Former WWE Superstar Mercedes Moné lands movie role opposite Ruby Rose

The former Sasha Banks is starring in her first film.

By Stephanie Chase

14 Jan 2023

Jesse Grant

Former WWE Superstar Mercedes Moné (real name Mercedes Varnado) will star in upcoming action thriller The Collective, opposite Ruby Rose.

Moné, known to WWE fans as Sasha Banks, joins the film's cast which also includes Paul Ben-Victor, Lucas Till, Tyrese Gibson, and Don Johnson. She made her acting debut in 2020 in Disney+ Star Wars series, The Mandalorian.

Filming has already been completed on The Collective, which was shot in Boston, with Tom DeNucci directing.

Etsuo HaraGetty Images

The film's synopsis (via Deadline) reads: "A group of righteous assassins called The Collective take aim at a highly sophisticated human trafficking ring backed by a network of untouchable billionaires.

"With their backs against the wall, The Collective has no choice but to put their most important mission in the hands of rookie assassin, Sam Alexander (Till). What he lacks in experience he makes up for in savvy, grit, and a keen ability to improvise in the most dangerous situations. He is aided on his journey by Hugo (Gibson) and Liam (Johnson), former CIA operatives turned rogue vigilantes.

"They face off against Daisy (Rose), the cunning general manager of this evil, clandestine organisation. Sam must prove to himself, Liam and Hugo that he’s Collective material on this life-or-death, take-no-prisoners mission."

Moné will play Nikita, who is described as "the blade wielding company pit-bull and chief of security," who watches the back of Miro Lindell (Ben-Victor) "the auctioneer to a seedy underground cabal of billionaires bidding on human lives. "

WWE

In May, Moné and tag team partner Naomi walked out of a live Raw taping while they were the WWE Women's Tag Team champions. In December it was reported that Moné would be a free agent in January 2023.

Moné made her debut for NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 17 where she challenged Kari to a match for the IWGP Women’s Championship. She will face Kari at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose, California.

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