The newly-crowned IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone(formerly Sasha Banks in WWE) recently made her return to the ring at last weekend’s NJPW Battle in the Valley event. It seems that she has inspired one of the former stars of WWE.
Mercedes had not wrestled since she and Naomi walked out prior to the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw last year. Mercedes defeated KAIRI to become only the second-ever IWGP Women’s Champion following the title’s introduction last year.
Kushida, who made his return to NJPW last year after his WWE contract expired, spoke to Sports Illustrated about the match. Kushida said that seeing Mercedes’ match inspired him to make a change to his own career, as he is hoping to make the move up to the Heavyweight division.
Kushida, who made his return to NJPW last year after his WWE contract expired, spoke to Sports Illustrated about the match:
He said, through a translator:
‘Mercedes Moné had a match at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, and I think that was a great beginning for this. Japan still has a culture that cherishes tradition, so there are arguments both for and against the IWGP women’s championship. Japanese people don’t like ’˜change.’ I want to create an atmosphere to challenge from junior heavyweight in 2023.
‘We can change little by little. I think we can challenge and create change more in New Japan Pro-Wrestling America. That is why I chose this lifestyle that is back and forth between Japan and the U.S. It is great that we can challenge a lot of things in New Japan Pro-Wrestling America. That is why the top title says NJPW Strong Openweight championship, and KENTA has that. I think that title is very innovative for Japanese wrestlers. I am looking forward to Mercedes Moné’s reign, and I will show you that I can overturn the weight difference.’
Kushida said that seeing Mercedes’ match inspired him to make a change to his own career, as he is hoping to make the move up to the Heavyweight division.
