Not only is Sasha Banks done with WWE and heading to New Japan Pro Wrestling, she is also going to be paid a staggering amount of money for her trouble.
Following the news that the star will be at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January, it was reported that she will not be returning to WWE. Banks walked out of the May 16th episode of Monday Night Raw and hasn’t appeared for the company since. However, in recent weeks she has been pictured training in wrestling gyms around the world, sparking speculation that a return to action could be near.
Sasha Banks To Become Highest Paid NJPW/STARDOM Wrestler Ever
A new report has claimed that Sasha Banks’ appearance fee is “significantly higher” than Chris Jericho earned during his most recent run with NJPW. The report from Voices of Wrestling noted that this will make her the “highest paid Bushiroad (parent company of NJPW and STARDOM) contracted wrestler.”
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer commented on the report, adding that if true, it means Banks will be earning more than $100,000 per appearance. However, he cast doubt over whether she would bring the same kind of financial results and interest as Jericho.
“Voices of Wrestling said that it was a per-appearance deal at the highest price that Bushiroad has ever paid anyone, and they said it was more than Chris Jericho….Chris Jericho made $100,000 a shot when he was working for New Japan, and $100,000 a shot, she’s gonna have to….with Chris Jericho he was actually underpaid because of how much revenue he drove between New Japan World and ticket sales at the different shows and things like that.
I don’t see her driving that revenue, but I guess we’ll find out. The Tokyo Dome may be one thing, but for other shows, and a lot of them in the United States, I don’t see where she’s gonna drive $100,000 of extra revenue.”
It is believed that Sasha Banks’ appearance at Wrestle Kingdom will be to set up a clash with new IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI.
H/t to WrestlingNewsCo