Mercedes Mone reflects on NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 10-year anniversary

  • Ian Carey
  • By 
Mercedes Mone

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone says her match with Bayley at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn in 2015 forever changed the landscape of women’s wrestling.

Mone reflected on the 10-year anniversary of the match in the latest edition of Mone Mag, writing:

“This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of a match; it’s a celebration of a pivotal moment that forever changed the landscape of women’s wrestling.“

“Happy 10th anniversary to the match that altered the course of my life and the trajectory of women’s wrestling! I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to my wrestling soulmate, Bayley. Thank you for being my partner in this journey—both in and out of the ring. The bond we share is unlike any other, and I can’t imagine navigating this incredible business without you. You have challenged me, inspired me, and, most importantly, stood by me. Together, we changed the game.”

Mone continued:

“Bayley and I took risks that night—pushing boundaries that had never been crossed by women in North America before. We didn’t even share half of our ideas with our trainers because we were too scared that they’d tell us no. But we believed in what we were doing and knew that we had a chance to make history.“

At the time of NXT TakeOver Brooklyn, Mone had been on the WWE main roster for a month, having debuted as a member of Team Bad in July 2015. She returned to NXT that October and again wrestled Bayley, this time in the challenger role for the NXT Women’s Championship. Bayley defeated Mone at NXT TakeOver Respect three falls to two in a 30-minute Ironwoman Match.

Bayley was two years into her run as The Hugger gimmick when she faced Mone at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. She first adopted the character in 2013 and kept it until turning heel in October 2019. Last night on WWE Raw, Bayley slipped back into the gimmick briefly during an in-ring segment with Lyra Valkyria. Our own Bryan Alvarez noted in his report on the show that Bayley’s inflatable tube men are set to return.