Naomi Reportedly In Japan With Sasha Banks Ahead Of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

Sasha Banks has some company in Japan this week because her former tag team championship partner Naomi is with her as well.

The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are together again because Naomi has joined Sasha Banks prior to the January 4th NJPW pay-per-view called Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th. The news of Banks appearing at Wrestle Kingdom 17 has been out for several weeks now.

Both women are reportedly not under WWE contract currently with Banks officially becoming a free agent on New Year’s Day 2023. If they appear on wrestling shows that are not run by WWE then they could use their real names Mercedes Varnado (Banks) and Trinity Fatu (Naomi) or something else they choose.

It has been reported by PWInsider that Naomi joined Banks for the trip to Japan. However, it is not known if Naomi is going to appear on camera as well. PWInsider noted in their report:

“New Japan sources would not confirm they are bringing Naomi in and intimated she was coming of her own accord, so it may be that Fatu is simply traveling to Japan to join Varnado at the event to support her and won’t even be seen publicly.”

Banks and Naomi left WWE in May 2022 while holding the Women’s Tag Team Titles because they were unhappy with the creative direction of their careers and the women’s division in general.

Ever since leaving WWE, Banks and Naomi have done a lot together including contract signings as well as appearing at fashion shows. Neither woman has appeared at a wrestling show since walking out on WWE although in Banks’ case, she’s supposed to be shown at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4th.