For fans of Mercedes Moné, which means most fans of pro wrestling, the wait is almost over.
More precisely, it’s been two separate waits: First, seeing where Moné, who went by the name Sasha Banks in WWE, would turn up next after walking away from the company where she established herself as one of the most talented and popular women’s wrestlers in the world last May.
She answered that question by revealing her new identity at Wrestle Kingdom — the biggest annual event for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) — in Tokyo last month, where she challenged IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi to a title match. Even that required everyone to be a little more patient, as the bout was slated for Feb. 18 at New Japan’s Battle in the Valley in San Jose.
Add it up and it’s been nine months since Moné has stepped in the ring for any match, let alone one with so much intrigue around it. As she told the host of Wrestling Junkie’s Under the Ring podcast, Phil Strum, it still feels a bit surreal.
“I’m having a hard time processing that it’s all real, but it is, because it’s tomorrow,” Moné said. “I’ve been waiting for this for months, but I am so excited that my first match back in nine months is against Kairi, who is absolutely one of the best wrestlers in the whole world.
“This is a dream come true. I’ve been preparing for this match for the past couple months, and I’m just ready to go to do this match. I’m ready to get it over with. I have the same feelings that I did at Wrestle Kingdom where I’m just like, ‘oh my God, can it just come, can it just go past already?'”
Moné caught many industry observers off guard by resurfacing in NJPW, as opposed to a return to WWE (there were reports of a possible reconciliation that fell apart over money) or perhaps signing with its primary competition, AEW.
But this is a pairing that could easily pay dividends for both parties. Moné has made inroads into other forms of entertainment, including acting (she was part of the popular Star Wars Disney+ show “The Mandalorian) and music. She’s likely freer to pursue those ventures without being tied down to a multi-year deal with one of the big two United States-based wrestling promotions.
NJPW, meanwhile, is trying to become a bigger presence in the U.S. market. It only recently established a women’s title after years of featuring only male wrestlers — it does have a sister promotion, Stardom, for which Moné will also appear — and Moné helps give that effort both credibility and star power.
That hopefully symbiotic relationship begins Saturday night at Battle in the Valley, which is being broadcast on pay-per-view by FITE.
“I’m ready to enjoy every moment in this magical time in my career,” Moné said. “I’m so ready for tomorrow.”