Britt Baker returns at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door to confront Mercedes Mone

Image: JJ Williams

After more than ten months out of action, the doctor is back in as Britt Baker made her return to AEW during Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view to confront Mercedes Mone.

Following Mone’s win over Stephanie Vaquer that brought her the NJPW Strong Women’s title in addition to her own TBS title, Baker’s music hit to a thunderous reaction from the Long Island, New York, fans.

Baker stayed on the ramp, but stared down Mone as the champ champ stared right back at her, holding both title belts in the air. She didn’t cut any promo.

The two have never squared off before with August’s All In at London’s Wembley Stadium looking like a strong possibility for that first-time-ever clash.

Baker has been out of action since a September 2023 loss to Kris Statlander in a challenge for Statlander’s then-TBS title in Baker’s home state of Pennsylvania. It is believed to be due to a back injury, but that has yet to be fully disclosed. She made waves on social media over the weekend by being photographed with the former Bella Twins of WWE fame.

In interviews this week including with this website, AEW head Tony Khan made a point to mention Baker’s name and intimate she was close to returning.