Sasha Banks debuts for NJPW as Mercedes Moné

"You can bank on Moné."

By Stephanie Chase

4 Jan 2023

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Sasha Banks has made her first post-WWE appearance at New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Now going by Mercedes Moné, the former WWE Raw Women's Champion made her debut at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday (January 4) following Kari's successful defence of the IWGP Women’s Championship against Tam Nakano.

At the conclusion of the match, the lights went out and a video played showing Mercedes dancing before she walked out in front of the crowd.

New Japan Pro Wrestling

Mercedes then went face-to-face with Kari in the ring and laid her out. Taking the microphone, Mercedes introduced herself and said she was in New Japan and Stardom to make history.

Describing herself as both the "blueprint" and the "CEO of this women's division", Mercedes then challenged Kari to a match, a NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose, California.

Mercedes ended by saying: "I'm going to leave you bankrupt, bitch, and you can bank on Moné."

IT’S MERCEDES MONÉ!@mercedesvarnado is in the Tokyo Dome!!!#wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/PD54lqLr1L
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 4, 2023

Related: Is Sasha Banks done with WWE?

In May, Mercedes and Naomi walked out of a live Raw taping while they were the WWE Women's Tag Team champions.

Mercedes hadn't wrestled since but had been seen training with LuchaLibre Barcelona in Spain and with WCW legend Juventud Guerrera.

In November, she told fans on Instagram: "As time passes, there has been so much growth and there's been so much beautiful opportunity and the journey that I've been loving.

"But as time also goes on, the date is coming that I've been waiting for the past six months, and I can't wait, but I'm really gonna make most of this November to make all my dreams happen in preparation for this date that I've been waiting for."

WWE

"I'm very excited, and I hope you guys come along for this journey, which I know a lot of you have been with me for so long so thank you," she added. "But I just want to let you know that there's going to be something so f**king crazy coming!"

But Mercedes' surprise appearance at Wrestle Kingdom might not be the last we see of her in January.

Speculation is rife that she will land in AEW after Britt Baker challenged Saraya (formerly WWE's Paige) and a partner of Saraya's choice to a match against her and Jamie Hayter at the Los Angeles Forum show on January 11.

Catch up on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and all the big WWE action via the WWE Network or BT Sport. US viewers can access the WWE Network via Peacock.