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Jade Cargill appeared on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast for an interview. The following are some of the highlights. On her bloody injury on SmackDown in 2025...
She’s a friend. There have been several teams throughout the years in WWE and some of them develop quite the friendship during their time together. Every so often you will see that friendship continue after the wrestlers leave a promotion, but it is much rarer to see it continue when one star is in a different promotion entirely. That was on display over the weekend. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: On The Mend: Update On Injured AEW Star’s Recovery Status Over the weekend, Mercedes Mone, better known as Sasha Banks during her time in WWE, defeated Kairi to become the new IWGP Women’s Champion. A fan shot video from the match shows Mone’s former partner Bayley in the crowd, helping lead chants for Mone. There was no mention of Bayley being at the show and she was not recognized in any way. Bayley and Mone were the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. This was a cool visual. Check out Bayley in the crowd, plus the two in their WWE days: [This post contains video, click to play] [This po..
Call her a champion. Mercedes Mone, known as Sasha Banks in WWE, has won her first championship as a member of the NJPW roster. She defeated Kairi for the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley show in San Jose, California. From Bleacher Report: NJPW sold out tickets to Battle in the Valley after Kairi vs. Mercedes Moné was announced and it showed as the crowd erupted as it began. It was the loudest the audience in attendance got all night. Mone entered the arena wearing new gear as a tribute to the late Hana Kimura. You could see how much she reveres Japanese wrestling, and how much this moment means to her. The former WWE star hasn’t wrestled since May 13, 2022, but she hasn’t missed a beat. The Blueprint dominated early on with the crowd behind her, but Kairi came roaring back. It looked like the champion could retain when she locked in the Ikari, but Mone fought out and cinched in her trademark crossface. Then, Kairi hit her staggering spinning back fist to f..
She’s worth it? One of the bigger moments of the wrestling year so far was the debut of Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks during her time in WWE, in New Japan Pro Wrestling. This was Mone’s first wrestling appearance in about seven months after walking out on WWE. It was a big acquisition for New Japan but now we know a little something else about the appearance. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: That’s Special: Bayley And Becky Lynch Receive Special Honor From WWE Before Mone’s January 4 debut, a rumor circulate that she would make more money per appearance than Chris Jericho during his most recent New Japan run. Jericho refuted the claim, saying that he was never given a guaranteed amount per appearance and was paid according to the show’s revenue. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the rumor, which has begun circulating again, is inaccurate, as Mone is not making as much as Jericho. She is also not making as much as she could make with WWE or AEW, but is working New J..
She won’t be around. One of the biggest WWE stories from last year was the departure of Naomi and Sasha Banks. The team, then WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, walked out on the company, vacating the belts in the process. Banks has since resurfaced in New Japan, but Naomi has not wrestled again since. Now there is a hint that it might be even longer than that. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: It’s A Big One: Huge Grudge Match Set For WWE Elimination Chamber In the last few days, Naomi has updated her Instragram biography to say “Just Trinity”, with no reference whatsoever to her WWE name of Naomi. There is nothing to suggest that she will be returning to WWE at any point in the near future, though there have been reports that the two sides have been in negotiations. Naomi has not wrestled a match since May 15, 2022. Naomi was a heck of a star during her time in WWE. Check out some of the things she did in the company: [This post contains video, click to play] [This post contains video, click..
They aren’t happy. This week’s WWE Monday Night Raw was a special edition focusing on thirty years of the show. That is the kind of milestone that no wrestling show reaches, especially not as one of the biggest wrestling shows in the world throughout its run. It meant something to be associated with the show and now two legends are taking issue with something that wasn’t involved. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Dem Boy? Update On Mark Briscoe Possibly Appearing On AEW TV The Bella Twins had been previously advertised for Raw XXX but were later removed and ultimately did not appear on the show. The Twins recorded a live Instagram stream after the show was over, talking about how there was little mention of the Women’s Revolution and saying WWE could not mention Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) because she is too popular. There is no word on why the two were pulled from the show. They might have a point. Check out what the Twins said, plus their time on Monday Night Raw: [This post contains video..
Working on it? Eight months ago, Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out on WWE, resulting in the Women’s Tag Team Titles being vacated. While Banks has moved on to New Japan Pro Wrestling under the name Mercedes Mone, Naomi has yet to make an appearance in wrestling. Now we know some more details about Naomi’s current WWE status and how things were going before she left. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: They’re In: WWE Signs Two More Former College Athletes Fightful Select has more details on Naomi’s WWE departure and current status. Naomi is reportedly still in contact with WWE and according to one “higher-up” in the company, it is expected that she will return to the company at some point. When Naomi originally left, her contract with WWE was set to expire, with both sides being interested in a new deal. Naomi is said to have been likely to sign the biggest money contract of her career. Naomi was a star while she was around. Check out some of her time in WWE: [This post contains video, click to ..
That makes it harder. There are all kinds of injuries that can take place in a wrestler’s career. You never know when you are going to see someone get hurt, but there are times where you do not know the injury has taken place. Sometimes there are ways to hide the injury, even if it is something that can slow a wrestler down. That is the case again, but you might not be able to tell. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: It’s A Start: Possible Backstage Heat On Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) In New Japan According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there were at least two injuries coming out of the Best Of Seven series between the Elite and Death Triangle for the AEW World Trios Titles. First, Pac broke his nose shortly into the series and had to wrestle with a protective mask on for the remainder of the matches. Second, Nick Jackson suffered a broken toe, which made it difficult to walk. Jackson is currently resting his toe and he can move it without pain. There is nothing to suggest either will mi..
Already? Earlier this month, one of the longer running wrestling questions in recent months was answered, as Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, made her debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17. That seemed to be the end of things but also a new beginning. As it turns out, there might already be some issues with Mone and her new boss. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: Steve Austin Works Does The Weather And Works The Drive Thru At Restaurant According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there might be some heat on Mone in New Japan and Stardom (New Japan’s sister promotion). Mone had been talking about how she wanted to face wrestlers from the Sendai Girls and Tokyo Joshi Pro promotions, both of which are seen as competition to Bushiroad (the parent company of New Japan and Stardom). While in Japan, Mone went to the Sendai Girls dojo but not the Stardom dojo. There is no word on what this could mean for Mone, or if she will be in any actual trouble. It has b..
One more run? WWE has seen several wrestlers coming and going from the company in recent months as the roster has dramatically changed. There have been multiple reasons for wrestlers to leave, but two of the most prominent left on their own accord. One of them has since settled elsewhere, but the other might be still have a chance to return to WWE if things go another way. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: WWE Runs Surprise Attack Angle After This Week’s SmackDown Back in May 2022, Naomi and Sasha Banks both walked out on WWE, vacating their Women’s Tag Team Titles in the process. Banks has since debuted with New Japan Pro Wrestling, under the name Mercedes Mone, while Naomi has not appeared for a promotion since. According to the Wrestling Observer Radio, there are no changes in Naomi’s status with WWE. A return is still possible, but nothing has been agreed to so far. Naomi was seen in Japan with Mone for her New Japan debut but did not appear and has no known deal with any promotion. ..
The best of several worlds. There are all kinds of wrestling promotions throughout the world, from the biggest companies around to some rather small independents and all points in between. Every now and then you get to see these promotions doing something together and now that is the case again, albeit this time there were three major companies recreating something from the past. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WRESTLING RUMORS: More Evidence WWE Is Teasing A Hurt Business Reunion Earlier this week, New Japan Pro Wrestling held its annual Wrestle Kingdom event, featuring wrestlers from AEW. The event also included the debut of former WWE star Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone. Current WWE star Bayley accompanied her for the debut, though she did not appear on television. Dax Harwood posted a photo of the four together this week, as compared to the four together at some point in their WWE/NXT career. Harwood captioned the two photos with the phrase “What a life.” What a life. pic.twitte..
Hand it over. Titles are the most important part of any wrestling promotion and give the fans a good baseline of what they are seeing. A wrestler holding a championship means that they are one of the most important people in the company. As a result, a title change can be a big deal and that is what we saw this week, as a former champion got the gold back around his waist. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: Sasha Banks Makes New Japan Debut, First Match Set The main event of this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite saw Darby Allin regain the TNT Title from Samoa Joe in Allin’s hometown of Seattle, Washington. The match was a rematch from December when Joe retained the title and hurt Allin in the process. Sting, Allin’s mentor, came to the ring to celebrate with him to end the show. Allin previously held the title for a record 186 days, with a reign lasting from November 2020 – May 2021. It was pretty awesome. Check out Allin’s win, plus his time as champion: [This post contains video, click ..
New home. There have been a lot of comings and goings with the WWE roster in recent months and those changes are likely to continue. One of the interesting things about the departures winds up being where someone winds up next. That can make for a great moment, even if you know someone is going to wind up. Now one of the arrivals has actually taken place. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WRESTLING RUMORS: Major Title Change Planned Before WrestleMania 39 This week at New Japan Wrestle Kingdom 17, Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, made her debut for the promotion. Mone, referring to herself as the CEO, debuted after IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi (formerly known as Kairi Sane in WWE) defeated Tam Nakano to retain her title. Mone went on to attack Kairi’s arm before announcing that the two will face each other in San Jose, California on February 18. There is no word on if Mone will wrestle before then. Here she is. Check out Mone’s New Japan debut: [This post contains video, cl..
The Boss is giving thanks. Earlier tonight, Sasha Banks took to Twitter to send thank-you messages to several former and current WWE personalities. Among the people thanked were Triple H, Vince McMahon, and William Regal. She also took the opportunity to thank her fans as well. You can see the tweets below: Thank you @WWE — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you @RealKingRegal — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you @TripleH — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you @WWEUniverse — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you #Krew I love you so much — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you @VinceMcMahon — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Thank you #SashaBanks ? — Mercedes Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) January 4, 2023 Banks, whose real name is Mercedes Varnado, has not been seen on WWE programming since May of 2022. On May 16 of that year, she and ..
It’s official. 2022 was one of the busiest wrestling years in recent history, with all kinds of changes taking place over the course of the year. That made for some very interesting moments as fans tried to figure out what was going on and where things were heading next. Now we have a major step forward, as well as what what seems to be the conclusion, of one of the stories. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Back In A Bit: Another AEW Star Confirms Injury, Promises To Return Soon Back in May 2022, Sasha Banks and Naomi both walked out on WWE, vacating the Women’s Tag Teak Titles at the same time. While there were negotiations for both to return to WWE, neither ever appeared again. According to Sean Ross Sapp, Banks is now available for wrestling bookings, meaning she is officially a free agent. Neither Banks nor Naomi have wrestled or appeared on a wrestling show since walking out on WWE, though Banks is expected to be at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom event later this week. Good morning. Mercede..
Out of her league? After a seven month ordeal, it seems that Sasha Banks’ time with WWE is about to come to an end. While there is always the chance that something could change at the last minute, Banks seems to be heading over to New Japan Pro Wrestling, ending her ten year tenure with the company. Now we might know an important detail that led to the two sides splitting. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: WATCH: SmackDown Mystery Attacker Revealed Backstage According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one of the issues involved the value of the contract Banks was looking to receive. Banks reportedly wanted a deal close to the same value as Charlotte and Becky Lynch, but was not being offered numbers near those. Internally, WWE is said to not believe that Banks, 30, will be a top star for the next five years. During her time in WWE, Banks headlined multiple pay per views, including the first night of WrestleMania 37. Banks has done a lot of impressive things during her tenure with the compa..
What about her? Back in May, Sasha Banks walked out on WWE over issues with her creative direction and never returned to the company. While there were rumors of a return for several months, Banks ultimately went on to be announced for an appearance at New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom. That is a big story, but Banks did not leave WWE alone. What about the woman who left with her? IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Import: WWE Considers Bringing In Other Company’s Champion For Royal Rumble When Banks left, she and Naomi vacated the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in the process. Naomi left with Banks and has not been seen in WWE since either. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is nothing new about Naomi in WWE, other than she has a decision to make. While Naomi wanted to return to WWE with Banks as a team, her options are now to go elsewhere or return alone. When Naomi walked out, her contract was about to expire, though there is no word on how long WWE may have frozen her contract. It i..
She’s a name. We are just over two weeks away from the end of the year and that means it is time to start getting ready for the start of the Road To WrestleMania 39. The first step in that process is going to be the Royal Rumble, where several stars are going to be needed to fill in the show’s namesake matches. You will often see names from outside the company popping in, and now we might be set for another one. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: RUMOR KILLER On Chris Jericho And Sasha Banks’ New Japan Payoffs According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, New Japan’s Kairi (formerly known as Kairi Sane in WWE) is rumored to be part of the Women’s Royal Rumble match. However, this plan may have changed as Sane is now the IWGP Women’s Champion. WWE has brought in talent from other promotions before, as Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Mickie James competed in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble, with Impact Wrestling being acknowledged on the broadcast. Sane was a big deal in WWE. Check out som..
He would know. There are a lot of wrestlers in the professional wrestling industry, but one of the most important parts of the industry is the first word: professional. These wrestlers are out there competing for money and the more successful they have been in their careers, the more money they are going to make. Now one wrestler is setting the record straight, or at least straighter, on some of his pay issues. Sasha Banks is currently set to debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling at the January 4 Wrestle Kingdom 17 event. A report earlier this week said that she would be making $100,000 per appearance, which was said to be more than Chris Jericho made for his appearances with the company. Jericho has since responded to the rumor, saying that he never had a flat appearance deal and was paid according to the event. In addition, Jericho said that he made more per event than he made for “MOST of my Wrestlemania matches”. Jericho wrestled six matches with New Japan from 2018-2020. For the re..
Even more. Earlier this year, the wrestling world was rocked by the announcement that Vince McMahon was under an official WWE investigation over allegations of inappropriate relationships with various women. McMahon was accused of using company funds to pay the women for their silence, spending millions of dollars in the process. McMahon officially retired from WWE in July, but things are not done yet. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: How Much? Sasha Banks’ New Japan Contract Reportedly Beats Chris Jericho’s According to the Wall Street Journal, two more women are seeking payment from McMahon over allegations of sexual assault. First, former WWE referee Rita Chatterton is demanding $11.75 million from McMahon. Chatterton accused McMahon of sexual assault in 1986 though no charges were ever filed. In addition, an attorney for a second, unnamed woman is demanding payment over an alleged assault by McMahon at a California spa in 2011. The woman’s husband attempted to confront McMahon at a WWE li..