Mercedes Mone is just days away from making her next defense of the IWGP Women’s Championship, as on Sunday, she steps into the ring with Mayu Iwatani at Stardom’s All Star Grand Queendom.
This is months after she got her WWE release and went to NJPW/Stardom, where she has been used as a top star. This will mark the final match on her deal, although she is in talks for a contract extension.
Mone has yet to open up on her WWE departure. While speaking with Sports Illustrated, the former WWE star noted that she thought WWE was the big time, and she did that, so now she sets her sights on making new history.
“The ultimate goal for a lot of professional wrestlers is to make it to WWE,” says Mone, who set the industry aflame in WWE as Sasha Banks. “That’s what I thought was the big time. But I did that. I wanted to make new history, and the place to do it is here in Japan. Japan has the highest standards for women’s wrestling, and I want to set the standard in New Japan.”
Mone believes she is the best wrestler in the world and looking to make a statement in Japan. Regarding the reports that her deal is up after this match, she dismissed them.
“The rumors are so far from the truth,” says Mone. “If it’s not coming from me or my voice, then how does anyone else know my business? None of it is true unless it is coming from me. It’s just a reminder that I’m a conversation starter.”
Mone noted that Japan has become her second home. She ended the interview by noting that she thinks she is the greatest wrestler in the world and won’t stop until people see her in the same light as John Cena, The Rock, and Kenny Omega.
