Mercedes Varnado aka WWE's Sasha Banks is expected to be at New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 17 event next month, according to several sources close to the situation.
While it is unknown whether Varnado will be appearing before the live crowd, we are told that NJPW is bringing Varnado in to the event.
Back in October, Varnado teased the idea of wrestling former WWE star KAIRI in STARDOM, which shares the same corporate owner as NJPW and recently did a crossover event with NJPW. Banks has been training at a number of places in recent months in the United States and Mexico.
Banks has not wrestled since she and Naomi walked out of a Smackdown taping and has not been listed on WWE's internal roster for some time. She is still listed on the active WWE.com roster.
Banks recently made a number of trademark filings related to her given name as well as the terms Mercedes Mone', Mone' Talks, Bank Mone', and Statement Maker under company name Soulnado, obviously preparing for her next move.
Whether that move includes wrestling in Japan, we'll know in about a month or so.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!