Mercedes Mone may have lost her IWGP Women’s Championship, but her time with NJPW isn’t quite through.
The former Sasha Banks made her debut for the company at Wrestle Kingdom 17, where she issued a challenge to KAIRI for the title. The two faced off at Battle in the Valley, and the bout was heavily praised by fans and critics alike.
Mone was victorious in the end, capturing her first wrestling gold since being stripped of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship when she and tag team partner Trinity Fatu (then known as Naomi) walked out of Monday Night Raw back in May.
After successfully defending her title at Sakura Genesis, Mone faced Mayu Iwatani at STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom on April 23rd. After taking a tombstone piledriver and a two-step Dragon Suplex, Mone was pinned, losing her championship after 64 days.
Mercedes Mone Is Set To Become A Free Agent Soon
While her contract with Bushiroad (the parent company of NJPW and STARDOM) was originally supposed to end after that title match, it was reported that Mone signed a short-term contract extension to appear at Resurgence on May 21st.
The contract extension reportedly does not extend past Resurgence and does not include any other appearances, so Mone is on her way to once again becoming a free agent. However, according to a new report from Fightful Select, NJPW sources have expressed hope that they can work together again in the future. The report states that the relationship between Mone and Bushiroad has been a positive one, but she’s not tied into any commitment long term.