Sadly, we will not be seeing Mercedes Martinez in an NXT ring for the foreseeable future.
Last Friday, she was among the 13 superstars and officials released in the latest round of talent cuts. Martinez last wrestled during the June 30 episode of NXT, where she suffered a legitimate concussion in a mixed tag match against Tian Sha.
While seeing talent lose their jobs is never fun, it could be a blessing in disguise. Most, if not all, will land on their feet and join another company. This opens the door for plenty of fresh and new matchups for everyone involved.
So, we here at Team TWM decided to come up with five dream opponents for Mercedes Martinez. Let’s get into it!
Ruby Soho
First up is another name WWE fans should be familiar with.
Ruby Soho—formerly Ruby Riott—was released from WWE back on June 2. Her last match with the company was on May 28, where she and Liv Morgan lost to Natalya and Tamina. With her 90 days no-compete clause set to expire soon, rumours have circulated about her potentially joining AEW. Martinez’s clause is only 30 days, which means these two could sign around the same time.
Believe it or not, Martinez and Soho have only wrestled once before. They faced off at Shine Wrestling’s Shine 15 pay-per-view on December 13, 2013, where Martinez defeated Soho. Since then, they have evolved into amazing competitors, so now is the perfect time for them to face off again.
Both women are rough and rugged, not to mention technically sound in the ring. They wouldn’t put on the flashiest match, but their hard-hitting styles would still make it extremely entertaining.
These two could easily battle over who the baddest woman really is. Hopefully, we’ll get to see it happen sooner rather than later.
Mickie James
Up next is a fellow long-time veteran of the ring.
Like Martinez, Mickie James has over 20 years of experience under her belt. She has wrestled for numerous promotions, most notably TNA and WWE. After being released from the latter in April, she returned to Impact Wrestling during Slammiversary. She also debuted for NWA, where she will serve as an executive producer for NWA EmPowerrr, the company’s first all-women’s pay-per-view.
She also plans to return to the ring, issuing an open challenge to anyone who wants to face her at NWA’s 73rd Anniversary Show on August 29. How about someone like Mercedes Martinez?
They have wrestled only three times before, with their most recent encounter being in 2010. A showdown between them could easily write itself; two veterans proving they still have plenty left in the tank.
Martinez and James would no doubt leave it all in the ring. Whenever it happens, us fans will get to enjoy every second of it.
Thunder Rosa
Then comes one of the most recent signees to AEW.
Rosa’s work in Ring of Honor, Women of Wrestling, Tokyo Joshi Pro, and NWA had fans begging AEW to sign her. She finally made her debut for the promotion on August 22, 2020, challenging then-AEW Women’s World Champion, Hikaru Shida. Almost a year after she debuted, on July 22, 2021, she was officially signed by AEW.
There aren’t many women out there tougher than Rosa. Who could forget her Unsanctioned Lights Out match against Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. this past March? However, Martinez is someone that could easily stand toe-to-toe with her.
These two have some history together, but mainly in tag team action. They faced off three times in Shine when Martinez and Ivelisse were Las Sicarias and Rosa and Holidead were The Twisted Sisters. Their only singles match came on July 27, 2019, where Rosa defeated Martinez.
Much like Martinez and Soho, a match between Martinez and Rosa would be hard-hitting from the get-go. Both women lay their shots in every time and would hold absolutely nothing back. Fans will surely be in for a treat whenever these two cross paths again.
Kamille
Next, we look at the current NWA Women’s World Champion.
Kamille has taken the indies by storm since her debut in 2017. She has already faced the likes of Rosa, Isla Dawn, Kiera Hogan, and Shotzi Blackheart. On June 6 at NWA’s When Our Shadows Fall pay-per-view, she defeated Serena Deeb to win the NWA Women’s World Championship.
She is currently slated to defend the title in a few weeks against Leyla Hirsch at NWA Empowerrr. If she retains, she will surely need some new competition. Maybe she needs a visit from the Latina Sensation.
While Kamille—standing at 5’10”—towers over most of her competition, Martinez would not be intimidated. This would be a first-time matchup between the two and could be very entertaining if done right.
Beating a veteran like Mercedes Martinez can further establish Kamille as champion. It could also go the other way by having Martinez serve her some humble pie and knock her off her high horse. Either way, a showdown between both women would be very interesting to watch.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
Finally, we come to everyone’s favourite Role Model and current AEW Women’s World Champion.
Baker’s meteoric rise to the top started once she turned heel in January 2020. Since then, she has been on a roll and hasn’t looked back. She capped her run in May at Double or Nothing, where she dethroned Shida to take her place atop the AEW women’s division. With gold around her waist, she continues to be one of the top women’s wrestlers today.
If Martinez signs with AEW, this could create a unique situation for her and Baker. The champ mentioned a few weeks ago that she needed someone to watch her and Rebel’s backs. Perhaps she could bring Martinez in to be her heavy for a little while.
Once Martinez gets tired of dealing with the Good Doctor, or vice versa, the alliance could end, and Baker immediately has a new challenger. The savvy ring veteran could teach the cocky young champ a hard lesson about respect, while Baker could look to put Martinez down for good.
This could have the potential to be another big feud for Baker, just like with Rosa. Not only could it further cement her spot as one of AEW’s top stars, but it could also reestablish Martinez as a threat as well. If this is a possibility, we may not have to wait long to see it play out.
Honourable mentions: Deonna Purrazzo, Rosemary, Su Yung, Jordynne Grace, Kimber Lee, Kylie Rae
With her decades of experience and talent, Mercedes Martinez will surely find a new promotion to call home. Hopefully soon, we will once again see the Latina Sensation back inside the squared circle.
Who do you want to see Mercedes Martinez face? Let us know in the comments below!