Sasha Banks debuted in New Japan Pro Wrestling, appearing on the huge Wrestle Kingdom 17 show.
Sasha Banks did not appear on professional wrestling programming after her exit from Monday Night Raw on May 16, alongside Naomi. Reports have been circulating in the past month or so that Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, will be appearing at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 show.
Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened at the annual January 4th parade. Banks appeared at the Tokyo Dome, as Mercedes Moon, after Kairi defended the IWGP Women’s Championship against Tam Nakano. Mone attacked Kairi after they shook hands, and challenged her to Battle at the Valley in San Jose, California on February 18.
You can check out Banks’ official NJPW debut in the tweet below, courtesy of NJPW World.
Sasha Banks debuts in NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 17 as Mercedes Mone
Banks notably walked out of the spot on the May 16 episode of Raw alongside Naomi due to creative differences with the company. Banks and Naomi were both WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at the time, but the company officially vacated the titles days later.
Since then, neither Banks nor Naomi has appeared on professional wrestling programming.
Raj Geary of Wrestling Inc. reported in June that Banks had negotiated her exit from WWE. Fightful Select confirmed (subscription required) On December 15, Banks’ exit was negotiated.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported On December 8, Banks was scheduled to appear at Wrestle Kingdom 17. However, the report indicated at the time that it was unknown if she would appear in public.
During her tenure in WWE, Banks won the Raw Women’s Championship five times, the SmackDown Women’s Championship once, the NXT Women’s Championship once, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship three times. One night of WrestleMania 37 for the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair.
Will Sasha Banks appear on AEW Dynamite on January 11th?
There was speculation as to whether Banks would appear in All Elite Wrestling.
On the January 11 episode of AEW Dynamite, Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, is expected to have a mystery tag team partner in her match against AEW World Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter and Dr. Brett Baker, the name DMD Banks. One of the best names fans have speculated about.
As of this writing, it is not known if this was the plan. According to Fightful Select (subscription required)However, AEW talent told the outlet that they were “not sold” on Banks being Saraya’s tag team partner, but the talent in the closet believed it would be her.
We’ll find out as soon as we get closer to the January 11th show, or sooner.
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