The Forbidden Feud: Why Stephanie Vaquer Vs. Mercedes Moné Is Wrestling's Hottest Dream Match

The rivalry between Stephanie Vaquer and Mercedes Moné has transcended company lines, creating one of the most compelling and high-stakes feuds in modern professional wrestling. Their history, though brief, is defined by championship gold and the clash of two distinct international styles, culminating in a historic Title-for-Title match. As of December 15, 2025, the possibility of a rubber match has become the ultimate "Forbidden Door" scenario, with Vaquer now a rising star in WWE and Moné dominating the landscape in AEW, making a third encounter a true dream match for fans worldwide.

This article dives deep into their past encounters, analyzes the significance of their championship battle, and explores the current promotional landscape that makes a definitive third match a question of 'if' rather than 'when.' The stakes are higher than ever, and the wrestling world is waiting for the next chapter in this global rivalry.

Biographies: The 'Devil's Kiss' Meets 'The CEO'

To understand the magnitude of their rivalry, one must first look at the decorated careers of both women, who represent the pinnacle of their respective wrestling worlds.

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Stephanie Vaquer

• Ring Name: Stephanie Vaquer
• Real Name: Ana Stephanie Vaquer González
• Born: March 29, 1993 (Age 32 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: San Fernando, Chile
• Current Affiliation (2025): WWE (Raw/NXT Brand)
• Career Highlights: Former NJPW STRONG Women's Champion, former CMLL World Women's Champion, former CMLL Women's Tag Team Champion. She is known for her dominant run in CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) and her subsequent international success in Japan.
• Nicknames: La Primera, Devil's Kiss

Mercedes Moné

• Ring Name: Mercedes Moné
• Real Name: Mercedes Justine Kaestner Varnado
• Born: January 26, 1992 (Age 33 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Fairfield, California, U.S.
• Current Affiliation (2025): All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
• Career Highlights: Current AEW TBS Champion, Former IWGP Women's Champion, Former NJPW STRONG Women's Champion, and a multi-time Women's Champion during her previous tenure in WWE (as Sasha Banks).
• Nicknames: The CEO, The Boss

The Two Chapters: From Tournament to Title-for-Title Supremacy

The history between Vaquer and Moné is a concise but intense story told across two major pay-per-views, each raising the stakes considerably. Their first encounter was a crucial proving ground, while the second was a historic championship unification.

Chapter 1: NJPW Resurgence Tournament (May 2023)

The initial meeting between the two stars took place during the inaugural tournament for the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship. Stephanie Vaquer, representing CMLL and the burgeoning international women's scene, faced Mercedes Moné in the first round.

Moné, fresh off her debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, was the heavy favorite, but Vaquer delivered a performance that put the entire wrestling world on notice. The match was a hard-hitting affair that showcased Vaquer's technical prowess and Moné's explosive star power. Ultimately, Moné secured the victory, advancing in the tournament and planting the seed for a future, more significant rivalry.

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Chapter 2: AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door (June 2024)

The second match is the one that cemented their status as rivals and became a landmark moment in the "Forbidden Door" concept. By mid-2024, both women held major championships in different promotions, setting the stage for a massive Title-for-Title showdown.

• Stephanie Vaquer: NJPW STRONG Women's Champion
• Mercedes Moné: AEW TBS Champion

The match at Forbidden Door was a grueling, nearly 17-minute battle that saw both championships on the line. The winner would walk away as a double champion, holding gold from both AEW and NJPW. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Mercedes Moné defeated Stephanie Vaquer, capturing the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship and adding it to her AEW TBS Title.

This victory was a massive statement for Moné, solidifying her as a dominant international force and ending Vaquer's impressive run with the NJPW STRONG title. Vaquer’s performance, however, proved she could hang with one of the greatest female wrestlers of her generation on the biggest stage.

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The Divided Paths: Why a Rubber Match is the Ultimate Dream

The current state of professional wrestling has made a third, decisive match between Stephanie Vaquer and Mercedes Moné a tantalizing but logistically complex prospect. The two women are now the faces of rival companies, a split that elevates their feud to the level of a true "dream match."

Vaquer's Ascent in WWE

Following her title loss, Stephanie Vaquer made a monumental career move, signing with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in the latter half of 2024. Her arrival immediately brought a new level of international legitimacy to the WWE women's division, particularly on the NXT and Raw brands. Vaquer’s technical wrestling style, honed in the rings of CMLL and Stardom, offers a unique contrast to the established WWE roster.

Her focus is now on capturing the WWE Women's Crown or a major championship in her new home, leaving the NJPW/AEW chapter of her career behind. A third match would require a rare, unprecedented collaboration between WWE and AEW, a true "Forbidden Door" moment beyond the scope of the original NJPW/AEW partnership.

Moné's Reign in AEW and the International Scene

Mercedes Moné, meanwhile, has cemented her position as a cornerstone of All Elite Wrestling. As a double champion (AEW TBS and NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion), she holds significant leverage and a global spotlight. Her goals for 2025 include elevating the AEW women's division and potentially challenging for the AEW Women's World Championship, all while defending her international gold.

Moné’s current trajectory keeps her firmly rooted in the AEW and NJPW universe, constantly engaging with top-tier talent from both promotions, including potential future matches against stars like Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, and the women of Stardom.

Topical Authority: The Global Impact of the Vaquer/Moné Feud

The importance of the Stephanie Vaquer vs. Mercedes Moné rivalry extends far beyond their individual careers. It is a microcosm of the global expansion of women's professional wrestling and the breaking down of traditional barriers.

• International Crossover: The feud highlighted the talent of wrestlers from Lucha Libre (CMLL/Vaquer) and Joshi wrestling (Stardom/NJPW), proving they can headline major North American pay-per-views.
• Championship Prestige: The Title-for-Title match elevated the prestige of the NJPW STRONG Women's Championship and the AEW TBS Championship, showing that new titles can be immediately credible when held by world-class talent.
• Style Clash: The matches were a perfect blend of Vaquer's hard-hitting, submission-based offense—a style often seen in Mexico and Japan—and Moné's high-flying, athletic, and character-driven approach. This collision of styles is what fans crave.
• The Forbidden Door Legacy: Their second match is arguably one of the most significant women's matches in the history of the AEW x NJPW partnership, setting a high bar for future inter-promotional encounters.

The two women are now separated by the greatest divide in wrestling—the promotional wall between WWE and AEW. This separation only fuels the curiosity and desire for a rubber match. The score is 2-0 in favor of Moné, but Vaquer's new level of experience and the added legitimacy of her WWE affiliation mean a third match would be her best chance to redeem her losses and reclaim her status as a top international champion.

For now, fans can only speculate on the potential for a third, career-defining match. It remains the ultimate "what if" in women's wrestling, a testament to the explosive chemistry and world-class talent of Stephanie Vaquer and Mercedes Moné.