Report: Sasha Banks Set For NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17

WWE

A major update has emerged on Sasha Banks’ next move in wrestling amid her in-ring hiatus.

Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado hasn’t appeared for WWE since she and Naomi walked out on the May 16 Monday Night Raw taping.

There has been a lot of speculation about Banks’ in-ring future.

The popular star was recently spotted training in Mexico with wrestling veteran Juventud Guerrera.

These training sessions fuelled rumors that Varnado will soon make a WWE return under the Triple H regime.

The May 2023 Comic Con Revolution event has been advertising Mercedes Varnado as ‘fka’ (formerly known as) Sasha Banks, leading to speculation that she is officially done with WWE.

PWInsider now reports that, per ‘several sources close to the situation’, Varnado is expected to be at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.

It is reportedly unclear whether the plan is for Varnado to appear before the live crowd at the January 4, 2023 show.

While NJPW has an all-men’s roster, the IWGP Women’s Championship will be defended at Wrestle Kingdom 17, with Tam Nakano set to challenge for KAIRI’s gold.

Varnado recently teased a match with KAIRI on social media, sharing a fan-made graphic on her Instagram Story in October.

Varnado recently finished shooting for her first movie role. You can watch behind the scenes footage of Varnado filming an action scene right here.

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