January 4th, 2023 will be a date that goes down in the history of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Wrestle Kingdom 17 already set the bar for major shows in the industry very high, with a jam packed card full of big time title matches and important happenings. One major moment came following the match between Kairi & Tam Nakano over the IWGP Women’s Championship, when former WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks would make her debut as Mercedes Mone.
Sasha Banks Debut Lead To An Odd Reaction
While this moment had fans watching around the world losing their mind, that was a stark contrast to the reception she got from the fans in the Tokyo Dome. Once her music stopped playing, you could have heard a pin drop – as no one really knew what to make of this newcomer. Making things worse, Mone would cut a promo entirely in English – adding to the odd reception.
During his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T would detail would come have been done different to make this debut more effective.
“It had a good look… nothing bad about it or anything like that, but just one thing, the crowd, man. It’s just hard to navigate that Japanese crowd because it was quiet, it was silent. You know they don’t understand what you’re saying [laughs]. I don’t mean the language barrier. That part sucks right there. Normally, going to Japan, it’s a wrestling company. They just want to see some action. Then, when you can talk and speak the language, that helps a whole hell of a lot.
If she just would have knew a few Japanese words, if she just would have studied in Japanese what she wanted to say, or maybe not what she wanted to say. Say the first part in English, but just the outline in Japanese. My thing is, that outline could have been very important, just to be able to relate with the Japanese people for a second. Even if it was just one line, you know what I mean? I’m serious. That’s what I’m talking about from the entertainment perspective, being able to switch gears and go there. It’s tricky, and for her, when I talk about those moments, that would have been a moment. That could have been the moment of the night.”
Things Will Change Once She Makes In-Ring Debut
There is little doubt that this debut will be saved, it just was not handled in the correct way. Mone is a renowned worker, and once NJPW fans get a taste of that – they will come around. But having her come out as a surprise in a region where she’s only worked a handful of matches only and cutting an English promo with no Japanese at all was certainly a choice.
Mone will make her debut against IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi at Battle in The Valley, a show set for the February 18th in San Jose, California. She should get a much louder reaction on that night, which could really set the tone for the rest of her time as a part of the NJPW roster.
Do you think Mone will know some Japanese for when she returns to the country? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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