Sasha Banks, who stormed out of WWE in March last year, made her debut in NJPW earlier in 2023. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion has had a bitter-sweet ride so far. After capturing the IWGP Women’s Championship in February, Banks, who now wrestles under her new ring name, Mercedes Mone, suffered an unfortunate injury recently. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old wrestler was part of the talents featured on AEW’s video package on Dynamite.
How did Sasha Banks feature on the AEW package?
The above question can resonate with many fans. If you’re wondering whether Banks has signed a deal with WWE’s rival promotion, no, she has not. Yet, she was featured, and here’s the reason.
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Banks was part of the video package that was dedicated to AEW’s Willow Nightingale, who jostled with the former WWE superstar at the NJPW weekend show- Resurgence.
The first thing on @willowwrestles's mind is proving how STRONG she is! Tune in to #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS! pic.twitter.com/4aDREZS5yW
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 25, 2023
The five-time WWE RAW Women’s Champion, however, lost the bout as Nightingale became the inaugural Strong Women’s Champion. This, however, wasn’t supposed to be the final outcome as according to reports, the match result was changed on the fly after Banks suffered a broken ankle during the encounter.
AEW’s showing off of a clip from NJPW isn’t surprising, as the two promotions have co-organized matches in the past. The inaugural AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door was held in June last year. The second edition will be held in Toronto, Canada, on June 25.
Banks, however, will not be present. Meanwhile, she sent a four-letter message after the mishap.
Mone vows to continue her story after ankle injury
After missing out on the title, Mone took to social media to leave a message for her fans. The 31-year-old has promised to continue her fight. “The story will continue… #fairytaledreams,” she posted on Instagram, accompanied by several pictures of herself.
In the recent past, Mone has opened up about moving to Japan and learning the local language to ease her stay in the country. She has also taken a dig at her former employer while comparing it with her current promotion. She has been critical of the current WWE talents and said her NJPW colleagues were superior.
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It now remains to be seen when the former WWE champion makes her in-ring return as her current injury is likely to keep her sidelined for weeks. Were you surprised by Sasha Banks’ AEW feature? Let us know in the comments.
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