Mercedes Mone Is Ready to Make a Statement With NJPW

The former Sasha Banks will make her New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut against Kairi in an IWGP women’s championship match.

If you enjoyed watching Sasha Banks make history in WWE, then you are going to love watching Mercedes Moné in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Banks—who will now wrestle as Mercedes Moné—chose to follow her convictions and step outside of WWE. Her journey now brings her to Japan, where she debuted Jan. 4 at the Tokyo Dome during Wrestle Kingdom. She will make her in-ring premiere Saturday night at New Japan’s Battle in the Valley show in San Jose.

“Life is too short not to follow your dreams and find happiness,” says Moné, whose name is Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado. “I was brought into this world to make a statement, and now I can do it in New Japan.”

Kaestner-Varnado has not been visible in wrestling since she opted to leave WWE last May. She left due to a mixture of broken promises and creative frustration, and her exit is an example of one of the most selfless departures—done to help the entire women’s division—in wrestling history. Yet it was still a blow for wrestling fans to go nearly two-thirds of a year without her.

“I have the greatest fans in the entire world,” says Kaestner-Varnado. “They followed me to Wrestle Kingdom. There was 30% new viewership from the United States, and that’s because of my crew. To be away from them for nine months has been incredibly hard. Now we get to start a whole new chapter and go on a whole new ride.”

An entire world of wrestling exists outside of WWE—and outside of North America. This journey to Japan allows Kaestner-Varnado a new opportunity to work matches in her own distinct style against a predominantly new slate of opponents.

“Wrestling has been my dream since I was 13,” says Kaestner-Varnado. “Manami Toyota, Aja Kong and Akira Hokuto, they were main-eventing the Tokyo Dome back in the ’90s. That was my dream before even WWE. The doors to Japan opened, and this is a chance for me to make a new impact.”

Already a world-renowned star, Kaestner-Varnado is taking a bold new adventure to a new continent and company. Her Battle at the Valley match against Kairi—who worked in WWE as Kairi Sane—is for the IWGP women’s championship, a title first established last summer.

“Japanese women’s wrestling is the greatest form of wrestling,” says Kaestner-Varnado. “To really cement my legacy, I have to leave a lasting impact in Japan.”

The groundwork for the Moné-Kairi feud was laid at Wrestle Kingdom following Kairi’s victory against Tam Nakano. Moné then made a magnificent surprise appearance, immediately evoking memories of her brilliance.

“Wrestling is my absolute everything,” says Kaestner-Varnado, who intensified her training in November when she went on a wrestling excursion to Mexico. “It’s on my mind in the morning, it’s on my mind in the afternoon and it’s on my mind when I go to bed.

“When the IWGP title was created, I felt a flutter in my heart. I started dreaming about it at night. I get to shine a different light in this male-dominated company. For Kairi and Tam Nakano and so many others, we can showcase what women can do. I’ve been itching for this date. I can’t believe it’s f---ing tomorrow. I can’t wait to get in the ring with Kairi.”

Kaestner-Varnado has not traveled on this journey alone. She was joined by WWE star Bayley during her debut at Wrestle Kingdom, who chose to fly out to Tokyo after the Jan. 2 edition of Raw that took place in Nashville.

“She hopped on an airplane after Raw to support me,” says Kaestner-Varnado. “It didn’t even feel real when I saw her. She will always forever be my tag team partner. The same goes for Trinity [Fatu, known in WWE as Naomi], who supported me, and Kalisto. I had so many friends and family support me. And it’s the same with this match. I was born only an hour and a half away from San Jose, so I have a lot of family and childhood friends coming.”

Kaestner-Varnado is no stranger to making history, which she did repeatedly in WWE, most notably when headlining WrestleMania 37 against Bianca Belair. As monumental as that particular moment remains in wrestling history, she is embarking on an expedition possibly even more significant.

Japan marks a necessary step for Kaestner-Varnado, one she needs to conquer without WWE.

“I had no other choice; I had to chase this dream,” says Kaestner-Varnado. “I am a motherf---ing history maker. I’m a first-timer—that’s what I’m known for, and this is the first step in my global tour. It all starts tomorrow night when I become the IWGP women’s champion, a championship I plan on taking all over the world.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.