Sasha Banks made huge headlines last year after she walked out from the May 16th episode of Monday Night RAW. Many fans thought she returns to WWE during WrestleMania season. However, it won’t happen.
Today, NJPW held its biggest show called Wrestle Kingdom 17 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. You can read the full results of the event by clicking here. At the show, Kairi who was a former WWE superstar successfully retained the IWGP Women’s Title by defeating Tam Nakano.
Following the match, Mercedes Mone formerly known as Sasha Banks made her NJPW debut with a new look and theme music. Mone shook Kairi’s hand and then attacked Kairi with her new finisher.
Later, the former WWE Women’s Champion grabbed a microphone and said that she will challenge Kairi for the IWGP Women’s Title at Battle in the Valley on February 18th in San Jose, California.
During Wrestle Kingdom 17 post-show press conference, Mercedes Mone was asked why she attacked Kairi. Mone gave the following answer.
“I'm interested in many wrestlers, but the reason I decided to fight KAIRI-san in the first place is because we have a "past".February 18th, San Jose, New Japan I think it will be the best match in Stardom history, so please look forward to it."
モネー「多くのレスラーにも興味があるわ。でも一番初めにKAIRIサンと闘うと決めたのは、私たちの間には“過去”があるからです。２月18日、サンノゼ、ニュージャパンとスターダムにおける史上最高の試合になると思うので、みんな楽しみにしてくださいね」
— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 4, 2023
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⇒https://t.co/wgLjIVWDlG#wk17 pic.twitter.com/nUBMN4Ye2y
Mercedes Mone also posted the following photos on her social media after her epic debut.
This is what I want! #wk17 #njpw #STARDOM pic.twitter.com/P7OnKqbQSW
— Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023
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