Former WWE Superstar Sasha Banks has returned to wrestling after nearly 7 months away from the ring. She made her highly anticipated debut at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event. The former Legit Boss now goes under the ring name, Mercedes Mone and debuted an entirely revamped look to kick off her new start. However, her grand debut had an unlikely botch that she was not expecting.
Mercedes Mone last wrestled for WWE and was recognized as one of their top stars in the women’s division. However, she and Naomi famously walked out of Monday Night RAW back in May 2022 due to frustrations and creative differences. Mercedes began pursuing other ventures and making major public appearances during her time away from wrestling.
Reports had begun to emerge for quite some time that she would be making an appearance for the Japanese-based promotion. Moreover, Mercedes herself had stated numerous times that she wanted to wrestle in Japan.
The rumors ultimately turned out to be true and the former Sasha Banks arrived at Wrestle Kingdom 17. She made her entrance right after KAIRI successfully defended her IWGP Women’s championship against Tam Nakano.
NJPW get your money back, cause Sasha Banks AKA Mercedes Mone isn't it#wk17 pic.twitter.com/SuXDpMuZox
— Deen TV (@DeenTVBarbarian) January 4, 2023
Mercedes Mone was mocked for her botch at Wrestle Kingdom 17
Mercedes Mone got right in the face of the IWGP Women’s champion KAIRI, offering to congratulate her on her victory. But it was right after she showed her true colors and laid out KAIRI with her new finisher, which seemed like a modified DDT. However, Mone seemingly botched her finisher and that led to a lot of fans reacting to the same with her hype of her big debut being overshadowed.
The former WWE Women’s champion has officially become the new acquisition for NJPW’s women’s division. Mercedes Mone is set to challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley on February 18th, 2022.
The full version of the Mercedes Moné entrance and debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17. The former Sasha Banks attacks Kairi Sane and lays down a future title challenge, What are your thought on her NJPW debut?
— RN Pro Wrestling (@RNProWrestling) January 4, 2023
Botch. Promo that made the ECW Zombie blush. I think the WWE saved money.. err, Moné, by not paying Sasha Banks as a free agent. #wk17
— Daniel Lavender (@DoctorAdmirals) January 4, 2023
@bryanalvarez @Davemeltzerwon @TheJimCornette What an unfortunate botch on that Sasha Banks / Mercedes Mone debut. That looked like shit. #wk17
— djm_kr (@DebugDoug) January 4, 2023
Gotta be honest I wanna to smoke some of what all the people talking like Sasha banks is gonna shoot to celebrity stardom are smoking. That debut was a huge dud to me. A Botch and bad mic work.yikes
— Ryan Frank (@ineedjob3283) January 4, 2023
With this beautiful botch, Mercedes Mone aka Sasha Banks is destined to be #allelite #AEW #gamechanger #njpwworld #WRESTLEKINGDOM17 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/2h2xrlV4lS
— Kenny Olivier (@KennyOlivier69) January 4, 2023
That was absolutely horrible in every way the ..theme ..entrance..crowd … and a botcha by botcha banks ..m but her stans will tell you the same crap the announcers were trying sell while trying not to laugh
— Jason (@Jason1385Jason) January 4, 2023
What did you think of Mercedes Mone’s finisher botch? Let us know in the comments!
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