Tag: Mercedes Varnado

Mercedes Mone Signs Contract Extension With NJPW/STARDOM – UPDATED Information

Mayu Iwatani defeated Mercedes Moné to win the IWGP Women’s Championship in the penultimate match at STARDOM All-Star Grand Queendom.

While Mone isn’t the IWGP Women’s Champion anymore, she will stay with NJPW and STARDOM for the immediate future.

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Mone signed a contract extension with Bushiroad ahead of her title defense at STARDOM All-Star Grand Queendom. It’s unknown how long the contract extension is.

Following her loss at All-Star Grand Queendom, Mone announced that she will appear at NJPW Resurgence on May 21st in Los Angeles, CA.

Source: eWrestlingNews

UPDATE

New information suggests that Moné’s extension may be short-term instead of long-term.

Fightful Select has learned from people in Mone’s camp that the former IWGP Women’s Champion has no more dates with Stardom, and only one more date with NJPW, scheduled to be the Resurgence event in Long Beach, California on May 21. While future dates for NJPW in Japan weren’t dismissed, it was noted that none were planned as of now, which would effectively make Moné a free agent following her Resurgence appearance.

Despite that, things appear to be rosy between Moné and the Bushiroad promotions, with both sides being open to doing business again in the future. Those in Stardom, in particular, appear to be thrilled with Moné’s recent work with Mayu Iwatani in the promotion and believe Mone helped boost Stardom’s business. Due to that, however, it’s expected that a “bigger renegotiation” would be required to obtain Moné’s services for her to appear in Stardom again.

As has been the case after previous reports of Moné’s contract status with Bushiroad, speculation will now turn to where she could wind up following her Resurgence appearance, with WWE (where she worked as Sasha Banks for over a decade) and AEW serving as the leading candidates. Whether Moné would entertain joining either promotion is unknown, as it was noted she is currently working on TV and film projects, in addition to her wrestling commitments.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) Makes NJPW Debut At Wrestle Kingdom 17

It is indeed ‘Boss Time’ at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 as Sasha Banks has made her debut for the promotion.

In the second match of the main card, IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI retained her title against Tam Nakano.

Post-match, Banks, now going by the name Mercedes Mone, appeared and posed in the ring, before challenging KAIRI to a Women’s Championship match.

Mone would attack KAIRI and vow to leave the IWGP Women’s Champion bankrupt when they face off for the title.

The match between KAIRI and Mone has been set for NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose, California.

Mone’s arrival was later shared via tweet by the NJPW Global account.

Source: ewrestlingnews

Report: Sasha Banks To Compete For STARDOM In April 2023

Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) is set to compete for STARDOM in April 2023, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Banks has finished with WWE, and will be appearing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4.

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that Banks has a deal with New Japan, but that it will include one date for STARDOM, expected for their April 2023 event.

It is believed that the show will take place in the iconic Sumo Hall and will be announced on December 29.

The hope within NJPW is that Banks will drive streaming subscription sales for New Japan World like Chris Jericho did when he debuted for the promotion.

Source: ewrestlingnews

AEW Roster “Excited” At Possibility Of Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) Joining Soon

The AEW roster is “excited” over the prospect that Sasha Banks could be ‘All Elite’ within a matter of weeks.

Banks has not been seen on WWE TV since May and is serving a suspension for walking out of an episode of RAW.

This week, it was reported that Banks is expected to appear at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom event on January 4, 2023.

Fightful Select reports that several AEW stars are “excited” and believe that Banks’ Wrestle Kingdom outing could be a sign of her arrival in AEW.

One anonymous source said they believe Banks joining could turn around the promotion’s TV ratings.

Some have suggested that Banks could be Saraya’s mystery partner, as the British star and her partner will face Britt Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter on the January 11th episode of AEW Dynamite, one week after Wrestle Kingdom.

Source: EWrestlingNews

Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) Will Reportedly Be At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

Mercedes Varnado (also known as Sasha Banks in WWE) is expected to be at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, according to a report from Pwinsider.

It’s unclear whether she will just be in attendance for the show or appearing on the broadcast, but she’s being brought in. This comes after she expressed interest in wrestling former WWE Superstar KAIRI in STARDOM, a sister company to NJPW.

Due to creative differences, Banks walked out of WWE at a Monday Night RAW TV taping back in May. She and Naomi were later indefinitely suspended. Both women have made several public appearances since the walkout.

This past August, it was reported that Banks and Naomi had reached an agreement to return to WWE. However, their return has yet to happen as there have been hang-ups in negotiations for a new deal with Banks due to money.

Source: EWrestlingNews