Maya World Says Women’s Owen Hart Cup Final Against Mercedes Mone at AEW Forbidden Door Is a Mission for Her Late Brother

For Maya World, the upcoming Women’s Owen Hart Cup final at AEW Forbidden Door 2026 is about far more than a championship opportunity. World, who will face Mercedes Mone in the tournament’s culminating match, has spoken openly about the deeply personal motivation driving her into that contest.

In a recent conversation with MuscleManMalcolm, World made clear that the match carries enormous emotional weight, describing it as a mission she’s undertaking for her late brother. She indicated the opportunity means everything to her — a sentiment that takes on added significance given the tournament’s namesake. The Owen Hart Cup was created in memory of the legendary Owen Hart, and World’s framing of her pursuit as a tribute to a loved one lost lends her path through the bracket a resonance that goes well beyond the competitive stakes.

Standing across the ring from her will be Mercedes Mone, one of the most decorated women’s wrestlers in the world today. Mone has established herself as a dominant force in AEW since her arrival, making the final an imposing challenge for World on paper. But if World’s words are any indication, she’s approaching this not merely as an underdog trying to pull off an upset — she’s approaching it as someone with unfinished personal business.

AEW Forbidden Door 2026 marks another installment of the joint pay-per-view event historically held in partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. With the Women’s Owen Hart Cup final now carrying this kind of emotional backdrop, it figures to be one of the more compelling matches on the card when the event takes place.