Zayda Steel’s recent singles match with Mercedes Moné on AEW Collision was more than another high-profile opportunity early in her All Elite Wrestling run. For Steel, it was the realization of a personal dream that left her trying to compose herself before the bell even rang.
Steel faced Moné on the August 15 edition of Collision, a match she later called her “ultimate dream match.” Speaking in a new interview, Steel opened up about the weight of the moment and revealed that her entrance was particularly emotional. The rising AEW talent said she had to keep herself from crying when her music began.
“My music hit, and instantly, I try to hold back tears on my entrance. Like, I’ve never blinked out that quick in a match. That was like my comfort wrestler, you know? You know when you deal with a lot in life, and you have your, like, comfort people? Mercedes was always that for me, and to get that early on year one. I haven’t even been in AEW for a year, and I got my dream match already, so I already know after year one, I’m only gonna get better and better, so Mercedes, we’re gonna run it back. Whatever I said earlier, yeah, bring that clip up later when I beat her.”
A Defining Opportunity Early in Steel’s AEW Journey
Steel’s comments underline why the Moné match meant so much to her. A dream match can carry different meanings for different wrestlers: sometimes it is about testing oneself against an established star, sometimes it is about sharing a ring with a childhood favorite, and sometimes it becomes a marker of how quickly a new career chapter has progressed. In Steel’s case, her description of Moné as a “comfort wrestler” made the experience deeply personal.
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That feeling also speaks to Moné’s standing within modern wrestling. Over the course of her career, Moné has built a connection with fans and performers who view her not simply as a major name, but as a wrestler whose performances and presence have had a lasting impact. Steel’s remarks place her among those who found inspiration in Moné’s work long before they had an opportunity to meet in competition.
The emotional response did not prevent Steel from embracing the significance of the moment. Instead, she viewed it as motivation. Steel emphasized that she received a matchup with her dream opponent before completing a full year in AEW, and she sees that as a promising sign for what can follow as she gains more experience.
Her conclusion was not merely reflective, either. Steel made clear that she wants another shot at Moné in the future, projecting confidence that her development will eventually lead her to a victory over the AEW star. It was a bold closing statement from a wrestler who recognizes the gap in experience but is not intimidated by it.
Mercedes Moné Remains a Major Measuring Stick
Facing a talent of Moné’s stature presents a valuable moment for any wrestler still establishing themselves on a national platform. The match gave Steel an opportunity to compete in a prominent AEW setting against an opponent whose résumé and reputation make her one of the company’s most recognizable figures.
For younger or less-established wrestlers, matches like this can often be defining regardless of the result. They provide a chance to show poise in a bigger environment, adapt to a seasoned opponent’s pace, and demonstrate that they belong in the conversation alongside more familiar names. Steel’s reaction indicates she understands the importance of the assignment without treating it as the final destination.
That distinction matters. Steel did not present the August 15 bout as the completion of her ambitions. She framed it as an early milestone—one she is proud of, but one that has sharpened her desire to improve. Her comments suggest that the experience of standing across the ring from Moné reinforced her belief that continued growth can create even bigger opportunities down the line.
The possibility of a rematch is naturally part of that outlook. Steel explicitly said, “Mercedes, we’re gonna run it back,” before predicting that viewers could revisit the comments when she eventually defeats Moné. There is no indication that another match has been scheduled, but Steel has put her goal on record.
From Emotion to Ambition
There is a notable contrast in Steel’s account of the night. She entered the arena trying not to cry, overwhelmed by the chance to wrestle someone she had admired. Yet by the end of her reflection, she was talking about returning to the matchup with the aim of winning it. That transition captures an important part of a wrestler’s evolution: respect for a role model can coexist with the competitive belief required to challenge them.
Steel’s willingness to share that vulnerable entrance moment also offers a clear window into the reality behind a major televised match. Wrestlers are expected to perform with confidence in front of a live crowd and television audience, often while managing nerves, pressure, excitement, and personal significance. Steel said she had “never blinked out that quick in a match,” illustrating how swiftly she had to regain focus once the music hit.
Once the entrance was over, the task was to compete. That ability to move from an emotional personal milestone into a professional assignment is central to what makes opportunities like the Moné match so valuable. Even when a wrestler is sharing the ring with an idol, the match requires preparation, timing, resilience, and the confidence to make the most of every opening.
Steel’s comments show that she is looking at the experience through both lenses. Moné was someone who had been meaningful to her as a fan, but she was also the opponent across the ring on Collision. Steel can celebrate the first part while building toward the second.
Steel Also Discusses Her Place in AEW
Elsewhere in the same conversation, Steel discussed being the first Arab woman to compete in AEW. That distinction adds further significance to her position within the company and to the visibility of her appearances. Representation is not separate from the in-ring journey; for performers who break new ground, each televised opportunity can carry meaning beyond the immediate match.
In the context of the Moné bout, Steel’s perspective reflects both personal and professional momentum. She is still early in her AEW tenure, yet she has already received the chance to face the wrestler she identifies as her ultimate dream opponent. She also understands that the moment can be a starting point rather than a peak.
Steel’s confidence about what comes next was one of the strongest elements of her reflection. Rather than being satisfied with simply having shared the ring with Moné, she spoke about getting better “year one” and beyond. The challenge now is to turn that ambition into continued progress whenever AEW gives her the platform.
For now, the August 15 edition of AEW Collision stands as an especially meaningful entry in Steel’s young AEW story. It gave her the dream match she wanted, brought genuine emotion to the surface before the opening bell, and left her with a clear target for the future: another meeting with Mercedes Moné, this time with Steel aiming to prove how far she has come.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.