AZM issues challenge to Mercedes Mone for IWGP Women’s title

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

AZM wants a shot at Mercedes Mone and the IWGP Women’s World Championship.

The High Speed Champion issued a challenge to Mone on Monday during a Stardom press conference. Mone has mentioned AZM in recent interviews as someone from the Stardom roster she would like to face. 

Mone responded on social media to AZM’s comments:

Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the possibility of a Mone vs. AZM match on Tuesday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer said:

Azumi (AZM) was at a press conference and challenged Mercedes, so I think that’s going to be the April 8 (Sakura Genesis) match at Sumo Hall, which would be her first match in Japan. 

I know they had talked about KAIRI getting a rematch but Azumi is a different match. In that sense, Azumi is a really fast, great, technical, athletic wrestler. 

I really enjoy watching Azumi, as far as her matches, they are really good. 

AZM has a title challenger to get through before potentially facing Mone, however. The 20-year-old is scheduled to defend her High Speed Championship against Starlight Kid on the March 4 Yoyogi PPV. 

Mone and Club Venus leader, Mina Shirakawa, were also involved in a back-and-forth on Twitter recently. Shirakawa asked Mone “Who decided that you are the CEO of the women’s division of NJPW and STARDOM?”

Monet responded: 

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Ian Carey
Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has appeared in award-winning publications such as NOW Magazine and The Huffington Post. He joined the F4WOnline team in 2019 and was named managing editor in the summer of 2026. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Ian has covered professional wrestling for more than 15 years.