On January 4th at Wrestle Kingdom 17, Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, made her NJPW debut, challenging KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship following her defence against Tam Nakano. At Battle in the Valley the next month, Mercedes defeated KAIRI to become the second ever IWGP Champion before celebrating with Kazuchika Okada at the end of the show.
Back in Moné’s former home, Bianca Belair retained the Raw Women’s Championship against Asuka this past Sunday at WrestleMania. Belair and the former Sasha Banks share a lot of history, having previously main-evented WrestleMania against each other in 2021.
During an interview with Sportskeeda at the WrestleMania press junket, Belair was asked if she had a message for Moné, prompting her to state that she hopes she’s happy in her new environment as that’s all that matters.
“I just want her (Mercedes Moné) to be happy. I know she’s out there living her dream and she’s in Japan and she’s doing her thing so, that’s all that matters at the end of the day is happiness.”
-Bianca Belair
Moné is set to defend the IWGP Women’s Championship for the first time this Saturday at NJPW’s Sakura Genesis against both AZM and Hazuki.
Should Moné emerge victorious, she’ll have Stardom’s Icon Mayu Iwatani waiting for her at All Star Grand Queendom on April 23rd at the Yokohama Arena, a show that promises to be the joshi promotions biggest show to date.
H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcription.
