Report: When Sasha Banks Might Wrestle For NJPW Revealed

Sasha Banks (AKA Mercedes Varnado) has not performed inside the squared circle since she and tag team partner Naomi walked out of the May 16 edition of Monday Night Raw following a creative dispute with then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. 

Banks has continued to train inside the ring since she was suspended by WWE, though, and it emerged this week that the former SmackDown Women's Champion is expected to be at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 17 event on January 4. In what capacity Banks will be at the show has not been revealed.

In an update, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that he could not confirm if Banks would be at Wrestle Kingdom. What was confirmed, though, is that the IWGP Women's Championship will be defended at New Japan's show in San Jose, California on February 18. 

Banks could conceivably challenge for the IWGP Women's Championship on that show, with NJPW beginning the build following KAIRI vs. Tam Nakano at Wrestle Kingdom. Banks has teased a match with KAIRI in the past.