Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) Appears at NJPW WK 17, Issues Challenge for IWGP Women’s Title

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kindom 17 event today in Tokyo, Japan featured KAIRI retaining her IWGP Women’s Championship over Tam Nakano.

Following the match, former WWE talent Sasha Banks made her surprise appearance and official NJPW debut under the new ring name of Mercedes Mone.

MERCEDES MONE IS IN NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING AT WRESTLE KINGDOM!! pic.twitter.com/1UQ5poG87i

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) January 4, 2023

Mercedes Moné is here!

Welcome to #njpw, @mercedesvarnado!

元WWE、元サーシャ・バンクス改め、 メルセデス・モネー選手が参戦決定!!#wk17 pic.twitter.com/xBYUJNfadR

— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 4, 2023

Mone confronted KAIRI in the ring and after a brief staredown, Mone offered a handshake which turned out to be a trap instead and attacked KAIRI. Mone then gave a promo officially introducing herself to NJPW and Stardom. Mone also issued a challenge to KAIRI for her IWGP Women’s title at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley 2023 event on February 18th in San Jose, California.

This will be Mone’s first match since May 15, 2022 at a house show event in WWE.