Report: Backstage News On Sasha Banks Deal With NJPW

In shocking news last week, it emerged that Sasha Banks (AKA Mercedes Varnado) would be appearing at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's biggest show of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 17, on January 4 in the Tokyo Dome. Banks has spent the last 10 years in WWE but she has not appeared on TV for the company since she and Naomi walked out of the May 16 edition of Monday Night Raw.

According to Voices of Wrestling, talks between Sasha Banks and New Japan Pro-Wresting's sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom go back months, with Stardom reaching out to Banks almost immediately after she walked out of Raw. Banks reportedly expressed interest in working with the promotion but not until 2023, with Stardom founder Rossy Ogawa telling talent that Banks followed the promotion and mentioned talent she would like to work with.

Talks initially collapsed due to Banks' asking price but Ogawa was given the green light by Bushiroad (the parent company of Stardom and NJPW) to seek a deal with Banks a few months later. On the table is a "limited appearance deal" that would see Banks be the highest-paid wrestler in NJPW and Stardom, earning significantly more than Chris Jericho's $100,000 per match contract. The reason for the short-term deal is Bushiroad do not think they can afford Banks beyond a small number of dates.

Banks will reportedly be involved in the IWGP Women's Title picture as Bushiroad look to increase Stardom's international fan base. Bushiroad are hoping Banks in NJPW will generate interest in Stardom and those fans will then stick around after she departs the promotion.

Following Wrestle Kingdom 17, the IWGP Women's Championship is scheduled to be defended on February 18 in San Jose, California.