Sasha Banks Thanks WWE & Others Ahead Of NJPW Debut

Ahead of her rumoured debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, Mercedes Varnado (AKA Sasha Banks) has thanked multiple people, including Vince McMahon, Triple H, and William Regal on Twitter. Banks also sent thanks to WWE and WWE's fans.

Banks had been a part of WWE since 2012 but she and the company reportedly came to an agreement for her release in the summer of 2022. Part of that deal meant Banks was unable to take wrestling-related bookings until 2023.

Banks' exit came after she and Naomi walked out of the May 16 edition of Monday Night Raw over a creative dispute with Vince McMahon. The tag team were subsequently suspended and stripped of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. Talks reportedly took place between Banks and the new WWE regime that came into power after McMahon's retirement in July but they were unable to reach a deal for The Boss to return.

Banks is reportedly set to debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling today and she is said to have signed a multi-date deal with the promotion. According to PWInsider, both Naomi and Bayley are in Tokyo to support Banks.