Tony Khan has made AEW star feel like the next Hulk Hogan, WWE veteran claims (Exclusive)
WWE icon Hulk Hogan was allowed to influence his own storylines in WCW between 1994 and 2000. Vince Russo, a former WCW and WWE writer, believes AEW President Tony Khan has made Mercedes Moné feel like a modern-day version of The Hulkster.
Moné recently confirmed to TMZ Sports that she has creative control of her character in AEW. Since her first appearance for the company in March, the 32-year-old has won all four matches she has competed in. She also captured the AEW TBS and NJPW Strong Women's championships.
On Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws, host Dr. Chris Featherstone highlighted how Moné sometimes had problems backstage when she performed as Sasha Banks in WWE. Russo responded by expressing concerns about Khan making the new double champion the highest-paid woman in wrestling:
"Not only that, Chris, especially with what he's paid her. He's made her feel like she literally is Hulk Hogan. With the money he gave her, that's the precedent he set. I agree with you, bro. She's probably not gonna do the right thing [regarding her creative control]." [12:52 – 13:11]
Watch the video above to hear Russo address how a Britt Baker vs. Mercedes Moné feud should end.
Vince Russo on Mercedes Moné possibly receiving heat in AEW
At WCW Bash at the Beach 2000, Hulk Hogan and Vince Russo famously disagreed on what should happen on the show. While Russo was determined to make Booker T the world champion, Hogan allegedly decided he wanted to win the title at short notice.
Russo dislikes the idea of wrestlers having a say in how they are booked. In Mercedes Moné's case, he thinks her creative control deal can only work if she approaches her AEW run unselfishly:
"You've really gotta be mature to be able to handle that because you wanna let the locker room know, 'Listen, man, hey, I got creative control. If I was able to negotiate that, great, but it is gonna be about the team. It is gonna be about what's best for business.' But if you go the other way, bro, you're gonna have so much heat in that locker room," Russo added. [13:41 – 14:05]
Moné has defeated Skye Blue, Stephanie Vaquer, Willow Nightingale, and Zeuxis since joining AEW. Moving forward, she looks set to continue feuding with Britt Baker.
What do you make of Mercedes Moné having creative control? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
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