After weeks of news, the day has finally come. So much history has been made inside the Tokyo Dome, and on Wrestle Kingdom, and even more has been made today. Sasha Banks has reappeared, reborn in NJPW as Mercedes Moné.

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Mercedes Moné Makes NJPW Debut At Wrestle Kingdom 17

The stage was set by a thunderous title defense by KAIRI, the former WWE Superstar dispatching of Tam Nakano in quick fashion after a hard-hitting affair, landing her trademark flying elbow to end the bout. As she celebrated with her retained IWGP Women's Championship, the lights went out and a mysterious video package played on the screens. They showed a familiar face, but with a new name; Mercedes Moné.

The former Sasha Banks appeared in person at the Tokyo Dome, looking transformed with brand-new gear, a new hairstyle, and a rejuvenated aura surrounding her. Meeting KAIRI face-to-face in the ring, Moné shook the champion's hand before landing what can only be assumed as a new finisher - a Gory Special hold flipped into a DDT. Putting her hands on the IWGP gold, Moné made her championship aspirations known.

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What's Next For Mercedes Moné?

From Moné's words on the microphone, it sounds like fans won't need to wait long to see the former world champion's in-ring return. Standing tall over the champion, Moné laid down the challenge for the IWGP Women's Championship at NJPW's first major international event of the year, Battle in the Valley. Hosted in San Jose, California on February 18, it appears that Moné's first match back will just be a few weeks away.

In Moné's Tokyo Dome appearance, she proclaimed how she is used to making history, before anointing herself the CEO of New Japan's women's division. Looking at the calendar ahead, 2023 looks like Moné will be on track to make even more history, with Battle in the Valley just over a month away, a huge Stardom show planned bringing together all corners of women's wrestling, and who knows what else she will do in the coming months. All fans can do is watch as Mercedes Moné reintroduces herself to the world.

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