Sasha Banks makes NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17

Sasha Banks made her debut in New Japan Pro Wrestling, appearing at the huge Wrestle Kingdom 17 show.

Sasha Banks has not appeared on professional wrestling programming after walking out of the venue for Monday Night Raw on May 16 alongside Naomi. Reports have picked up in the past month or so that Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, would be making an appearance at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 show.

Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened at the annual Jan. 4 show. Banks showed up at the Tokyo Dome, as Mercedes Mone, after Kairi defended the IWGP Women’s championship against Tam Nakano. Mone attacked Kairi after the two shook hands, and challenged her at Battle at the Valley in San Jose, Calif. on Feb. 18.

You can check out Banks’ official NJPW debut in the tweet below, courtesy of NJPW World.

Sasha Banks makes NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 as Mercedes Mone

Banks notably walked out of the location for the May 16 episode of Raw alongside Naomi due to creative differences with the company. Both Banks and Naomi were the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions at the time, but the company officially vacated the titles days later.

Ever since, neither Banks or Naomi made an appearance on professional wrestling programming.

Wrestling Inc.’s Raj Giri reported back in June that Banks had negotiated her exit from WWE. Fightful Select (subscription required) confirmed on Dec. 15 that Banks’ exit was negotiated.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported on Dec. 8 that Banks was set to make an appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 17. But the report noted at the time that it was unknown if she would be making an appearance in front of the crowd.

During her stint in WWE, Banks won the Raw Women’s championship five times, the SmackDown Women’s championship one time, the NXT Women’s championship one time, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team championships three times. Banks main-evented Night One of WrestleMania 37 in a SmackDown Women’s championship defense against Bianca Belair.

Will Sasha Banks appear at AEW Dynamite on Jan. 11?

There has been speculation as to whether Banks would show up in All Elite Wrestling.

At the Jan. 11 episode of AEW Dynamite, Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, is expected to have a mystery tag team partner for her match against AEW Women’s World champion Jamie Hayter and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. Banks’ name has been one of the top names speculated by fans.

As of this writing, it is unknown if that is the plan. According to Fightful Select (subscription required), AEW talent have told the outlet that they have been “no sold” about Banks being Saraya’s tag team partner, but the talent in the locker all believe it will be her.

We will find out once we get closer to the Jan. 11 show, or prior to that.

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