LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 23: Mercedes Moné attends the Launch of Disney+ And Lucasfilm New TV Series “The Acolyte” at El Capitan Theatre on May 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
FilmMagic
HIGHLIGHTS
- Mercedes Moné responded to a question about John Cena’s retirement with a single word.
- Wrestling outlets are calling her reaction “icy” and “the coldest” of any industry response.
- The brief answer stands in stark contrast to WWE’s emotional tribute video featuring top stars.
WWE just released an awesome tribute for John Cena ahead of his final match on Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. The video featured most of the top stars in the company paying their respects to the GOAT. Not everyone is warm and fuzzy when it comes to Cena’s farewell match.
Former WWE star and current AEW pillar, Mercedes Moné fka Sasha Banks, was asked for her thoughts on Cena’s retirement. Rather than going into the respect-filled response that most people in the industry have delivered following similar questions, Moné simply said, “Goodbye.“
I have always been taught the concept of time, turf, tone. It means a message can be taken differently based on when, where and how it is delivered. For Moné’s response, the tone and lack of emotion is what may speak volumes.
What Did Mercedes Moné Actually Say?
TOKYO, JAPAN – JANUARY 05: Mercedes Mone celebrates the victory during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling – Wrestle Dynasty at Tokyo Dome on January 05, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Getty Images
During a recent Instagram Live session, a fan asked the TBS Champion what she thought about John Cena retiring at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Her response was as brief as it gets. She answered with just one word—”Goodbye”—delivered deadpan and without any follow-up explanation, stories, or visible emotion.
No tribute. No “thank you Cena.” No attempt to soften the answer. She simply moved on.
How Is the Media Framing Her Comments?
Wrestling outlets aren’t letting this slide without commentary. Ringside News described the clip as Moné giving “the coldest reaction yet” to Cena’s retirement, especially when contrasted with colleagues and commentators treating the match with GUNTHER as the end of an era.
It’s true, most of the industry is in tribute mode while Moné stayed blunt, which is why her one-word “Goodbye” came off as shade—or at least a pointed refusal to join the farewell festivities.
What’s the Mood Like Inside WWE?
The contrast between Moné’s response and the WWE locker room couldn’t be more pronounced. WWE’s tribute video featured everyone from Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns to younger stars like Austin Theory paying homage to Cena’s 23-year legacy.
Could This Be More Than Just a Cold Goodbye?
It’s worth noting that Moné’s WWE departure wasn’t exactly a warm split. She walked away from the company in 2022 under murky circumstances, and while she’s thrived in AEW since, it looks like there is bad blood on one or both sides..
Whether her one-word answer reflects lingering tension or simply her personality in the moment is anyone’s guess.
Moné is always in touch with her character, so you never know if her response is based on her allegiance to the persona. On the other hand, this happened on an IG Live and it could be argued this reaction was likely more authentic because of the situation and platform.
In any case, I’m not the only one that colored this response peculiarly.