Mercedes Mone Injury Update: What Happened to Mercedes Mone?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Jul 17, 2023
Who is Mercedes Mone?
Mercedes Moneis an accomplished American professional wrestler whose birth name is Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado, . She is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Mercedes Moné. Prior to joining NJPW, she gained widespread recognition and popularity in the wrestling world under the ring name Sasha Banks during her tenure with WWE from 2012 to 2022.
Mercedes began her wrestling journey in 2010, competing on the independent circuit, notably with Chaotic Wrestling, where she won the Chaotic Wrestling Women's Championship. In 2012, she signed with WWE and was assigned to the developmental territory NXT. During her time in NXT, she made significant waves and went on to win the NXT Women's Championship.
One of the most memorable moments of her career came in October 2015 when she faced Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect. Their match was not only the first women's match to headline an NXT TakeOver event but also the first iron woman match in WWE history, lasting an impressive 30 minutes. The match was voted as Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI), and Mercedes was also honored as Woman of the Year by the same publication.
In 2015, she was promoted to WWE's main roster, where she continued to excel and became a five-time Raw Women's Champion. Throughout her WWE tenure, she achieved several groundbreaking milestones for women's wrestling, including headlining pay-per-view events, competing in a Hell in a Cell match, and winning the PWI award for Feud of the Year alongside Charlotte Flair. In 2019, she made history once again by winning the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with her partner, Bayley.
Mercedes Moné's accolades continued to pile up, and in 2020, she won the SmackDown Women's Championship at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, becoming a Women's Grand Slam Champion and Triple Crown Champion. That same year, Sports Illustrated named her Wrestler of the Year. She further cemented her legacy at WrestleMania 37, where she and Bianca Belair headlined the event, making them the first two black women to do so in WrestleMania history.
After creative differences with WWE in 2022, Mercedes Moné decided to walk out of the company, and negotiations for a new contract were unsuccessful. Subsequently, she made her debut for NJPW/Stardom at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January 2023 under her new ring name, Mercedes Moné.
Beyond her wrestling career, Mercedes Moné has also ventured into acting, portraying the recurring character Koska Reeves in the second and third seasons of the Disney+ series "The Mandalorian." With her immense talent, trailblazing accomplishments, and captivating persona, Mercedes Moné remains a prominent figure in the wrestling world, leaving a lasting impact on the sport and inspiring fans and fellow athletes alike.
Mercedes Mone Injury Update
Mercedes Mone, a talented professional wrestler, has recently been out of action due to a serious ankle injury she sustained during a match against Willow Nightingale in the finals of the NJPW Strong Women's Championship tournament. The originally planned finish of the match was for Mone to become the champion, but the injury forced a change in the outcome, making Willow Nightingale the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion.
The extent of the injury is believed to be either a broken ankle or a severe sprain, necessitating surgical intervention. As of the latest update, it has been about two months since the injury occurred, and Mercedes Mone is still on crutches and wearing a walking boot. The specifics of her recovery timeline remain uncertain, and she has kept a low profile about her condition.
Despite her injury, Mercedes showed tremendous support for her close friend Trinity at Slammiversary, a wrestling event held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Trinity emerged victorious by winning the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Title for the first time, and Mercedes was there to celebrate the moment with her, along with WWE's Tamina, who also attended the event.
As for her potential return to the ring, no official timeframe has been disclosed yet. Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer has mentioned that Mercedes Mone's return is eagerly anticipated, as the plan is for her to face Giulia, who won the New Japan STRONG Championship from Willow Nightingale on July 5th. Giulia's first title defense is scheduled for August 19th, during one of the New Japan shows in Philadelphia. If Mercedes is ready to compete by then, she will likely be the challenger for the championship.
However, given the absence of concrete information regarding her recovery progress, there is no certainty about when she will be cleared to wrestle again. Mercedes has chosen to maintain a level of secrecy about her injury and rehabilitation process, leaving fans and insiders in suspense.
Despite the lack of official updates on her condition, the wrestling community remains hopeful for Mercedes Mone's speedy recovery. She is undoubtedly eager to get back into the ring and continue showcasing her remarkable skills as a wrestler. Until further news is released about her progress, fans will eagerly await the day she can once again step into the squared circle and pursue her championship dreams.
What Happened to Mercedes Mone?
Mercedes Mone, known by her ring name Sasha Banks, is a highly accomplished and revered professional wrestler. Her journey took an unexpected turn during her NJPW Strong Women's Championship match against Willow Nightingale at NJPW Resurgence when she suffered a broken ankle. The match was supposed to culminate with Mercedes Mone becoming the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion, indicating that she had signed a longer-term deal with the promotion. However, her injury led to a change in the finish, and Willow Nightingale emerged as the inaugural champion.
Despite her setback, Mercedes Mone remained resolute and determined to make a comeback. In a social media post, she vowed to return, demonstrating her passion and commitment to the sport she loves. Mercedes Mone's journey in New Japan Pro-Wrestling began after approximately eight months away from the ring. She made her first post-WWE appearance at NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom 17, confronting Kairi after her successful IWGP Women's Championship defense against Tam Nakano.
This confrontation led to a match challenge at NJPW Battle in the Valley in San Jose, California, where Mercedes Mone triumphed over Kairi to become the IWGP women's champion. Her reign as the IWGP women's champion, unfortunately, came to an end when she dropped the title to Mayu Iwatani at Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom in April. Mercedes Mone's transition to NJPW was preceded by rumors, as she had negotiated her release from WWE months before, under the condition that she could not take bookings with other wrestling companies until January 1, 2023.
Before her departure from WWE, she was a prominent figure, holding various championships, including the Raw women's championship five times, SmackDown women's championship once, NXT women's championship once, and the WWE women's tag team championship three times. She was considered one of the most decorated female Superstars in WWE history and was regarded as one of the best female in-ring performers of all time.
Mercedes Mone's injury might have disrupted her plans to become the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion, but her talent and popularity have undoubtedly opened doors for her to explore other opportunities. Despite the setback, her fans eagerly await her return to the ring, where she will undoubtedly continue to shine as one of the brightest stars in the world of professional wrestling.
Mercedes Mone Early Life
Mercedes Bone was born on January 26, 1992, in Fairfield, California, embodies a story of resilience and determination. Her family's journey led them to various places, including Minnesota, as they sought the best resources for her autistic brother, Joshua. Ultimately, they settled in Boston, where Mercedes began her remarkable professional wrestling career. Her background reflects a beautiful blend of cultures, with her mother being of German descent and her father being African-American.
This diverse heritage has shaped her identity and inspired her to break barriers in the world of wrestling. Growing up, Mercedes found inspiration in the legendary All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW), fueling her passion and dream to pursue a career in the sport she loved. Despite facing challenges and having to attend school online to accommodate her commitments, she never wavered from her goal.
Mercedes' journey in professional wrestling is a testament to her unwavering dedication and the love and support she received from her family. As she ventured into the world of wrestling, she brought her unique background and determination to the forefront, shining as a beacon of empowerment for others.
With her talent, perseverance, and commitment to her craft, Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado, known by her ring name Mercedes Moné, has become an inspiring figure, leaving an indelible mark on the wrestling landscape. Her story serves as a reminder that embracing our heritage and facing challenges with strength and courage can lead to incredible achievements and inspire others to reach for their dreams.
Mercedes Mone Marital Life
On a day filled with love and warmth, August 4, 2016, two remarkable souls, Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado (Sasha Banks) and her beloved partner, Sarath Ton, embarked on a journey of forever together. Their enchanting love story blossomed during their time wrestling on the independent circuit, where fate brought them together, and their hearts instantly connected. Endearingly known as Mikaze in the ring, Sarath Ton has since gracefully transitioned into a new role as a costume designer for WWE, infusing his boundless creativity and talent into the world of sports entertainment.
Their union stands as a living testament to the magic of love, the strength of shared passions, and the beauty of dreams intertwined. Together, they form an inseparable, loving bond, supporting and inspiring each other in every step of their individual journeys. In both their personal and professional lives, Sasha Banks and Mikaze radiate love and affection, celebrating their unique connection not only in the wrestling ring but also in the cherished moments of their lives together. Their story is a delightful reminder that love knows no bounds and that two hearts in sync can conquer the world with boundless joy and happiness.
Mercedes Mone Injury Update - FAQs
Mercedes Mone sustained a serious ankle injury during a match against Willow Nightingale in the finals of the NJPW Strong Women's Championship tournament. The originally planned finish of the match was for Mone to become the champion, but the injury forced a change in the outcome, crowning Willow Nightingale as the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion.
As of the latest update, it has been about two months since Mercedes Mone's injury occurred. She is still on crutches and wearing a walking boot. The specifics of her recovery timeline remain uncertain, and she has chosen to keep a low profile about her condition.
There is no official timeframe for Mercedes Mone's return to the ring. Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer mentioned that her return is eagerly anticipated, and the plan is for her to face Giulia for the New Japan STRONG Championship. Giulia's first title defense is scheduled for August 19th, during one of the New Japan shows in Philadelphia. However, given the lack of concrete information, it's uncertain when she will be cleared to compete again.
Yes, it is believed that Mercedes Mone underwent surgery to address her ankle injury, which was either a broken ankle or a severe sprain. The seriousness of the injury required surgical intervention to aid in her recovery.
Yes, Mercedes Mone showed her support for her close friend Trinity at Slammiversary, an IMPACT Wrestling event held in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Despite being on crutches and wearing a walking boot, she was present to celebrate Trinity's victory and the momentous win of the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Title for the first time.