If you watched Friday, you might expect this SmackDown heel turn coming, if indeed it happens. Plus, Mercedes Mone seeks a new deal.
SmackDown Heel Turn Coming
While it’s still just a rumor, it seems a SmackDown heel turn is coming soon.
And, if you were paying attention during the April 14th show, you likely saw lots of hints about it.
On our most recent SmackDown, babyface Shinsuke Nakamura made his long-awaited return.
For his return match, he faced fellow babyface Madcap Moss, accompanied by Emma.
Moss and Emma are also a couple in real life, though admittedly that doesn’t factor into this equation, so far as I know.
Prior to the match, Emma gave Moss a bit of a pep talk. It seemed a bit more…heelish.
And that probably was not accidental, as we saw how things unfolded.
The Sportster put forth a suggestion that all of the actions from Moss and Emma on Friday could mean a SmackDown heel turn coming soon.
Being up front, this is not yet supported by deep insider chatter that there are plans in the work for such a heel turn…but it does not get much more obvious.
Outside of the promo, Moss trying to attack Nakamura following his quick defeat is a textbook heel move.
Perhaps the only way it could or would be more obvious would be if Nakamura had been unable to fend off Moss.
So, while this possible heel turn is currently more speculative than fact…things are lining up and it seems all too likely.
More importantly, a Moss heel turn just makes sense.
While it wasn’t that long ago where we saw Madcap Moss get an unlikely title match…it feels like it was years ago.
Madcap Moss got a little over as a babyface for turning on Baron Corbin…but things fizzled.
Giving him and Emma the heel treatment-especially if they can execute it well?
That could give WWE a new and fresh mid-card heel couple to work with.
Though, if indeed the plan is to turn Moss…I beg WWE to let him go back to using Riddick.
It may not help, but it won’t hurt…and Madcap has done him no favors.
Mercedes Mone Seeks New Deal
Fan had long hoped for her WWE return, so this won’t help them…but word is Mercedes Mone seeks a new deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Currently, Mone holds the IWGP Women’s title.
Mone, the former Sasha Banks in WWE, walked out on the company in 2022.
There was constant chatter that she might return, especially when Triple H rose to power.
However, and in spite of reports indicating things had been resolved, she became a free agent.
And, once free, the newly minted Mercedes Mone debuted for New Japan and challenged for the women’s title.
She won it shortly after, and now she seeks a new deal.
Seems really fast to want a new deal, but per reports, her initial NWJP deal was a short-term one.
Hence why she’s already angling for a new deal.
But, even that talk isn’t as involved as it sounds, unless we are being given iffy information.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Mone’s existing NJPW deal has one remaining match on it.
That remaining match is scheduled to happen April 23rd.
With just one match left, an extension makes sense…but here’s where it becomes a little surprising to me.
Per Metzler, Mone has requested an extension, but only for one more match.
Admittedly I am not well aware of how NJPW works contracts with talent, but having a contract for a number of matches is not noteworthy.
What I found noteworthy was that Mone, one of the hotter free agents, only inked a limited number of matches, and now might only be seeking a one match extension.
Time for me to read between the lines, but I can’t help but wonder if the extremely brief extension points to Mone having television work lined up…or if she plans to join an American promotion.
I have no doubt that WWE creative folks wouldn’t mind having her back, and AEW would also be interested.
But, she could also simply have film projects coming up and needs the time away.
