Mercedes Mone (formerly known as Sasha Banks) is one of the most talented pro wrestlers to ever grace the sport. She made a name for herself in WWE, where she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the top stars of the company. In addition to becoming Smackdown Women's Champion, Raw Women's Champion, and Women's Tag Team Champion, Mercedes also made history when she became one of the first two Black women to main event Wrestlemania.
RELATED: Rhea Ripley: "Charlotte Flair And I Should've Been The Main Event At Wrestlemania 39"Mercedes shocked the world when she decided to bet on herself and jump ship to NJPW. In her first match with the promotion, she faced and defeated Kairi for the IWGP Women's Championship. Mercedes is the second woman in history to hold the title.
Mercedes Mone Praises Her Japanese Opponents: "Those Girls Are Legit"
During a Q&A panel for Star Wars' The Mandalorian at Megacon, Mercedes was asked about the differences between fighting in WWE and fighting for NJPW. Fightful has provided the following transcription:
It's definitely not the same. It's definitely not the same [holds up IWGP Women's Title]. It's so different. Besides being in a whole different country with a completely different language barrier and not understanding anything, but it's so magical because wrestling is so universal. I don't have to say any words. I just feel it with my emotions and the movement when I get into the ring. The girls over there are legit. They've been training twice a day, five days a week, and this is their livelihood. The Japanese culture, they're very strict and disciplined. That's what I really love when I go to Japan. My match with KAIRI was so different. I was so nervous and was like, 'Are we going to be able to understand each other?' It's been so magical. I'm trying to make more history in wrestling and I feel this is my chance to do it and I'm ready for more.
Mercedes is set to defend her championship against STARDOM's Mayu Iwatani on April 23. The former World of Stardom Champion could just be the greatest threat to Mercedes' world domination yet.
