Mercedes Moné Reigns Supreme In NJPW

Mercedes Moné made a statement in her first match in New Japan Pro Wrestling as she defeated KAIRI to capture the IWGP Women’s World Championship at Battle In The Valley.

Mercedes Moné caused a sensation when she made her debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17 where she confronted and attacked IWGP Women’s World Champion KAIRI. The CEO made clear she was coming for KAIRI’s gold and a match was soon set for Battle In The Valley on pay-per-view.

Moné had not competed in a bout since May 2022, the same month that she and her fellow WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Naomi walked out of WWE. The former Sasha Banks gave an insight into what her NJPW odyssey meant to her and emotionally revealed that she had received messages of support from Triple H and William Regal before her debut bout.

Moné’s former Boss ‘N’ Hug partner Bayley was in attendance at the event to support her friend as was AEW star CM Punk and Moné did not let them down.

Wearing gear inspired by the late Hana Kimura, Mercedes Moné broke out a belly-to-belly suplex to honour Bayley before later nailing KAIRI with the Moné Maker to pick up the win and with it, the title.

Also at Battle In The Valley, it appears that Jay White’s time in NJPW is over after he lost a ‘Loser Leaves New Japan’ match against Eddie Kingston.