Mercedes Mone’ may be mere weeks away from becoming the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion now that her title match has been confirmed.

Mone’, who worked for years in WWE as Sasha Banks, made her New Japan Pro Wrestling debut at yesterday’s Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Banks attacked KAIRI, who had retained her title against Tam Nakano, and posed with the IWGP Women’s Title.

The Match

Banks made it clear in her attack that she wants to be the next IWGP Women’s Champion, and vowed to make KAIRI ‘bankrupt.’

On Twitter, the NJPW Global account confirmed that the two will face off the for the title, which will take place at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18.

OFFICIAL!

Battle in the Valley

February 18, San Jose Civic

IWGP Women's Championship@KAIRI_official

vs@MercedesVarnado

LIVE in English on @FiteTV

Tickets: https://t.co/hrgXpbmPgr#njpw #njbitv pic.twitter.com/io7dbW22pa

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 5, 2023

The match will mark Mone’s first bout since a May 15, 2022 WWE Live event, where she and Naomi retained the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships against Shayna Baszler and Natalya.

In a video shared by NJPW Global, Mone’ encouraged fans to purchase the show on FITE.

Can't be in the San Jose Civic?

Battle in the Valley will be coming to you LIVE on @fiteTV February 18!

Order Mercedes Moné vs KAIRI for the IWGP Women's Championship NOW:https://t.co/3kcvvccgCO#njpw #njbitv pic.twitter.com/Dgdyc4JNYJ

— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 5, 2023

History

This will be the first time that Mone’ and KAIRI have faced off for the IWGP Women’s Championship, but the two are far from strangers.

KAIRI’s final weeks in WWE on TV would see her face Mone’ multiple times as part of the feud between the Kabuki Warriors against Bayley & Sasha Banks.

Speaking on the post-Wrestle Kingdom press conference, Mone’ said that her history with the IWGP Women’s Champion played a part in her decision to target her first.

Karl Anderson and Mercedes Mone (aka Sasha Banks) may have made their presence felt at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom, but they weren’t the only WWE names at the event.

Anderson, who returned to WWE in October of last year, lost the NJPW Never Openweight Champion to Tama Tonga, kicking off the latter’s second reign.

Mone, who was quietly released from WWE in June 2022, debuted as Mercedes Mone and confronted IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI after her successful title defense.

WWE in Tokyo

Before Wrestle Kingdom got underway, it was reported that both Naomi and Bayley were in Japan.

In an update, ESPN’s Marc Raimondi reported that both women were seen in the crowd at Wrestle Kingdom 17.

While fans in attendance spotted the Damage CTRL member and the suspended WWE Superstar, neither was focused on by NJPW’s film team.

On Twitter, Bayley referenced her friend and Boss ‘n Hug Connection tag-team partner’s debut for New Japan.

MONÉ

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) January 4, 2023

Mercedes Mone: All Elite?

Mercedes Mone is part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster, but could her future rest with Tony Khan and AEW?

Sources in the company who spoke to Fightful Select have been “no sold” when they’ve asked if Mone will be Saraya’s upcoming tag team partner.

The British wrestler will team with a mystery partner on next week’s AEW Dynamite to face Britt Baker and AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter.

Despite not being given any hint as to who it will be, talent in AEW are expecting the mystery partner to be Mone.

Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) Makes NJPW Debut – Teases Title Match

IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI was able to leave NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 with her title, but she will soon have a familiar opponent.

On the second match of the main card, KAIRI, the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion, retained her title against Tam Nakano.

Post-match, Sasha Banks made her long-anticipated NJPW debut now going by the name Mercedes Mone.

IT’S MERCEDES MONÉ!@mercedesvarnado is in the Tokyo Dome!!!#wk17 #njpw pic.twitter.com/PD54lqLr1L

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2023

Mone posed in the ring, and made it clear she wants a shot at the IWGP Women’s Championship.

The former Raw Women’s Champion dropped KAIRI with a modified Gory Bomb, and said she knows all about making history.

Calling herself the CEO of this women’s division, More vowed to make KAIRI bankrupt when they face off.

Mercedes Mone has challenged Kairi for the IWGP Women’s Championship at Battle In The Valley on February 18th. "I'm going to leave you bankrupt, bitch!" pic.twitter.com/1eV7FZwswD

— NoDQ.com: WWE and AEW news (@nodqdotcom) January 4, 2023

It was later confirmed that the two will face off at NJPW Battle in the Valley 2023, in San Jose, California, on February 18.

Fellow WWE stars Bayley and Naomi, who were reported to be in Japan to support Mone, did not appear on the show.

Sasha Banks Thanks WWE, Triple H, and Vince McMahon