EX-WWE SUPERSTAR SASHA BANKS JOINS NJPW

Mercedes Varnado has signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling

Sasha Banks will not be returning to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Instead she will be performing for New Japan Pro Wrestling under the ring name, Mercedes Moné. WWE fans will recall that Sasha Banks and Naomi were suspended indefinitely back in May 2022. Banks and Naomi were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions and were suspended without pay after they walked out on the May 16 episode of Monday Night RAW. Neither Banks nor Naomi commented on walking out on WWE or their suspensions.

On Tuesday, Banks (real name Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado) showed gratitude to WWE. “Thank you, WWE” she wrote. Varnado also thanked William Regal, Triple H, the WWE Universe, “#Krew”, Vince McMahon, and Sasha Banks.

Mercedes Varnado joined WWE in 2012 and performed on WWE until 2022. During this time, she held numerous titles including the NXT Women’s Championship, WWE RAW Women’s Championship (5 times), WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship (1 time) and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice.