After months and months of speculation, former WWE star Sasha Banks made a decision on her pro wrestling future. Ever since her controversial departure from WWE last year, all types of rumors have been swirling around about her career. Many fans wanted her to make a return to pro wrestling while others wanted to see more of her in showbiz. But Banks made a blockbuster return to the squared circle at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 as Mercedes Mone.
She arrived at Tokyo Dome after the IWGP Women’s title match between Kairi and Tam Nakano. A new look and a new persona were visible as she announced herself as the CEO of the women’s division.
Sasha Banks makes in-ring return
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Sasha Banks made a historic return to pro wrestling after she made her NJPW at their biggest show of the year Wrestle Kingdom 17. After Kairi retained the IWGP title against Tam Nakano, Banks came out with a full new entrance and a new look. She also went by her new in-ring name Mercedes Mone.
At first, she congratulated Kairi for her successful title defense, but then attacked her, laying her out. Mone said she was in NJPW to make history and called herself the CEO of the women’s division. NJPW tweeted about her debut moments after she laid out KAIRI.
Mercedes Moné is here!
Welcome to #njpw, @mercedesvarnado!#njwk17 pic.twitter.com/MCuWSs99y4
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 4, 2023
READ MORE: History-Making WWE Legend Challenges Sasha Banks for a Fight Before Retirement
Moreover, she also issued a challenge to KAIRI for the title at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18 in San Jose. Mone last wrestled in May 2022 at a live event. Soon after that, she left the company over creative differences along with her tag team partner, Naomi. Both stars held the Women’s tag team title when they walked out of WWE. Since then, there have been a lot of reports about her contract situation with WWE, which ended on New Year’s Eve. It was reported that her WWE contract was worth $250,000 prior to her departure.
IT’S MERCEDES MONÉ!@mercedesvarnado is in the Tokyo Dome!!!#wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/PD54lqLr1L
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 4, 2023
Her spectacular return and match announcement have got the wrestling world buzzing.
Fans react to Sasha Banks’ return at Wrestle Kingdom
Fans who had been waiting for a long time to see Sasha Banks aka Mercedes Mone were ecstatic after The Boss made her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom. Their excitement was palpable, and many took to Twitter to share their elation at the former RAW Women’s Champion making an in-ring return. One fan wrote, “The world stopped.” Another fan commented, “REAL WRESTLING IS BACK.”
Here are the top reactions from fans as Mercedes Mone starts off 2023 with a bang.
The world stopped. 🥹
— Justin | FAN ACCOUNT | MERCEDES MONÈ ERA IS HERE💰 (@SashasTopGuy) January 4, 2023
REAL WRESTLING IS BACK
— Mercedes Mone fan account (@BanksSZN) January 4, 2023
And finally she returns to ring 🔥💯 #WrestleKingdom #WRESTLEKINGDOM17 #SashaBanks #WWE https://t.co/6IRWH9sjTD
— Tushar Deogharkar (@TusharDeo04) January 4, 2023
So iconic
— Hugo (@bankssstatement) January 4, 2023
We All Knew This Was Going To Happen But This is Still So Surreal To Witness. Definitely One of The Biggest Moments of 2023 So Far
I'm Very Fucking Excited To See What Mercedes is Gonna Do Outside of WWE in 2023 😁#njwk17 https://t.co/ewY07GA8B8
— PopCulture Asylum (@ambroseasylum45) January 4, 2023
One of Mercedes’ best friends and in-ring rivals, WWE star Bayley, also couldn’t hide her excitement.
MONÉ
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) January 4, 2023
Fans continued to praise Banks for her debut.
Her Entrance 🔥
Her Theme Song 🔥
Her Gear 🔥What A Debut 👏👏@MercedesVarnado 🔥 https://t.co/BvgbpjvQpj
— Albert Lesnar (@LesnarAlbert) January 4, 2023
The goddest Varnado is in da japan. Baby.💰Money and Boss Time!😍 #njwk17 #wk17 pic.twitter.com/pO82ZZYZYY
— ★ 𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒂 ★ (@Mangaka2511) January 4, 2023
She banked on herself and won. Huge moment for professional wrestling as a whole. 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5CGOjuXM3Y
— Mike Zimmelman (@MZimmel) January 4, 2023
The outfit, the theme, the entrance. My god she’s killing it 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/ImuXiFwEGL
— Ashlee (@_itsashleeee_) January 4, 2023
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I’m crying with joy! I woke up just in time https://t.co/IIpCNdjK84
— Vivi Rose🏳️⚧️ (@VocaRose) January 4, 2023
If pro wrestling fans hoped for one wish to come true, it was the in-ring return of Sasha Banks. A new persona, look, and entrance already make Mercedes Mone look like a megastar. Fans wouldn’t even have to wait that long to see her in a match after her title challenge to Kairi next month.
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It’s only the beginning of 2023 and Mercedes Mone is already the hot topic in the world of pro wrestling after months on the sidelines. Fans cannot wait to see what she does next as the Legit Boss is back to rule the ring once again.
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