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Is Sasha Banks done with WWE?

Wrestling Kingdom may await The Boss.

By Stephanie Chase

12 Dec 2022

WWE

Sasha Banks hasn't been seen in WWE since she and Naomi walked out of a live Raw taping in May.

There's been many occasions over the past few months where fans have thought 'The Boss' might be about to make her big return, but there's been no official word on her WWE status for over six months now.

But Sasha hasn't been staying quiet. Since May, we've seen the Mandalorian star attend red carpets, including the premieres of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Disney+'s She-Hulk, as well as collecting a gong at the World CBD Awards.

Sasha (real name Mercedes Varnado) also hasn't been staying away from the squared circle, training with LuchaLibre Barcelona in Spain and with WCW legend Juventud Guerrera.

The videos of Sasha training certainly peaked fans' interest and this was sent into overdrive when last month she teased on Instagram that she had "something so f**king crazy coming!"

In a video, Sasha said: "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.

WWE

"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."

"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!"

Well, according to reports, Sasha is set to appear at New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023. The news was first reported by PW Insider and later backed up by Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, who had some more details on Sasha's WWE status.

Meltzer noted that Banks' WWE contract is set to expire at the end of the year and claimed that the two sides had been far apart on money. Sasha is not thought to have officially signed a deal with NJPW but has agreed to terms for multiple dates in 2023 with the promotion.

WWE

As for what Sasha would be doing at Wrestle Kingdom 17, while she won't be wrestling, the show does feature NJPW's new IWGP Women's Championship on the line with champion Kairi (formerly WWE's Kairi Sane) defending against Tam Nakano.

It is thought Sasha will issue a challenge to the winner of Kairi vs Nakano. Of course, Sasha will be unable to use her WWE name but recently she has changed her social media handles to Mercedes Varnado, as well as trademarking Mercedes Mone'.

Of course, if Sasha is done with WWE, many fans will speculate that she's on her way to AEW, who do have a partnership with NJPW.

Last week on AEW Dynamite, Britt Baker challenged Saraya (formerly WWE's Paige) and a partner of her choice to a match against her and Jamie Hayter at the Los Angeles Forum show on January 11.

Let the speculation begin!

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.