Mercedes Moné Confirms Her Next Appearance In Japan For NJPW

NJPW

Mercedes Moné has confirmed her next appearance in Japan.

At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, the former Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, made her New Japan debut by confronting and laying out IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI.

Moné will challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Battle In The Valley in San Jose, Calfornia this Saturday, February 18.

Mercedes has now revealed when she will be competing in the ring for the first time in Japan for NJPW.

In an interview with the Under The Ring podcast, the former WWE star was asked what attracts her to Japanese wrestling. Mercedes answered:

“I think it’s just the realism that comes from it. Feels like a real legit fight and sport. In the United States, it’s really about the entertainment aspect, but in Japan, it’s about the athleticism and the sport of wanting to beat your opponent.”

Revealing that she was in the crowd for Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta at Pro Wrestling NOAH and her upcoming appearance in Tokyo, Japan, Moné said:

“I actually got to be at Pro-Wrestling NOAH, for Nakamura and Great Muta’s match and to hear the crowd and just to hear the different receptions of how their energy is presented when they watch wrestling.”

“It’s so just magnifying where I’m just like, ‘That’s what I want to hear. That’s what I want to experience.’ It’s just timeless.”

“They’re just so transformed into watching and feeling it instead of just being overall entertained. They’re just like, ‘Wow, [claps]’ they just treat it with so much respect that I’m just like, I can’t wait to perform in April in Tokyo.”

On hoping to integrate some of that American culture into New Japan Pro Wrestling, Mercedes stated:

“I’m not quite sure due to it being an American crowd and the first time that I’m performing in nine months, I expect the fans to be really loud. That’s what I want.”

“I want to bring the American culture to Japan as well to let them know that they can be loud and go over the top, but tomorrow night, I’m not quite sure what the reaction is going to be.”

“I don’t know if they’re just going to be quiet and just into watching and just cheering for good things, or they’re just going to be so loud and into it, which I’m hoping and expecting it to be. I just expect it to be awesome. Because it’s a sold-out crowd. It’s a sold-out Civic Center.”

“I just think it’s going to be one of the best pay-per-views of this year. I mean, the card is so stacked, and as a wrestling fan alone. I’m excited just to sit back and watch as well.”

As previously reported, Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter mentioned that Mercedes Moné was signed for some scheduled dates in April 2023, with her first match in Japan reportedly taking place in Sumo Hall at NJPW Sakura Genesis.

Transcription via Fightful

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