A new report shines some light on Mercedes Moné‘s future with New Japan Pro-Wrestling and STARDOM.
Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, made her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, where she laid out IWGP Women’s Champon KAIRI. She then defeated KAIRI to win the title at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18.
In the newest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that, as the time of writing, Moné was only committed to two more dates with NJPW and STARDOM. She is set to defend the title against AZM at NJPW Sakura Genesis on April 8, and she is also scheduled to put the title on the line against Mayu Iwatani at the STARDOM event on April 23.
Meltzer noted that a rematch with KAIRI had been planned with one point, but the company opted for the AZM match instead. AZM challenged Moné to a match at a press conference on February 20.
Iwatani was reportedly planned to be the inaugural IWGP Women’s Champion, but a “financial dispute”, which are said to be worked out now, led the company to go in a different direction.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
Dax Harwood recently discussed – title win. Check out his comments here.
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