Mercedes Mone remains the talk of the wrestling town despite not competing in a match in eight months.
Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, last wrestled on May 15th, 2022 when she teamed with Naomi at a WWE live event. 24 hours later the two women walked out of the company and neither has returned.
Appearing under her new ring name, the former NXT Women’s Champion made her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17. At the event, she confronted IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI, and the two are set to wrestle at Battle in the Valley on February 18th.
Mickie James Praises Mercedes Mone
Alongside any NJPW and STARDOM commitments, there has also been a great deal of speculation that Mone will head to AEW. Meanwhile, new Knockouts Champion Mickie James has called on the star to head to IMPACT.
Speaking in a new interview with SEScoops, James said that she is excited for Mone as she embarks on a wrestling career outside of WWE.
“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!”
Mickie James recently regained the Knockouts Championship with a win over Jordynne Grace at Hard to Kill. James had pledged to retire if she lost before reclaiming the gold.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Mercedes Mone will be heading to Japan for two further appearances following her match with KAIRI.