Pepperman works closely with Moné.
From 2017-2024, Jennifer Pepperman worked behind the scenes at WWE. She was a member of the creative team and prior to that period of her writing career, she directed and produced soap operas.
Pepperman would join All Elite Wrestling and was appointed as the company’s Vice President of Content Development. She was welcomed onto the AEW Unrestricted podcast and explained how she landed in AEW. The road kicked off via a conversation with Mercedes Moné and Jennifer was asked if she’d be interested in coming into AEW alongside the now-TBS Champion.
She brought up her time in WWE and believes it was great for her, but added that the working relationship between herself and Mercedes was special. Pepperman said after meeting Tony Khan, she knew she wanted to be in AEW.
It initially started with a conversation with Mercedes (Moné). I worked very closely with her at WWE and so it sort of started as a conversation and that she has this really great opportunity to come to this really great company and would I have any interest in coming along with her. First I have to say, I adore Mercedes, not only as a person but as a talent. She’s one of those people, she’s just really, really special. She’s someone who’s been a pioneer in this industry. People talk about breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings, well that’s exactly what Mercedes has done. She’s so inspiring to me. I think Mercedes doesn’t even actually know how talented she is and we just really connected creatively. I love the creative process. What I love most about the creative process is that it’s collaborative. I believe the creative process is best when it’s collaborative and Mercedes is a really great collaborator. We work really well together and I just believe in her so much. The WWE was a really great place for me. I worked with a lot of really great people there, I have a lot of friends there. I wish them well. But for me, Mercedes and I, our working relationship was really unique and really special and so, it was a chance to continue that journey wherever it might take us. So I’m just saying one of the things about coming to AEW… And then when I met with Tony (Khan), I immediately wanted to come work here. From his creativity, his passion, his joy, his love for professional wrestling, his mind. So, Mercedes was the first step and as soon as I met Tony, I was like, ‘I need to be here.’
Following up on the previous quote, Pepperman was asked to share how her work days at Dynamite compare to Collision. When Mercedes is at Dynamite, that’s the priority for Pepperman and her material for the show is first on the agenda.
A show day’s a little bit different on a Dynamite when Mercedes (Moné) is there than maybe Collision. On a Dynamite day, I’ve pretty much discussed whatever segments Mercedes and I are working on and I actually do sort of write out a segment for her so she can see it and I always find with talent, especially if they have a match, if they’re gonna cut a promo, it’s easier for you to write some words down for them and it’s easier to look at that and be like, ‘Okay, well I wanna say this. I don’t wanna say that. I wanna say this.’ Rather than them just starting from scratch. I mean, that’s just how I’m used to working. So, Mercedes and I would have probably emailed back or texted back a segment and then, if there’s something that needs to be rehearsed, we’ll rehearse it. But, then it’s just basically just rehearsing the promo with her and making sure she feels really good about it. Then, if there’s any other pretapes that I can jump in on and help on, just sort of lend a hand wherever I can sort of lend a hand.
Next up on the docket for Moné is a TBS Title defense against Britt Baker at AEW All In. The two talents clashed on the 8/14 edition of Dynamite.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit AEW Unrestricted with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
