At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, we would see the debut of former WWE star Sasha Banks. Now going by the name of Mercedes Mone, she would take down and challenge the reigning IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI. They meet in Mone’s first post-WWE match tomorrow at NJPW Battle In The Valley – with the belt on the line. However, Mone might already be looking ahead to her first chance to wrestle in Tokyo outside of WWE.
Mercedes Mone To Wrestle In Tokyo Come April
While appearing on the Under The Ring podcast, Mercedes Mone would be speaking on what draws her to Japanese wrestling, and she’d mention she’s set to wrestle in Tokyo come April. Mone was quoted saying the following.
“I think it’s just the realism that comes from it. It feels like a real legit fight and sport. In the United States, it’s really about the entertainment aspect, but in Japan, it’s about the athleticism and the sport of wanting to beat your opponent.
I actually got to be at Pro-Wrestling NOAH, for Nakamura and Great Muta’s match and to hear the crowd and just to hear the different receptions of how their energy is presented when they watch wrestling. It’s so just magnifying where I’m just like, ‘That’s what I want to hear. That’s what I want to experience.’ It’s just timeless.
They’re just so transformed into watching and feeling it instead of just being overall entertained. They’re just like, ‘Wow, claps’ they just treat it with so much respect that I’m just like, I can’t wait to perform in April in Tokyo.”
Battle In The Valley Will Be Her First Match In 9 Months
When it comes to her upcoming match – Mone doesn’t know how fans will react to seeing her wrestle for the first time in nine months. She would have the following to say.
“I’m not quite sure due to it being an American crowd and the first time that I’m performing in nine months, I expect the fans to be really loud. That’s what I want. I want to bring the American culture to Japan as well to let them know that they can be loud and go over the top, but tomorrow night, I’m not quite sure what the reaction is going to be. I don’t know if they’re just going to be quiet and just into watching and just cheering for good things, or they’re just going to be so loud and into it, which I’m hoping and expecting it to be. I just expect it to be awesome.”
Are you excited to see Mercedes Mone back in the ring? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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