Sasha Banks Will Reportedly Be At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 As Potential AEW Debut Looms

The former Sasha Banks may have found her next stop in pro wrestling, and it’s not WWE.

According to a report from PWInsider.com, “Merces Varnado aka WWE’s Sasha Banks is expected to be at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event next month…While it is unknown whether Varnado will be appearing before the live crowd, we are told that NJPW is bringing Varnado in for the event.”

Speculation has been running rampant about Varnado’s future after she and tag team partner Naomi walked out of WWE back in May due, at least in part, to frustration with their booking. There hasn’t been a definitive answer regarding Varnado’s status with WWE since then. While PWInsider says she “has not been listed on WWE’s internal roster for some time,” there have been varying reports regarding her true status with WWE.

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Varnado was at one point said to be released. Then, back in August, it was reported that she and Naomi had agreed to return to WWE. There was also buzz that her contract expired, but in late October, it was reported that she was still under contract with WWE. Most recently, it was noted that Varnado and WWE were discussing a new deal for a possible comeback but were far apart on money.

Whether or not Varnado eventually returns to WWE as Banks, the supremely talented star has clearly taken strides toward distancing herself from WWE and the Banks moniker.

The former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion has altered all of her social media accounts, erasing Banks and instead utilizing her real name. In addition, Varnado has filed a number of trademarks—including one for the name “Mercedes Mone”—that indicate she will be leaving and working under a new name in the world of entertainment, though not necessarily in professional wrestling.

All of Varnado’s recent actions would seemingly lead to the most obvious conclusion: Unless WWE is doing the unthinkable and also allowing her to work for NJPW, she’s done with WWE for now but isn’t leaving the squared circle altogether.

Varnado has been seen training in Mexico and has teased working for multiple promotions outside of WWE, including Stardom in Japan and even All Elite Wrestling. There have been multiple indications that AEW could be a potential landing spot for Varnado, who may be going by the Mercedes Mone moniker or some variation of that name post-WWE.

It was reported months ago Varnado would not be accepting bookings until 2023, which is when it appears that she will lace up the boots once again. AEW has teased that Varnado could potentially be coming in either for a feud with the undefeated and uber-marketable Jade Cargill, which certainly would be a dream match for many wrestling fans. In addition, the star once known as “The Boss” has been hinted at as a potential tag team partner for Saraya during Saraya’s feud with Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter, with Saraya set to team with a mystery partner next month when Varnado is expected to return to wrestling.

There is a ton of history there, with Varnado working with Saraya, formerly Paige in WWE, in the match that ended Saraya’s career there until Saraya’s return to the ring in AEW after a five-year hiatus. Likewise, Baker has named Varnado as her dream opponent, and as AEW’s top homegrown female star, she would obviously have to be considered for Varnado as a potential debut opponent.

No surprise here: According to Fightful Select (h/t PWMania), “Several AEW stars, on the other hand, are excited about the prospect of Banks joining the roster. One source quickly agreed that Banks appearing on weekly AEW programming as another ‘anchor’ for the women’s division could spark interest and potentially increase viewership.

For now, though, Varnado isn’t confirmed as going to AEW just yet, if ever. A known fan of Japanese wrestling, one of the best pure in-ring performers in the world and also one of pro wrestling’s most marketable stars, Varnado leaving WWE and actually wrestling for another promotion would be a massive story in the pro wrestling and a game-changing one, too.

A huge star in the middle of their prime leaving WWE? This is a story that could have long-term ramifications in regards to the decisions that top superstars—especially women’s wrestlers—make when it comes to their promotion of choice.

Given that NJPW is now a sister company of the all-female Stardom promotion, Varnado is a strong candidate to step into the ring overseas and absolutely set the wrestling world ablaze whenever she does.