Latest on Sasha Banks, NJPW, WWE and AEW
Added 2023-01-04 00:50:17 +0000 UTCWe're hours away from Sasha Banks, aka Mercedes appearing at New Japan's Pro Wrestling Kingdom... doing what, many don't know.
We're told that upon arriving in Japan, Mercedes has been out socializing and in good spirits based on those that we spoke to. There were attempts from media outlets to land interviews, but were told that would be up to Mercedes herself if she wished to do them. In speaking with some names in conjunction with the event, they know that Mercedes will be there, but still have not been told what exactly she's doing, as it's being kept very quiet. There are even other talent that spoke to her and she didn't tell them what she'd be doing.
Talent that Fightful speaks to in AEW tell us they've been "no sold" when asking about Sasha Banks being Saraya's partner, but they're still of the belief it's her. The fact that it wasn't shot down either on screen or internally, promoting it a month out, it being a week after her Wrestle Kingdom appearance, and the cast of characters involved in the tag match were all points brought up to us by talent in the company when assuming it was her. However, one talent said they didn't believe a deal was done or "could have been completed" as of last week because of her contractual ties to WWE.
Speaking of WWE, the New Japan news caught at least some writers in the company off guard. Even though we can confirm the NJPW-Mercedes deal was done in principle at least by late November, one writer sent word that they were under the impression that WWE could or would get back Sasha Banks by the Royal Rumble as recently as early January. Since the news breaking of Mercedes to NJPW, they've not heard anything else on that front.
Comments
about that!
Fightful Select
2023-01-05 04:49:18 +0000 UTCFrom today forward the hints will be pushed on whoever it is. I think the company didn’t want to actively promote the match and have to scramble to find someone else if talks fell through.
Joetourious
2023-01-04 21:25:20 +0000 UTCYeah but you could still advertise the match without making any hints or references to Mercedes. I mean it's got your women's champion in it, you should be advertising the match more regardless.
Viper51210
2023-01-04 21:21:01 +0000 UTCThey couldn’t talk about it because legal reasons most likely.
Joetourious
2023-01-04 21:18:00 +0000 UTCBingo
Charles Lee Ray
2023-01-04 16:48:59 +0000 UTCYesss
Charles Lee Ray
2023-01-04 16:46:32 +0000 UTCExactly. And you would think Mercedes AEW debut match would get a lot more hype.
Viper51210
2023-01-04 15:32:21 +0000 UTCThey’ve basically mentioned it a couple times in passing at best.
Jon Blain
2023-01-04 15:22:35 +0000 UTCChristian they just re signed Moxley and Jericho to new contracts, the fact he got a Premier League team didn't stop him and his father owns the Jaguars not him. She's gone and yall justbhave to stop being WWE marks and let her do what she wants with her career
Adrian Carpenter
2023-01-04 04:05:36 +0000 UTCYou say "promoting the match a month out," but they've barely talked about the match on TV since announcing. They've barely mentioned it on air.
Viper51210
2023-01-04 03:40:43 +0000 UTCShe’s doing multiple NJPW appearances/matches and at least one Stardom match as well. Shinsuke was a one-off for a retiring legend that they did nothing to promote. If they were working together they’d promote it.
Darius Britton
2023-01-04 03:37:12 +0000 UTCBut you do realize they have a Premier League team and an NFL team and have to pay those athletes as well and other ventures besides AEW
Chris
2023-01-04 03:36:37 +0000 UTCKairi has an appearance booked the day of the Rumble
Darius Britton
2023-01-04 03:04:26 +0000 UTCPlus, TK has said in interviews that money will never be a detriment to him making changes or signing a free agent for the company if he thinks it will be a positive move. Combined, Tony and Shad have a net worth of close to 12.5 billion dollars and while Shad was apprehensive in the beginning about how successful they could be, he fully supports and is behind AEW 100% now.
B. Joseph
2023-01-04 02:58:28 +0000 UTCBecause they have an internal roster budgets and need a legit TV deal to open up cash flow.
T Mar
2023-01-04 02:31:48 +0000 UTCShe's only making one appearance. Stop thinking old school Vince ran WWE. HHH has shown he's open to working with other promotions. Look at Shinsuke the other night
T Mar
2023-01-04 02:30:19 +0000 UTCWhat if she's there to set a match up between her and Kairi at the Rumble 🤷♂️
Jesus Cisneros
2023-01-04 02:28:53 +0000 UTCIf she was coming back for the Rumble she wouldn’t be doing a NJPW/Stardom run. They only let KA do it because the match was booked before he signed with WWE.
Darius Britton
2023-01-04 02:26:59 +0000 UTCShe deserves to be paid Becky money +++!
2023-01-04 02:23:35 +0000 UTCThis notion that Tony can't afford her is moronic. He can afford CM Punk, Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Chris Jericho, but can't afford Sasha Banks??? Do yall know how ridiculous that sounds, lol
Adrian Carpenter
2023-01-04 02:18:24 +0000 UTCSasha left WWE because she wanted to be paid like Becky Lynch, it's all about the $$$
T Mar
2023-01-04 02:15:36 +0000 UTCNot everyone is in it solely for money my guy. Besides, Tony is still working on forming his companies women roster to be something on the global stage. Plus he's allowing people to work outside projects more freely like tv and movies that he doesn't get a piece of. Sure they let her do The Mandalorian, but I'm sure she wants more.
Will Landrum
2023-01-04 02:14:07 +0000 UTCYou sir, are a shit disturber, And I Respect it.
Will Landrum
2023-01-04 02:12:19 +0000 UTCWell for your sake I hope you're right. If not I cant imagine how on earth TK could sign anyone.
Joshua
2023-01-04 01:59:31 +0000 UTCHe still works there, we all know it. 😂
2023-01-04 01:58:18 +0000 UTCTony needs a legit TV deal to afford her. Can't just throw money and hope to make a profit lol
T Mar
2023-01-04 01:44:18 +0000 UTCTony’s net worth is $1b and combined with his father, it’s $7b.
Talk About Your Psalms Talk About John 3 16 Femboy 3 16 Says I Just Licked Your Ass
2023-01-04 01:40:25 +0000 UTCYeah so is Vince McMahon
Jay
2023-01-04 01:31:40 +0000 UTCYeah? So is "Vacant"
Manwithbeard9
2023-01-04 01:31:27 +0000 UTCThat's nice
Fightful Select
2023-01-04 01:27:56 +0000 UTCSasha and Naomi will be back by the Rumble. Only person who can afford to pay there salary is HHH
T Mar
2023-01-04 01:27:17 +0000 UTCThey took Mandy Rose off that day…
2023-01-04 01:20:30 +0000 UTCA weird but could be fun idea. If I’m Tony. You have thunder Rosa be the tag partner, everyone boos her. She turns heel on Paige after for the crowd not appreciating her. Everyone is pissed/disappointed that it wasn’t Sasha and not a good surprise, two segments later jade comes out for a squash and saying how no one can beat her and then Sasha comes out for a stand off
2023-01-04 01:20:12 +0000 UTCTook a little bit after Adam Cole debuted in aew to be removed
Joshua
2023-01-04 01:20:07 +0000 UTCshe's definitely gonna make a statement after Kairis match,she's gonna challenge her for the title
2023-01-04 01:06:09 +0000 UTCYeah I think they can scrap that Rumble appearance from their brains after the 11th
CMRN
2023-01-04 00:53:47 +0000 UTC
