Mercedes Varnado has made her NJPW debut.
The former Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, made her NJPW debut at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, during the Wrestle Kingdom 17 event. Moné confronted IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI following her successful title defense against Tam Nakano.
Moné first congratulated KAIRI on her victory and extended her hand for a handshake, but then Moné laid KAIRI out. Moné took the microphone and declared that she is in NJPW and Stardom to make history, referring to herself as the CEO of the women’s division. The WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion then promised to dethrone KAIRI at the NJPW Battle In The Valley event on Saturday, February 18 in San Jose, California.
Moné’s WWE career began in August 2012, when she signed her first contract. She and Naomi walked out of a RAW taping in mid-May due to creative differences, despite being the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at the time. Moné is said to have become a free agent on January 1st of this year. She is the fourth Women’s Triple Crown Champion, the third Women’s Grand Slam Champion, a one-time WWE NXT Champion, a five-time RAW Women’s Champion, a one-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, and a three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion when she leaves WWE.
Complete NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 results are available by clicking here. Here are highlights from Moné’s NJPW debut:
IT’S MERCEDES MONÉ!@mercedesvarnado is in the Tokyo Dome!!!#wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/PD54lqLr1L
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 4, 2023
Mercedes Moné is here!
Welcome to #njpw, @mercedesvarnado!#njwk17 pic.twitter.com/MCuWSs99y4
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 4, 2023
Mercedes Mone FKA Sasha Banks arrived in New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17 and challenged Kari for the IWGP Women's Title for February 18th at Battle in the Valley!#MercedesMone #WrestleKingdom pic.twitter.com/D53BDA0VAw
— Balor Club Guy (@TheBalorClubGuy) January 4, 2023
Am with #SashaBanks aka @MercedesVarnado aka #MercedesMone to the very end of the earths! Good luck in NJWP Boss! pic.twitter.com/ClE19H3AOt
— Alpha Ayiol Daikuei (@DaikueiA19) January 4, 2023
AINT NO ONE STOPPING HER NOW??#SashaBanks #GOAT? #Njpw pic.twitter.com/jwQpqiuRu3
— Bαყʅҽɳ ✯ #ThankYouSasha (@ROLEM0D3L) January 4, 2023
Sasha Banks’ era is over but Mercedes Mine’s era just started! Welcome back to the CEO of the Stardom’s company! MERCEDES MONE’!!! ??@MercedesVarnado #sashabanks #mercedesmone #mercedesvarnado #wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/YewPA2rH0I
— mercedesmone_italian_world?✨ (@Lola29364027) January 4, 2023
