Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors on Mercedes Mone, Ilja Dragunov and More

Mercedes Mone made her return to AEW television on Wednesday night, and the former TBS champion headlines this collection of pro wrestling rumors.

Joining The CEO is the latest on former United States champion Ilja Dragunov and an update on the John Cena Classic, which was announced at WWE Backlash in May.

Dive deeper into each topic with these insider reports.

Latest on Mercedes Mone Amid Her AEW Return

Mercedes Mone returned to AEW television Wednesday night as the wild-card entrant in the women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament and defeated Alex Windsor to advance to the semifinals.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported "her involvement will have major ramifications for the top of the card in AEW." He also noted that it was always known she would be out until after the Dynasty pay-per-view.

Mone is an instant game-changer for the women's division in All Elite Wrestling. She immediately enhances the roster, and her match with Windsor on Wednesday night was a banger.

Having Mone back, especially with Toni Storm missing time through injury, only benefits the division and provides it with a legitimate top-level star around whom Tony Khan can build.

The question now is whether she becomes the first two-time Owen tournament winner after emerging victorious from last year's field or if a loss sets in motion her first major program since returning.

Latest on Ilja Dragunov

Cooper Neil/WWE via Getty Images

Sapp noted in the Fightful Select Answers Q&A segment regarding Ilja Dragunov, "I've not heard much of anything else recently, or him being involved in creative plans."

The former United States champion has not appeared on WWE television since the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the April 17 episode of SmackDown.

An intense fighter who got over with audiences because of that trait, it is disappointing for The Mad Dragon and the overall quality of SmackDown that he has not been featured more, especially since the blue brand has three hours to fill every Friday night.

Whatever the reason for his absence, hopefully it is a wrong that WWE Creative rectifies soon by getting one of the more talented in-ring performers on the roster back in front of TV audiences.

Latest on the John Cena Classic

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Despite a lack of updates on it since the formal announcement at Backlash, the John Cena Classic is still coming but not until later this year, per Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com.

The 17-time world champion announced the tournament, which will feature main roster competitors against NXT stars, at the PLE on May 9.

Cena said the tournament winner would not necessarily be the wrestler with the most wins, but the one who showed the most heart and determination.

The first of its kind, this is a fresh idea from WWE Creative—something fans have not been treated to in some time—that should pique interest later in the year.