During the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 PPV event, Mercedes Mone (formerly Sasha Banks) made her debut with the promotion. Mercedes came down to the ring after Kairi (Sane) successfully defended the IWGP women’s title.
After a face-off in the ring, Mercedes attacked Kairi and left her laying. Mercedes cut a promo and challenged Kairi for the IWGP women’s title at Battle In The Valley in San Jose, CA on February 18th. Here is what Mercedes said…
“Congratulations on making history tonight. I also know a thing or two about making history. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the standard, the conversation, the blueprint and the CEO of this woman’s division. So Kairi, enjoy your IWGP Women’s Championship while you can, because at Battle in the Valley in San Jose I’m going to leave you bankrupt, bitch. And you can bank on Mone.”
Mercedes Mone to Kairi Sane at WrestleKingdom 17
Mercedes Varnado took to Twitter to issue thank-you messages as she prepared to make her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17. The WWE’s third Women’s Grand Slam Champion sent thank you messages to WWE, William Regal, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, the WWE Universe, her fanbase the Sasha Krew (who she said she loves so much), former WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, and, of course, Sasha Banks.
Mercedes Mone and Naomi have been away from WWE since walking out of a RAW taping in mid-May due to creative issues, while still the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. While they both remain on the active WWE roster, Banks is believed to be a free agent as of January 1. It was reported that Naomi is expected to return to WWE shortly. Naomi and Bayley are both in Japan this week to support Mone.