Mercedes Mone retains IWGP Women’s title, next challenger announced

Mercedes Mone successfully defended her IWGP Women’s title in a three-way match earlier today at the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Sakura Genesis event which took place at the Ryogoku Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Mone was challenged by STARDOM’s AZM and Hazuki and the ending came when Mone hit her new finisher the Money Maker on AZM, landing her on Hazuki for the pin.

Immediately following the match, her new number one contender came forward. Mayu Iwatani challenged Mone at the STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom pay-per-view set for later this month on April 23 in Yokohama, Japan. Mone accepted the challenge by slapping Iwatani hard.

“I’ll see you on April 23,” Mone wrote on Twitter, retweeting the official announcement of the match and the photo of the slap.

★第5試合

「IWGP女子選手権試合3WAYマッチ」
メルセデス・モネvs AZM vs葉月

モネが大接戦を制して初防衛をマーク！

試合後に現れた岩谷へ強烈なビンタをお見舞い！

※4.8『SAKURA GENESIS』両国大会
新日本プロレスのスマホサイトで詳報中！

https://t.co/IPMnC9tnY8
#njpw #njSG pic.twitter.com/8WMoYvPwwm

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) April 8, 2023