Sasha Banks stunned the wrestling world by making her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17. Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks, debuted under her new ring persona.
IT’S MERCEDES MONÉ!@mercedesvarnado is in the Tokyo Dome!!!#wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/PD54lqLr1L
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 4, 2023
Moné attacked the champion KAIRI after she successfully defended the IWGP Women’s Championship vs Tam Nakano at Wrestle Kingdom 17. After beating KAIRI, Moné announced herself as “The CEO” and stated that she would be attending the champion at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose, CA.
Mercedes Varnado thanked multiple individuals who inspired her life and her career in a series of tweets earlier today. She thanked WWE, Triple H, Vince McMahon, William Regal, the WWE Universe, her fans, and Sasha Banks individually on Twitter.
Mercedes Varnado thanks WWE. pic.twitter.com/FZjBUSwTva
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) January 4, 2023
Banks’ appearance inside the Tokyo Dome is her first appearance inside a ring after she and Naomi walked out of “WWE Raw” in May 2022. After the departure, there was uncertainty regarding her wrestling future. Mercedes’ move to drop the champ wasn’t really clean, and she appeared hesitant to make her first promo after almost seven months.
Fans react to Sasha Banks’ debut at NJPW
On Day 1 of Wrestle Kingdom 17, former WWE Superstar Sasha Banks made a historic NJPW debut as Mercedes Moné. She challenged IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi to a match at the forthcoming Battle in the Valley show in February.
This is what I want! #wk17 #njpw #STARDOM pic.twitter.com/P7OnKqbQSW
— Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023
Fans are overjoyed to see the former WWE Women’s Tag Team champion return to the ring. Despite the fact that few fans have voiced their support online, some have criticized her for botching her very first move in the promotion.
With this beautiful botch, Mercedes Mone aka Sasha Banks is destined to be #allelite #AEW #gamechanger #njpwworld #WRESTLEKINGDOM17 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2h2xrlV4lS
— Kenny Olivier (@KennyOlivier69) January 4, 2023
ngl the hair dye reminds me of tyler the creator#MercedesMone pic.twitter.com/Omk6wf29ce
— M4CE? (@m444ce) January 4, 2023
Her followers are delighted to have Sasha back, and they have showered her with tweets, making the hashtag #MercedesMone trend worldwide.
New gear, new hairstyle, new entrance theme new year, new name and a new era Mercedes Mone looks freakin’ awesome congratulations @MercedesVarnado I’m so happy for you!!!! ❤️❤️😘😘💜💜🤗🤗 #NJPW #WRESTLEKINGDOM17 #MercedesMone https://t.co/2nVCkWVOlp
— Cameron C. Isabell🔴🔥🐉💯🤙🏾☄️🙌🏾🚀 (@Cam_Dogg23) January 4, 2023
My GOAT. My love. My queen. She’s going to SOAR and do wonders for @njpwworld and @wwr_stardom’s Women’s division. She’s making her dreams come true and UNAPOLOGETICALLY knowing her worth.
Mercedes Mone’ is here. @MercedesVarnado #HWP #TheGOAT #mercedesmone #theCEO pic.twitter.com/ZJyAT6lvXs
— Stephanie Hardy (@QueenStephHardy) January 4, 2023
She looks SO GOOD 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥
LOOK AT MERCEDES MONÉ 😍🔥#wk17 #njwk17 #MercedesMone pic.twitter.com/137Wj6ZomY— Anthony S (@StraderZane) January 4, 2023
Mone will face IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi at the Battle in the Valley event in February. We hope she can live up to the hype surrounding her name and put her haters to rest.