Mercedes Moné continues to grow her resume outside of professional wrestling.
As she continues her post-WWE career, Mercedes Moné looks to etch her name in several non-wrestling endeavors as well. Later this year, Moné (real name Mercedes Varnado) will make her silver screen debut, starring in the action-thriller movie, “The Collective.” Besides her ventures into the film industry, the current IWGP Women’s Champion teased the launch of a makeup line and brand this year as well. It appears that there’s much more to come in 2023, though.
On the heels of signing a contract with the United Talent Agency, Moné spoke with TMZ Sports about her upcoming outside projects. Though she didn’t specify the extent of her agenda, Moné revealed she is “absolutely doing more” in television and film.
“I just signed with UTA. I just filmed a movie in October, in the middle of training in Mexico. So, I am doing so much. I am legit booked and busy and 2023 is just going to be the year of making money,” she said. “I wish that upon everybody, I hope everybody has an amazing year of getting the bag and being a boss, banking on yourself. You have to be a CEO of your own life, so, let’s go get the bag together.”
Under the guidance of UTA, Mercedes Moné will seize more opportunities within the landscapes of film, television, theater and more. Within the television realm, Moné previously starred as Koska Reeves in the Disney+ series “The Mandalorian,” and has racked up several other appearances on shows like “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” and “Barmageddon.”
Speaking with the TMZ Sports, Mercedes Moné reflected on her huge title win last month. “That day was so insane,” she said, “but for it to be in San Jose just a little an hour and a half away from where I was born in Fairfield, California. I had my friends and my family there from legit my blood family and my family in wrestling was there to support me. It was a moment that I’m always going to remember.”
“The CEO” noted that defeating KAIRI for the championship was likely the second favorite moment of her entire career. Her performance there, though, also served as a defining mark in the new chapter of her career. As she turns the page on the Sasha Banks name, she looks to cultivate a legacy for Mercedes Moné as well.
“That day was so incredible,” she continued. “It was in front of a sold-out crowd that was just dying and waiting to see what I was going to do as Mercedes Moné. I had an amazing interest. I had an amazing partner in the ring, KAIRI. She gave me everything, she basically walked me like a dog. She threw me through a table, she threw money at me, she ’bout snatched me bald, but thank God I pulled through. I hit the Money Maker. I hit the one, two, three, and now I am the IWGP Women’s Champion, and I’m making this title global. I’m taking this title all over the world and not just in Japan. So, I’m excited. I’m excited to see what’s next for me in the world of wrestling.”
Making The Title Global
Despite her obvious deal with New Japan Pro-Wrestling now, Moné remains a free agent. With her title alongside her, she plans to explore markets beyond the realm of Japan, and beyond the wrestling scene itself. “Besides taking it on carpets, autograph signings all over the world, to Paris, I’m going to see what little promotions I can pop up to,” she said.
“I know next on my plate is April 8th and Tokyo, Japan for Sakura Genesis, I have a girl named AZM calling me out, so I’ve been putting the offer on the table [for] who’s next on the list. I want to see who’s ready for Mercedes Moné because I turned down to nobody. I’m always here for the check. I’m always here for the bag, and whoever has the biggest bag is where I’m going to go.”
Outside of wrestling, Moné recently brought her championship belt to the red-carpet for the season three premiere of The Mandalorian. Moné, of course, played the role of Koska Reeves in the series, so she wanted to “pay tribute to the character” — with a little bit of (championship) gold as well.
Britt Baker is keeping a close eye on the career of Mercedes Moné, who departed from WWE and got her release from the company before signing with NJPW in January. She won the IWGP Women’s Title from KAIRI at NJPW Battle in the Valley in February.
This marked Moné’s first match since May 2022 as she had walked out of WWE alongside Naomi due to creative differences.
In January, the build-up to a tag match on AEW Dynamite had speculation that Mercedes would’ve been revealed as Saraya’s mystery tag team partner to take on Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter. Baker went as far as referring to herself as ‘The Boss’, which was Mercedes’ nickname while she was in WWE.
The Dream
Baker told the New York Post that she hopes and prays to see Moné in AEW in some capacity.
“It’s weird to see now that she’s out in the wild,” she said. “She’s not completely inaccessible in a way. These are very realistic matchups that could happen and I think the world is ready to see Mercedes Moné let out of the cage. What is she gonna do now?”
“I hope and pray that someday, we see her in some capacity in AEW. And if by chance I could be in the connection too, I would be very, very for that.”
– Britt Baker on Mercedes Moné
Mercedes Moné would be a huge addition to AEW, but she won’t come cheap. With her budding acting career outside of pro wrestling, and her proven track record of moving merchandise, she would be one of Tony Khan’s highest-profile acquisitions to date.
AEW has been strengthening its women’s division, which has never looked better. The promotion’s top female competitors include the likes of Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter, TBS Champion Jade Cargill, Britt Baker, Toni Storm, Hikaru Shida, Ruby Soho, Ember Moon, Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb, Willow Nightingale, Riho and Kris Statlander.
Mercedes Mone made her NJPW in-ring debut last Saturday night at the Battle in the Valley pay-per-view event where she defeated KAIRI to capture the IWGP Women’s Championship.
This was after she walked out of WWE last May due to creative differences, negotiated her release from the company, and signed with NJPW at the beginning of January before she made her promotional debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 where she attacked the fellow former WWE star to set up the BITV match.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Mones winning the title at this show was the plan from the moment she signed with NJPW as the promotion felt having her as the champion would make the title feel important and raise its profile.
Where Thing Stand
Meltzer also shared an update on Mone’s NJPW deal, and how many dates she has left, which is two dates. Mone will work the April 8th Sakura Genesis show at Sumo Hall where she will face STARDOM High Speed Champion AZM. The original plan was a rematch with KAIRI but things changed.
Mone will also work the 23rd STARDOM event at Yokohama Arena where currently, she is scheduled to face Mayu Iwatami at that show. Should she not sign an extension with NJPW for more dates then she is likely to drop the title to Mayu at this event.
One week ago, Mercedes Moné made her in-ring for NJPW. She defeated KAIRI to become the second IWGP Women’s Champion.
Shortly after winning the title, AZM emerged as her next challenger. The STARDOM High Speed Champion was one of the women Moné named as someone she’d like to face. The match hasn’t been made official, but is rumored for NJPW’s Sakura Genesis show on April 23.
Will Mercedes Moné Go to AEW?
Now that Moné has made her in-ring debut for NJPW, fans are wondering if they’ll see her in AEW.
AEW Trios champion and EVP, Kenny Omega, fueled rumors when he quote tweeted Moné this week. He wrote “Our work with NJPW isn’t quite done yet, so I’m sure they will! I hear they sometimes do mix matches now too…”
Our work with NJPW isn’t quite done yet, so I’m sure they will! I hear they sometimes do mix matches now too… ?? https://t.co/h4JOIwarX3
This has led to speculation that they might do something at Forbidden Door 2. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that should Moné wish to competeat Forbidden Door 2, she can. However, something more long-term with AEW isn’t a priority for her.
On “Wrestling Observer Radio”, Dave Meltzer reported that Moné isn’t eager to sign a long-term deal. He also reported that it’s believed “The CEO” is scheduled for two more matches with STARDOM. Besides the match with AZM, she is supposed to face Mayu Iwatani on April 23. At this time, she has not been announced for NJPW’s shows in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. in April.
In an interview with TV Insider, the champ said, “I’m a free agent. It doesn’t matter with New Japan. I can go anywhere. I can go to New Japan, Impact, Mexico, Germany, Europe. The potential matchups are endless. The same for New Japan. I know they have partnerships with CMLL, Impact, AEW.”
IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné is enjoying much more freedom as part of her contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling than she was afforded in WWE.
The former Sasha Banks made her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January, over six months after walking out of WWE Raw in May 2022.
Last weekend, Moné dethroned KAIRI to win the IWGP Women’s Champion, in her first match since parting ways with WWE.
Free Agent
Even while in WWE, Moné was able to stretch her muscles outside of the ring, and appeared as Koska Reeves in Disney+ hit The Mandalorian.
Speaking to TV Insider, Moné spoke about being allowed much more freedom away from WWE and as part of New Japan.
“I’m a free agent. It doesn’t matter with New Japan. I can go anywhere. I can go to New Japan, Impact, Mexico, Germany, Europe. The potential matchups are endless. The same for New Japan. I know they have partnerships with CMLL, Impact, AEW.
“I can go anywhere. I can go to New Japan, Impact, Mexico, Germany, Europe.”
Mercedes Moné.
“To be a fan and watch all these matchups from all parts of the world is amazing. I know there is a little woman in Impact I would love to face one day, Mickie James! We’ll see what is in the stars.”
Support
Moné debuting at Wrestle Kingdom 17 was a huge moment for her, and several friends were in Japan to see it happen.
WWE Raw Superstar Bayley attended NJPW Wrestle Kingdom in person to support her best friend, while Naomi (whose WWE future remains unclear) also attended.
In the interview, Moné shared her appreciation to those who have continued to support her.
“That meant everything to me. Wrestling is such a small, tight-knit circle of friends you would call your friends and family. For those girls and my best friend Manny [Samuray Del Sol] to fly all the way over to Japan from the United States to just cut a little promo. They did that because they knew how much it meant to me.”
Mercedes Mone.
Bayley was also at NJPW Battle in the Valley (though donned a mask for much of the show to avoid detection) to watch her best friend’s title victory.
The bout has been met with critical acclaim and saw Monè nail her new DDT finisher, something that had gone awry between the pair at Wrestle Kingdom. The Battle in the Valley closed out with Monè joining IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in the ring for a post-main event promo.
Now, just two days after the event, it appears Mercedes Monè’s first challenger is already in the wings.
Stardom Champion Challenges Mercedes Monè
Earlier today, Stardom held a press conference during which High Speed Champion AZM staked her claim.
The 20-year-old former Azumi got her hands on the High Speed Title for the second time almost a year ago. At Stardom Cinderella Journey 2022, AZM defeated Starlight Kid for the gold.
The High Speed Championship is typically reserved for Stardom’s high-flying performers, similar to Impact’s X-Division Championship. Considering AZM’s lightning-quick, big-bumping style, a match between her and Monè would likely be a thrilling affair.
At the press conference, AZM mentioned that ‘The CEO’ had mentioned her as a possible opponent previously. Keen to get the match booked, the Stardom sensation made clear the ball is now in Mercedes Monè’s court.
A key issue often cited by fans and pundits with Sasha Banks in WWE was her lack of longevity when it came to singles championship reigns on the main roster. Only the last of Banks’ six WWE Women’s Championship reigns saw her make some successful title defenses.
Considering she’s coming off her first match in nine months, it’s hard to envision ‘The CEO’ dropping the strap to AZM in her first defense. Regardless of the winner, though, this should be a high-octane clash to watch out for in the coming months.
Did you enjoy Mercedes Monè’s win over KAIRI at Battle in the Valley?
The women were the first match in a double main event on Saturday night. Moné paid tribute to the late Hana Kimura with her gear. This was KAIRI’s second title defense. Their match went nearly 27 minutes and was the longest match of the night.
Moné pulled out some of her signature moves like the Meteora, Banks Statement, and even paid tribute to her best friend with a “Bayley to Belly”. That led to fans chanting for Bayley.
At the end of the show, she interrupted Kazuchika Okada to join him in the ring. The show ended with both champions at the top of the ramp with their titles held high.
Mercedes Mone paid a touching tribute to the late Hana Kimura during tonight’s NJPW Battle In The Valley event from San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, California.
The former Sasha Banks made her in-ring debut for the Japanese promotion during the event. She went up against the IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi.
Mone paid a tribute to Kimura with her unique entrance and ring gear during the co-main event of the night, as seen in the video below:
the entrance. paying homage to hana kimura. the look. the atmosphere. her first wrestling match in 9 months. her and kairi giving us one of the best matches of the year they delivered on so many different levels. we are truly living in the mercedes monè era pic.twitter.com/Dul27icJbQ
Hana Kimura was a young Japanese wrestler who made her debut in 2016. She competed for Stardom and other promotions in Japan.
The 22-year-old was found dead in May 2020. Prior to her passing, Kimura had shared hate comments she received on social media.
Mercedes Mone made her NJPW debut during the Wrestle Kingdom 17 event in January this year. She had confronted Kairi at the show, setting up tonight’s match between the two.
The event tonight saw the former WWE star defeating Kairi to win the IWGP Women’s title using the Moneymaker finishing move.
The show also featured a loser leaves NJPW match between Jey White and Eddie Kingston. White lost this bout, signalling the end of his run with the company.
New Japan Pro Wrestling held its event, Battle in the Valley, on Feb. 18 at the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California.
One of the featured matches was IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi defending her title against Mercedes Monè. The event marked Monè’s first wrestling match since leaving the WWE. Another match on the card was Jay White vs. Eddie Kingston in a Loser Leaves NJPW match. It’s rumored that White could leave the company when his contract expires.
NJPW: Battle in the Valley aired live on FITE TV for $19.99 at 10 PM ET/ 7 PM PT. Fans who missed the event can watch it on replay with an NJPW World subscription.
NJPW Battle In The Valley Results
Alex Coughlin def. JR Kratos
David Finlay def. Bobby Fish
Kushida, Volador Jr., Kevin Knight & The DKC def. Máscara Dorada, Josh Alexander, Adrian Quest & Rocky Romero
KENTA def. (C) Fred Rosser- Strong Openweight Championship match
(C) The Motor City Machine Guns(Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) def. West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Issacs)- Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship match
Eddie Kingston def. Jay White- Loser Leaves NJPW match
Tom Lawler def. Homicide- Filthy Rules Fight match
(C) Zack Sabre Jr def. Clark Connors- NJPW World TV Championship match
Mercedes Monè def. (C) Kairi- IWGP Women’s Championship match
C) Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match
NJPW Battle in The Valley Highlights
Eddie Kingston def. Jay White- Loser Leaves NJPW match
Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks, is outside the WWE bubble now that she is an NJPW talent.
Moné walked out of WWE last May with Naomi due to creative differences and was on hiatus for the rest of 2022 while negotiating her WWE release. She became free and clear of WWE last month before officially signing with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Moné made her promotional debut last month at Wrestle Kingdom, where she confronted KAIRI, setting up their IWGP Women’s Title match at Saturday’s Battle in the Valley event.
While speaking with Marc Raimondi of ESPN, Moné was asked about a possible return to WWE one day.
“I guess people like to say ‘never say never.’’ You never know in life. I never knew life would take me here, but I always follow my heart so wherever my heart takes me is where I’m going to go.”
When asked whether returning to WWE is a greater chance of happening than fighting UFC’s megastar Amanda Nunes, Moné responded, “Probably the same chances.”
Mercedes Mone is undoubtedly one of the most famous female wrestlers of the current generation. She is certainly not shy in taking credit for her achievements.
The former WWE star recently spoke to Sports Illustrated. She talked about things such as her NJPW debut during Wrestle Kingdom 17, her love for wrestling and more.
Discussing her hiatus from the wrestling world before the Wrestle Kingdom appearance, Mone mentioned how her fans followed her to the NJPW show despite her long absence before it:
“I have the greatest fans in the entire world, 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.” said Mercedes Mone, “Now we get to start a whole new chapter and go on a whole new ride.”
The former Women’s Champion also talked about her love for Japanese wrestling and reiterated that the creation of the IWGP Women’s Championship is the reason she decided to come to Japan.
Mercedes Mone is set to challenge Kairi for the IWGP title at the NJPW Battle In The Valley event on Saturday, February 18 from San Jose, California.
With the announcement of the upcoming joint show between IMPACT Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, the “forbidden door” has busted wide open yet again.
Scheduled to take place Thursday, March 30, at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles, the event, titled Multiverse United: Only The STRONG Survive, will feature a stacked card of cross-promotion matchups. So far, three official bouts have been laid out: Will Ospreay versus Mike Bailey, KUSHIDA versus IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander, and Jeff Cobb versus Moose.
According to the press release, several other stars will be joining the spectacle. X Division Champion Trey Miguel, Ace Austin, and Chris Bey will be amongst those representing IMPACT, while the likes of KENTA, Rocky Romero, and Minoru Suzuki will perform on behalf of NJPW. In addition, most of the Knockouts division will be present — a detail that caught the attention of fans, and talent themselves.
“Ooooh The Possibilities…”
Following the news of Multiverse United, many fans, and Knockouts Champion Mickie James, quickly pointed out a multitude of possibilities for additional matches on the card.
One popular suggestion included the highly anticipated singles meeting between James and NJPW’s newest recruit, Mercedes Moné, and it appears that Moné is behind the idea.
As one fan (Wrestling Galaxy) made their pitch for the match on Instagram, Moné reposted the photo of herself and Mickie James to her personal Instagram story, seemingly indicating her interest in the “dream” affair.
As Moné continues to tease a match between the two, Mickie James spoke with SEScoops last month about Moné’s journey into free agency. Amidst the discussion, James revealed she’s been yearning for a singles match with the former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion.
“I’ve never had a singles match with Sasha [Banks] and I would really, really love to have a singles match with Mercedes … I’m excited too, because I feel she has an opportunity now to do it her way, and she wanted to do a lot of things, and now she gets to go do them, and she can go test herself against whoever she wants to and show up everywhere. That’s what I hope, she shows up everywhere. Come on over to IMPACT!” James said.
Before this potential contest can even be entertained, though, both women pivot their focus to their upcoming championship matches. On February 18, Mercedes Moné laces up her boots against KAIRI to challenge for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW’s Battle At The Valley. On February 24, Mickie James put her IMPACT Knockouts Championship on the line at No Surrender against “The Russian Dynamite,” Masha Slamovich.
Mercedes Mone has been making strides in the wrestling world this year after her WWE release. Her tag team partner Naomi however, has stayed mostly quiet about her future.
There has been rumors of her returning to the Vince McMahon-owned promotion but a latest announcement suggests that she isn’t planning a comeback after all.
The Emerald City Comic Con announced on Twitter recently that both Naomi and Mercedes will be joining the event on March 4 and 5:
“Welcome to #ECCC, Trinity Fatu (“Naomi”)! ? Trinity and her bestie, Mercedes Varnado, are tag-teaming Seattle March 4 and 5. Meet this duo at the brand-new Seattle Convention Center Summit building”
Welcome to #ECCC, Trinity Fatu (“Naomi”)! ? Trinity and her bestie, Mercedes Varnado, are tag-teaming Seattle March 4 and 5. Meet this duo at the brand-new Seattle Convention Center Summit building: https://t.co/DGAhLo5tsHpic.twitter.com/kzQSguuuHc
Mone made her NJPW debut during Wrestle Kingdom 17 earlier this year. She attacked the IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi during her first appearance.
The former Sasha Banks has been announced to challenge the Women’s title holder for the belt. This match will be taking place at NJPW Battle in the Valley in San Jose on February 18.
Naomi on the other hand has not made any wrestling appearances since the duo walked out of WWE back in May last year.
The former Women’s Champion has accompanied Mone on several red-carpet appearances. She has stayed quiet on her future plans in the wrestling business.
Mercedes Moné may be one of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s highest-paid attractions, but she isn’t close to earning what was initially believed.
The former Sasha Banks debuted for the promotion at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January of this year and confronted KAIRI.
Moné’s appearance at Wrestle Kingdom was the ex-Superstar’s first wrestling appearance after walking out of Monday Night Raw in May 2022.
Payment
As one of the biggest names of WWE’s women’s division, it should come as no surprise that Moné is being paid well by NJPW’s parent company Bushiroad.
Upon her arrival, it was reported that Moné was the highest-paid wrestler per appearance, earning more than Chris Jericho in 2018.
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Moné is not making more than Jericho did, adding that “it’s not even close.”
Meltzer added that “the money is not at the level she could get with WWE or AEW.”
Instead of the money, Meltzer suggested that Moné opting to work with Bushiroad is a ‘bucket list’ item being fulfilled: to work with the top Japanese female wrestlers in her prime.
Meltzer added that Moné does have “far more freedom to explore acting or other businesses” than if she’d stayed with WWE.
The Future for Mercedes Moné
Moné’s first match for New Japan will come next week when she challenges KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley.
It has been reported that NJPW is already planning a second match between the two, one that is likely to take place at the famed Sumo Hall in Japan.
Some in WWE reportedly believe that Moné will be back in the company within a year or two, once she gets this run out of her system.
Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, is in a new chapter of her wrestling career after departing from WWE last year and joining NJPW this month when she made her promotional debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17.
The debut happened when she attacked IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI, after her successful title defense against Tam Nakano.
This set up a championship bout between KAIRI and Mone for a match at February’s NJPW Battle in the Valley.
The Reason
While speaking with NJPW’s website, Mone noted that working in Japan became her number-one goal even before WWE.
“I was so amazed by them that Japan became my number one goal even before WWE. I managed to achieve what I wanted to achieve in WWE, and now I get to live out this international dream.”
Mone noted that she was surprised by how quickly people have taken to her new monicker.
Mone walked out of WWE last May alongside Naomi due to creative differences. However, that doesn’t mean she’s been relaxing, as she noted she’s been working every day since she left, whether that be modeling, making movies or wrestling.
Mercedes Moné will only wrestle a handful of times a year for New Japan Pro Wrestling, but fans will see plenty of her in the coming months.
Moné made her debut for New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 17 earlier this month, confronting IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI after a title defense against Tam Nakano.
The former Sasha Banks attacked KAIRI after the match and a title match between the two has been set for next month.
Future Plans
Moné hopes to become the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion on February 18, but more details are being presented about future matches.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Moné is only contracted for a handful of matches, with her second set for NJPW Sakura Genesis on April 8, at Ryogoku Sumo Hall.
Moné’s third match will see her compete at a STARDOM event at the Yokohama Arena on April 23.
Other than the Battle in the Valley match, no opponents have been announced for Moné’s other matches.
It has been reported that New Japan has already planned for a sequel to Moné Vs. KAIRI next month.
Outside the Ring
Reportedly contracted to just a handful of matches a year with New Japan, Moné has plenty of time for non-wrestling projects.
The former Superstar has a budding acting career, having appeared as Koska Reeves in Disney+ hit ‘The Mandalorian.’
Last month, Moné informed her fans on Twitter that she had wrapped up shooting for her first feature film in Boston, MA.
During her hiatus from WWE, the former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion walked the runway for New York Fashion Week alongside fellow wrestler Naomi.
The Last Rodeo may have come to an end, but Mickie James vows to make her latest run as Knockouts World Champion the most remarkable of her career.
On January 13th, the “Hardcore Country” legend put her career on the line against Jordynne Grace’s Knockouts Championship at IMPACT Wrestling’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view. The two battled feverishly in the main event, but ultimately, it was Mickie James who prevailed. With her win, James claimed her fifth title run in the company, becoming the brand-new Knockouts Champion.
Following her emotional victory, SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay spoke with Mickie James about her win at Hard To Kill, paying homage to her Native American roots, her thoughts on Mercedes Moné, memories of Jay Briscoe, her full-circle arch with Masha Slamovich, almost quitting in OVW, and more.
Watch Ella Jay’s full interview with Mickie James:
Here are some highlights on what Mickie James said about:
Winning The Knockouts Championship At IMPACT Hard To Kill:
“It’s not often that I’ll look back at a match and I go like, ‘okay, I was happy with that.’ It was a battle. I felt like I just started to feel normal a few days ago, and then we obviously just had [television] tapings again. But I walked in there, I was like ‘I just started feeling normal yesterday’ because we went to war.”
“I knew it had high expectations; a lot of people were excited for the match. I was excited for the match. I had never been in the ring with Jordynne before, and obviously I’ve watched her and she’s so impressive. She was a dominant champion, and I knew that this match — I wanted to give her the best of me that I had. I certainly didn’t want to disappoint her. I don’t think that she wanted to disappoint me, and it was just a lot. It was a very emotional, a very emotional night, I think, for myself and for her and for everyone.”
Paying Homage To Her Native American Roots In Her Hard To Kill Entrance:
“I’ve always wanted to be able to pay homage to my native roots and do it in a respectful way, and also just the awareness of indigenous culture. The fact that I was able to I asked the Chief if they would be willing to come down with the tribe and do the dance and that whole planning of like what song it was going to be and where he and Jody came up with pretty much the song that was a powerful kind of warrior song, but also the emotion and to pay the homage to my Mattaponi nation and my tribe especially now because they’re just doing so many monumental movements right now as far as like getting the federal recognition and this new tribal council, which my mom is a part of, and she was out there in the crowd and it was just beautiful.”
“I thought, if this is going to be my last match, then this is something I’d always wanted to do. The fact that IMPACT — and I went to Scott [D’Amore] with it — I knew it was asking a lot to be able to do something like this. IMPACT doesn’t do this a lot. They don’t do entrances like WrestleMania. You’ll get entrances like that at these big events, but IMPACT very rarely — they did the one with Samoa Joe I remember they did that with the dancers before — but it’s very rare that they’ll do something like this. So, it was a big deal. It was a big deal to get the tribe there. It was a big deal to kind of orchestrate it to where it looked, and it was presented in a very respectful way.”
“I feel like one reason why I never done a whole lot with my native culture in wrestling is because oftentimes, it’s just like in television, I just feel like it’s this false narrative of it’s a campy, comedic version of Native Americans or how we see them. We’re very much alive today in society. It’s just important to me to spread awareness and some love.”
Meeting Masha Slamovich Face-To-Face In IMPACT
Photo Credit: Do Photo Wrestling (DPW)
“This goes back to Empowerrr, when I invited her to Empowerrr …. and Masha just stood out to me so much because she was so different, and she was so impactful and crisp, and she was cool. She was cool and different. Then when I found out she’s legit. 100% Russian, speaks 100% Russian, I was like, ‘Whoa.’ Then to bring her to IMPACT Wrestling, which I didn’t expect her to get offered a contract that night [at Knockouts Knockdown], but to get brought to IMPACT Wrestling in that Pick Your Poison against Deonna, because obviously Deonna and I are — we’re ‘fight forever’ friends.”
“[I] brought her in for that to be my poison against Deonna, and she had such an impressive showing that Gail [Kim] came out and they offered her a contract right there. I was like, ‘Whoa, this is so cool.’ It was wonderful to see something — it helped validate, my eye for talent of going like, I thought she had something special. Then when it gets validated, on the spot, like right in front of you, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is such an amazing moment.’ It was just emotional to see that.”
“Then she’s dominated. She dominated since she walked in the door and she’s destroyed the competition, most women in that locker room. Except Jordynne Grace, because Jordynne Grace beat her. And who beat Jordynne Grace? I did. So, if Jordynne can beat Masha, I can beat Masha now.”
Almost Quitting In OVW
(via OVW)
“I always say in life, you’re going to be presented with — there’s going to be game changing moments in your life, and we don’t always recognize them, but they’re usually these real sit-down decision-making moments and what you choose then puts you down one path or the other, right? I feel like we should all be achieving our dreams and all doing the things that we love to do, and sometimes we get off path. But you feel happiest when you are doing those things, because it doesn’t feel like work.”
“A lot of times those hardships of like when you want to quit, when I wanted to quit in OVW and Tommy Dreamer is like, ‘you need to take a break. You need to go home and rethink this decision.’ He watched me from a year I had just been wrestling when I was getting those ECW tryouts and I was not good, but he had already watched me from there to then, this must have been 2004-ish.”
“It wasn’t that I wasn’t good. I was good, and I knew I was good. I think that’s why I was so upset and frustrated because I was like, ‘I know I’m good and I feel like I just want the opportunity, a chance’ I don’t understand why I’m down here training people. I know I’m better than all these people. So I just wanted an opportunity — I don’t mean like the girls on TV — I meant like the girls in developmental where we were. These are my friends and I love them, but most of them, they didn’t come from wrestling. So I was like, ‘Well, did I just come at this the wrong way? Should I have just went down a different path?’ Tried to be a model and then just kind of signed up for wrestling?
“[I thought], ‘because I love it so much or because I desire to be the best — is that the problem? Do I need to stop caring?’ It’s not in me to stop caring about it because I’ve just held myself to high standards. I think my grandma from horse training and showing did that at a young age. It was hard competing because you were competing against professionals all the time. I just wanted to be good, and I wanted to push yourself, and I think that that kind of created that foundation for everything else in life.”
“But nothing great comes without adversity. In fact, most times before you get — that’s where I say that’s what separates people, is that giving up or persevering through, which decision you make right there. Because most times that biggest test, that darkest moment happens right before the breakthrough, right? So, it’s like that last test of if overcoming this frickin’ hurdle that seems insurmountable before you get the blessing that you’ve been asking for. At least I feel like that’s been true for most parts of my life, and sometimes you don’t see it then, because you’re in it.”
How Her Mother Convinced Her Mother Not To Quit
“My mom wasn’t a wrestling fan. She liked Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat, but she wasn’t a wrestling fan. She didn’t love the fact that I was wrestling because she was terrified I was going to get hurt. I was living in Louisville. I was traveling all the time, like weekend warrior-ing it, not making any money, risking injury, no health insurance, all the things, until I got signed. But even then, I think at that point I’d been so committed, and she had asked me if I’d thought about other things, maybe I should consider other things or whatever prior to getting signed in developmental.”
“[She would ask] just more because she would see how disheartened I’d get every time I’d do a tryout and I’d get a no or they’d never call me back. She didn’t want me to feel bad or whatever. She was just being smart, think[ing] about other things. But when [Tommy] told me to go home, which was on the sly, like he didn’t tell my boss that he was letting me go home for a couple of weeks. We were going home for Christmas break anyway, so that was usually like two weeks. So, he let me go home about a week and a half, two weeks or so [early]. I ended up being home for almost a month and I was so homesick because I hadn’t been home for like, I don’t know, it was the longest had been away from my family.”
“I hadn’t been home for like two years, but it was her that as we’re sitting there and we’re talking and she was like about why I’m back early and why I’m staying so long and stuff. She’s the one who said, ‘I may not have loved your idea of it, but I see how much you love it.’ She goes, ‘I watch and I see. You shine out there and you are so good. Please don’t give up now. Don’t give up when you’re almost there because you’ll regret it the rest of your life.'”
“She goes, ‘I never went after the things that I love. A lot of us don’t even have the courage to do it, and you had the courage to go do that. Please don’t give up now. Just see it through. If they let you go, they let you go. You can do a million other things, but don’t quit. Don’t quit on it.’ And I was like, ‘okay.’ That’s really what it was, my mom.”
Mercedes Moné’s Journey To Free Agency
“I’m excited for her. I’ve said this, the world is her oyster. She can literally do whatever she wants. I think any company would benefit from having her on their roster. She is a star. The fact that she doesn’t need to be on a roster because she could go act or she could go do a lot of things, it shows that she has a genuine passion for wrestling and she’s great.”
“I’ve never had a singles match with Sasha [Banks] and I would really, really love to have a singles match with Mercedes. We could just book it at my house [in the barn]. I’ll send her the address. I’ll set up the ring.”
“I love her. I have so much love and respect for her, I do. I think she’s incredible. I’m excited to watch her journey, I really am. I’m excited too, because I feel she has an opportunity now to do it her way, and she wanted to do a lot of things, and now she gets to go do them, and she can go test herself against whoever she wants to and show up everywhere. That’s what I hope, she shows up everywhere. Come on over to IMPACT!”
Memories With Jay Briscoe
“I remember the Briscoes and it’s been so great to see them back, even like when they came to NWA or when they came to IMPACT and just seeing them back out in the scene. But I’ve known those guys since they were kids, since early Ring of Honor days. Obviously one of the greatest tag teams that’s ever been and them being brothers, I think really helped that because they just knew each other better than anybody else. To watch them, it was so seamless and beautiful and just perfect.”
“It was devastating [when Jay passed away]. I think it affected the whole wrestling community because you saw people from every company talking about it because this is a very full circle — wrestling is a very small circle sometimes, and we all have to go through the same places and through the climb up the same ladders together. You cross paths with a lot of people. Those friendships and those brotherhoods that you make along the way, you don’t forget those.”
“Even though we’re separated, doesn’t mean that they’re not important to us. I think that it’s sad. It’s really, really sad because he was so young and I feel like he had so much of a career left for him, but also he’s leaving his kids behind and his wife. It’s just devastating.”
“I just lost my brother, my oldest brother, not too long ago in a car accident. So, it was obviously it was a reminder about that. I called my family a lot and kind of spent the time some time home with D (her son) a little bit to reset. Who I’m feeling for is not just his wife and his kids, but his brother. They’ve been a tag team their whole lives. Not just in wrestling, their whole lives they’ve been a team. I’m sure there’s a bit of — I don’t know how he’s feeling right now and especially how he’s feeling about wrestling, but just I hope he is okay. It’s sad. It’s really sad. It’s sad, too, because I’m like, ‘God, that still felt like there’s so much more they could have done.'”
Mercedes Moné is set to take on KAIRI in an IWGP Women’s Championship match at NJPW’s Battle In The Valley on February 18.
The former Sasha Banks made her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 by confronting and attacking the fellow former WWE star.
This upcoming match will be Moné’s first match since May 15, 2022 and her first match outside of WWE in over a decade.
NJPW has released a video of Moné talking about the match, giving insight into where her mindset is ahead of the match. She also talked about how she plans to become a global superstar.
Mercedes Moné Statement
Moné is supremely confident headed into her upcoming title match. She intends to send KAIRI back to Japan and take the IWGP Women’s championship .. well, everywhere.
“I’ve never been more excited, more nervous, which I never get nervous about, but I am so ready for this. I’ve been dreaming about this. I’ve been really really wanting this and for it to be in the United States in San Jose, California. I have so much history there. I’ve had the greatest matches there. February 18th is gonna be the same.”
“I’m going to make sure that it is the greatest women’s match of all time. When I hold up my championship, oh cute little KAIRI, I’m gonna send her back to Japan, and she can go back to STARDOM, and I can be the global superstar that I’m meant to be. I’m about to take that title everywhere, not just New Japan, but everywhere.”
You can watch Mercedes Moné’s comments about her upcoming match against KAIRI right here:
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t toSEScoops.comfor the transcription.
Mercedes Moné has taken another step towards monetizing her independently owned intellectual property.
On January 11, 2023, Moné filed to trademark the phrase “The CEO”, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. The registration was filed under her company, Soulnado Inc.
Moné first attached “The CEO” moniker to her name on January 4th, as she made her debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17. There, she attacked IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI, setting up a title match between the two at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18th (available on FITE). Now, Moné will be known as “The CEO” of the NJPW and STARDOM women’s divisions.
The newest trademark description mostly covers services related to professional wrestling and sports entertainment.
Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests
Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer
Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer
Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainment personality
Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality
Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network
Providing online interviews featuring a professional wrestling and sports entertainment personality in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
Claiming Her Own Name And Fortune
Following her exit from WWE, Mercedes Moné, formerly Sasha Banks, took matters into her own hands.
Her prior employer — WWE — typically owns and controls the names and characters associated with their talent, rendering them virtually unable to utilize them outside of the company. As a result, Moné cultivated her own brand, registering a series of trademarks aligned with her vision.
Previous trademarks of Moné’s widely aimed at the merchandise categories, such as jewelry, clothing, action figures, decals and entertainment services. In addition, Moné seems to be geared down a live performance path now as well, filing her real name, Mercedes Varnado, under the description of “live performances by an actor or musician” on December 1.
Recent filings of Moné’s include the other following names:
This most recent filing is just the latest instance of Mone’ embracing the ability to be independent and grow her IP on her own terms. Outside of professional wrestling, Mone’ has been branching out into the entertainment industry, fashion and even cannabis.
Mercedes Mone (real name Mercedes Varnado) has booked a new acting role.
Deadline reported today that Mone (real name Mercedes Varnado) has a role in the upcoming action-thriller film “The Collective.” The movie has already wrapped filming.
It is a movie from Yale Entertainment. Lucas Till, Ruby Rose, Tyrese Gibson, Don Johnson, and Paul Ben-Victor are also part of the cast. Deadline wrote about the film:
The Film
“In the recently-wrapped film from director Tom DeNucci, a group of righteous assassins called The Collective take aim at a highly sophisticated human trafficking ring backed by a network of untouchable billionaires. With their backs against the wall, The Collective has no choice but to put their most important mission in the hands of rookie assassin, Sam Alexander (Till). What he lacks in experience he makes up for in savvy, grit, and a keen ability to improvise in the most dangerous situations. He is aided on his journey by Hugo (Gibson) and Liam (Johnson), former CIA operatives turned rogue vigilantes. They face off against Daisy (Rose), the cunning general manager of this evil, clandestine organization. Sam must prove to himself, Liam and Hugo that he’s Collective material on this life-or-death, take-no-prisoners mission.”
Ben-Victor will play Miro Lindell, a character who serves as auctioneer to a seedy underground cabal of billionaires bidding on human lives. Mone will play Nikita, who watches his back at all times and is the blade wielding company pit-bull and chief of security.
Mone was previously used in two episodes of “The Mandalorian,” playing the character Koska Reeves in the Star Wars series.
Several months after walking out of WWE and negotiating her WWE release, Mone returned to pro wrestling when she appeared at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 earlier this month.
Mone will challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley on Saturday, February 18, from the San Jose Civic in San Jose, California, and will be available as a live Fite TV pay-per-view.
As Moné navigates the waters of free agency, Paquette expresses admiration for her bold career choice. Having left WWE herself, Paquette understands what it’s like to work outside the company. On the latest edition of her The Sessions podcast, Paquette and co-host Emilio Sparks recapped Moné’s WWE departure and NJPW debut.
“…For me, having worked with her at such an early time, met her in NXT, watched her rise through WWE, watched those ups and those downs, those times of kind of stepping out, after Wrestlemania, after losing the tag titles, having that moment, kind of leaving for a little while, spending some time in Japan,” said Paquette. “I believe she spent some time in Mexico. To seeing what she has done now from whatever exactly happened on her and Trinity(also known as Naomi in WWE) walking out from WWE, I really applaud the balls of this women.
Why Moné Deserves Praise for Becoming A Free Agent
Paquette added that she believes Moné is a free agent because of her passion for women’s wrestling. She explained, “…It’s not easy. I know a lot of people if you want to watch from the outside and be like, ‘yeah, you know what, it’s good. Leave that company. Go do whatever.’ It’s not fu*cking easy to walk away from making a good amount of money.” Paquette did acknowledge that she doesn’t know what Moné WWE contract was, but believes she made a good salary based on her position with the company.
Paquette praised Moné for believing in herself and choosing her passion for wrestling over the comfort of staying with WWE. She also added that she has requested an interview with her and hopes to speak with her about leaving her former employer.
Thank you!
Over one month away, all tickets are SOLD OUT for Battle in the Valley February 18!
Moné choice to leave WWE seems to be a success as fans look forward to what she does next. After the announcement of her match at NJPW Battle in the Valley, tickets for the event have sold out. It’s unclear what Moné has planned for the future of her wrestling career. However, it is possible that Moné could become a giant star outside of WWE as a free agent.
Wrestling veteran Konnan doesn’t fancy Mercedes Moné’s chances in AEW if she decides to become ‘All-Elite.’
The former Sasha Banks made her debut last month for New Japan Pro Wrestling, attacking IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI after a successful title defense.
KAIRI will put her title on the line against Moné at NJPW Battle in the Valley in San Jose, California on February 18.
A Couple of Weeks
Despite Moné being contracted to New Japan, there is plenty of speculation that she will soon compete for AEW.
On his Keepin’ it 100 podcast, Konnan shared his doubts about how Moné would fair in AEW.
“I’m just afraid, and all you’ve got to do is look at their past history, that [Moné is] going to be there, be a big deal for a few couple weeks and then they won’t know what to do with her.”
Konnan.
It had been speculated that Moné would be Saraya’s mystery partner for this week’s tag-team match against Dr. Britt Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter.
Though AEW has announced that Saraya will team with Toni Storm, many believe that Storm will be taken out of the match, giving Moné the spot.
One Woman Roster
Konnan is hardly the only person to have an issue with AEW’s women’s division, as this has been one of Tony Khan’s biggest pitfalls.
After Thunder Rosa had a minute-long backstage segment to explain her injury last August, Khan said he opted not to give her a long in-ring spot (akin to CM Punk’s injury) as he believed it wouldn’t be a ratings draw.
On his podcast, Konnan said that the whole women’s division is Britt, Britt, and Britt,” referring to Baker’s frequent appearances, and called on AEW to “give other girls a chance.”
Last Wednesday, Mercedes Monè made her much anticipated debut in NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 17. She’s been the talk of the wrestling world and the conversation has turned to AEW.
Last month, AEW began hyping up a mystery opponent for Saraya for the January 11 episode of Dynamite. Social media began buzzing that none other than Monè would be her partner. The two have a history and it would make sense for “The Blueprint” to be her partner. Last week, Saraya told Toni Storm that she was her partner.
Matt Hardy on what Mercedes Monè would bring to AEW
On the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy said that Monè “really bet on herself. It’s hard for me not to appreciate that because I’m one of those guys too where I feel like — Vince knew that too — I don’t have to be in WWE. I’m not afraid to step out of Alexandria, a safe zone. I kind of compare Alexandria from the Walking Dead to WWE. If you stay inside and you have these walls, you’re going to have like, a nice life and it’s safe and it’s easy. You can make decent money and it’s good. But, you can go outside those walls and you can survive on your own, but you have to hustle. So, I have huge respect for anyone who is willing to leave WWE and go out and hustle on their own.”
“I think Mercedes is killing it and she’s doing a great job keeping herself relevant, keeping herself in conversations, being a huge talking point in wrestling business and showing up in New Japan and doing what she did. It was a big deal.”
When asked if he could see Monè in AEW, Hardy replied, “without a doubt.” “I could almost see her being a free agent for a while and just doing spots in AEW. I could definitely see that happening. And it wouldn’t surprise me if she ends up showing up this coming up Dynamite as the mystery partner. It wouldn’t surprise me at all. I don’t know, I don’t have that information. But, it wouldn’t surprise me.”
(Note: this episode was recorded prior to Saraya’s announcement of Toni Storm.)
On what Monè would bring to AEW, Hardy declares that “she is a big star. I mean, there’s no ifs, ands, or buts, about it. I mean, she really has put a ton of equity on her name and on her character and on her identity as a pro wrestler. And she’s been able to continue to hold that as she hasn’t been working with WWE. She’s kept herself in the headlines, which is great.”
“Her coming in to AEW would be a big deal. I feel in some ways, it would be very similar to almost like Cody situation in some ways. It’s like a huge jump; left WWE and came to AEW. It would have that feel.”
Also, it was teased that Mone could end up being revealed as Saraya’s surprise tag team partner against Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter for next week’s episode of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite in Los Angeles.
However, on yesterday’s episode, it was revealed that Saraya would be teaming up with Toni Storm instead. Baker did tease the Mone rumors during her own promo, suggesting that she is “The Boss.” Dave Meltzer shed some light on the situation during a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer noted that Mone is not in Los Angeles and is not coming to AEW. He speculates that Mone doesn’t want to make the commitment to AEW, as any would be a long-term one. It was added that WWE feels “very strongly” that she won’t wrestle for AEW.
In fact, WWE expects Mone back at some point after she gets this out of her system. Mone will do a few NJPW matches which will only keep her contracted for a short period of time. However, if she were to work with AEW it would likely be under a three-year deal minimum.
It wouldn’t be a smart move on AEW’s part to put Mone on television, only to have her back with WWE in a few months.
