AEW: Mercedes Mone on Athena Being One of Greatest Women’s Wrestlers of All-Time, Brian Cage Underwent Knee Surgery, Bear Bronson on His Current Absence “Almost Feels Like I’m Paying For Someone Else’s Crimes”

A recent episode of 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Hardy show featured Mercedes Mone as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Mone’s thoughts about her upcoming Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament match against Athena and her belief that Athena is one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all-time.

“I’m going to be performing and wrestling against Athena, who is the longest reigning Ring Of Honor champion of all time, she’s held this title for over 800 days. Insane. She is one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all time, so I have goosebumps for tomorrow, it’s been one of my dream matches. Before I even made it to WWE, I had my eyes on Athena, so this is something I’m really excited for.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Brian Cage Injury Status Update – Cage Underwent Successful Knee Surgery

As noted before, Brian Cage has been out of action for AEW since this past March due to an undisclosed injury.

Cage provided an update on Monday on Instagram stating that he recently underwent successful surgery for his knee. Cage also stated that he also recently returned back to the gym to train for his in-ring return.

“Got cleared to go to the gym, do some physical therapy, do a little bit of this, do a little bit of that. Awesome, awesome step forward. Definitely [the] uplift that I needed today. Have a lot of friends coming in pretty soon here this week and weekend. I should be a little bit more mobile than I thought I would be. So, could be fun. Could be a good time.”

Brian Cage reveals that he has had a surgical procedure done to his injured knee.

Speedy recovery to The Machine 🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/3IcrBUvtwq

— 🅰️🅾️ (@KXNGAO) April 14, 2025

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Bear Bronson on His Current Absence from AEW & ROH and “Almost Feels Like I’m Paying For Someone Else’s Crimes”

As noted before, Bear Bronson, also known as Bulk Bronson, has been absent from AEW and Ring of Honor since this past December due to a back injury. Bronson made his in-ring return this past February for the indies but has yet to make his return to AEW and ROH. During his time away, Bronson’s tag team partner Boulder was fired from AEW this past January due to his arrest for a domestic battery incident.

In a recent response to a fan on Twitter, Bronson stated that he currently feels like he has been ignored and forgotten by AEW and how it feels like “I’m paying for someone else’s crimes” for his current absence.

“Trying my best.

I’m forgotten & ignored, just being honest. Almost feels like I’m paying for someone else’s crimes.

But whatever, I’m doing everything I can. My wife, family, fans, wrestlers & many others have been there for me lifting me up & pushing me to succeed on my own.”

Trying my best.

I’m forgotten & ignored, just being honest. Almost feels like I’m paying for someone else’s crimes.

But whatever, I’m doing everything I can. My wife, family, fans, wrestlers & many others have been there for me lifting me up & pushing me to succeed on my own. https://t.co/t2068m9UwO

— Bear Bronson (@bearbronsonBC) April 14, 2025