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Mercedes Mone Pictured With WWE & AEW Stars At Wrestle Kingdom

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 4th January 2023
Mercedes Mone

The artist formerly known as Sasha Banks – Mercedes Mone – has been pictured with major AEW and WWE stars backstage at Wrestle Kingdom 17.

After walking out on WWE during an episode of Monday Night Raw back in May 2022, the future of Sasha Banks in the company was thrown into some doubt. Despite conflicting reports that said that she was soon to be returning to the company given the change in management, it now looks like The Boss has most definitely moved on.

At Wrestle Kingdom 17, Banks – now using the name Mercedes Mone – made her debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling and confronted IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI after her successful title defence against Tam Nakano. Mone attacked KAIRI before raising the championship belt above her head.

Mone then grabbed a microphone and declared herself the CEO of the NJPW women’s division, before announcing that she would be challenging for the title at Battle Of The Valley, which is set to take place in San Jose on 18th February.

Hours before the event Banks had taken to social media to thank a number of people for her time in WWE, including the likes of Vince McMahon.

Now, a photo has been shared by AEW’s Dax Harwood showing him and FTR partner Cash Wheeler – who lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship at Wrestle Kingdom – backstage recreating a photo with Mercedes Mone and her long-time WWE partner Bayley who had travelled to Japan to support her fellow Four Horsewoman.