Jake Miller
There has been much speculation about whether Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone, will return to WWE. Banks and Naomi famously walked out of WWE in May 2022, and while Naomi returned in 2024, Banks has not been back since. However, in an interview, Mone stated that she believes she will return to WWE one day, saying, I know I'm gonna be back there one day... I have a lot of unfinished business in wrestling, in a lot of places. Additionally, Ric Flair and other members of the Reddit SquaredCircle community have expressed their beliefs that Banks will ultimately end up back in the WWE. While there is no confirmation of a return, the discussion surrounding it has generated a lot of interest and curiosity among fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sasha Banks's return to WWE | Uncertain, but she has expressed interest |
| Reason for leaving WWE | Better pay and more freedom with AEW |
| WWE return speculation | May return for one-off matches and Wrestlemanias |
| Current status | Signed with AEW as Mercedes Mone |
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What You'll Learn
Sasha Banks' future in WWE
Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone, walked out of WWE in May 2022 alongside Naomi. Since then, Banks has gone on to win the IWGP Women's Championship and joined All Elite Wrestling, winning the TBS Women's Championship.
Despite her departure, Banks has expressed a desire to return to WWE, stating on the Kick Rocks podcast: "I know I'm gonna be back there one day. Okay? So it's not over... I have a lot of unfinished business in wrestling, in a lot of places."
It is unclear when or if Banks will return to WWE, as she is currently enjoying success in AEW. Some speculate that she may return to WWE for a few one-off matches or PPV events when she is semi-retired. Ric Flair, for instance, has stated that he believes Banks will ultimately end up back in the WWE.
WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton has also expressed interest in seeing Banks return, stating that it would be "super cool" to get in the ring with her.
While Banks' future in WWE is uncertain, her impact on the WWE women's division during her time with the company was significant, and her potential return would undoubtedly be a memorable moment in her career.
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Sasha Banks' departure from WWE
Sasha Banks, also known as Varnado, had a long and successful career with WWE. She signed with WWE in 2012 under the ring name Sasha Banks and was assigned to the developmental territory NXT. She went on to win the NXT Women's Championship and was promoted to WWE's main roster in 2015, where she held the WWE Raw Women's Championship five times. In 2016, she and Charlotte Flair became the first women to headline a WWE pay-per-view event, the first to compete in a Hell in a Cell match, and the first to win the PWI.
However, despite her success, Banks often felt undervalued and dissatisfied with her position in WWE. She had a long history of problems with the company, including a well-publicized hiatus in 2022 after a creative disagreement regarding the booking of its tag team titles. She and her tag team partner, Naomi, unexpectedly abandoned their titles, refusing to compete, which led to their titles being stripped and their suspensions. This incident sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling community.
After her departure from WWE, Banks began using the ring name Mercedes Moné in the AEW and NJPW spheres. As Moné, she has focused on incorporating fashion into her character and has continued to make waves, achieving her long-term dream of wrestling in Japan and being paid handsomely for it. She remains an elite pro wrestler and a beloved fan favorite.
While there are rumors of a possible return to WWE, Banks has indicated that she would need to repair her bad history with the company and make some concessions. She has stated that she believes she will return to WWE one day, noting that she has "unfinished business" in wrestling. Only time will tell if Sasha Banks will indeed make her return to the WWE stage that both shaped and strained her career.
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Sasha Banks' success in other promotions
There have been speculations about Sasha Banks' return to WWE. On the Kick Rocks podcast, Banks noted that she believes she will return to WWE one day. Ric Flair also expressed a similar sentiment. Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and holds championships in several other promotions.
Outside of WWE, Banks has found success in various endeavours. She made her acting debut in the second season of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, portraying Koska Reeves, a Mandalorian who serves under Bo-Kata. She also ventured into modelling, making her debut at New York Fashion Week alongside Naomi in 2022. Banks has also been successful in the business world, as her CBD brand, Kanndela, won an award from the World CBD Awards.
In her professional wrestling career outside of WWE, Banks has performed under the name Mercedes Moné in promotions such as AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), World Wonder Ring Stardom, Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). She is currently the AEW TBS Champion and holds titles in RevPro and CMLL. In NJPW, she was a former IWGP Women's Champion and Strong Women's Champion.
Banks' debut match in Japan received a high rating from wrestling critic Dave Meltzer, who gave it four and a half stars. However, her popularity in Japan has been questioned, with reports suggesting that she did not receive a big reaction from the local audience during her match at NJPW's Sakura Genesis. Despite this, several female wrestlers, including Indi Hartwell, Cora Jade, and Britt Baker, have cited Banks' match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn as their inspiration to pursue professional wrestling.
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Ric Flair's comments on Sasha Banks' return
During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair discussed the future of Mercedes Moné (formerly Sasha Banks) and her potential return to WWE. Flair expressed his confidence in Moné's eventual return, stating, "I think that ultimately she'll end up back in the WWE." He highlighted the considerable money, freedom, and top position that Moné is currently enjoying in AEW. However, Flair emphasized Moné's self-belief and her ability to stay at the top of the wrestling world for a decade, alongside top performers like his daughter, Charlotte Flair, and others such as Randy Orton and John Cena.
Flair also drew comparisons between Moné and the legendary Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, praising the chemistry between Moné and his daughter. He recalled a memorable cage match between the two, saying they were "tearing the joint down." Flair's comments reflect his belief in Moné's potential return to WWE, acknowledging her current success in AEW while highlighting her long-term impact in the wrestling industry.
Ric Flair's comments on Sasha Banks' potential return to WWE have sparked discussions among fans and in the wrestling community. While some agree with Flair's prediction, others have differing opinions. Some fans question WWE's willingness to pay for Banks' return, considering her substantial paycheck and creative freedom in AEW. They speculate that a return might only be likely once she is semi-retired or if WWE offers a bigger payday.
Despite the mixed reactions, Banks herself has hinted at the possibility of returning to WWE. In a clip from the Kick Rocks podcast, Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone, noted, "I know I'm gonna be back there one day. Okay? So it's not over... I have a lot of unfinished business in wrestling, in a lot of places." This statement suggests that Banks leaves open the possibility of returning to WWE, even as she explores other opportunities in the wrestling world.
Overall, Ric Flair's comments on Sasha Banks' return to WWE have generated interest and speculation among fans and the wrestling community. While Flair expresses confidence in her eventual return, the timing and circumstances remain uncertain. Banks' own hints at a potential comeback further fuel the discussions, leaving fans curious about her future endeavors in the wrestling world.
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Current WWE stars' desire to face Sasha Banks
While it is unclear if Sasha Banks will return to WWE, she has expressed interest in facing several WWE stars in the past. In 2021, Banks named Zelina Vega, Tegan Nox, Liv Morgan, and Toni Storm as future opponents she wanted to face after winning the WWE SmackDown Women's title at SummerSlam. She also returned to WWE SmackDown that year to set up a match with Bianca Belair, the current SmackDown Women's Champion at the time.
Banks has had a tumultuous relationship with WWE, having walked out during a 2022 episode of RAW alongside her tag team partner Naomi. Both wrestlers were suspended, and their titles were vacated. Despite this, Banks has stated that she believes she will return to WWE one day to finish her "unfinished business in wrestling". She is currently known as Mercedes Moné and is expected to debut for AEW.
Current WWE stars have also expressed their desire to face Sasha Banks. A former multi-time WWE Women's Champion, Mickie James, reflected on a previous encounter with Banks and wrote that she hoped to cross paths with her again. James currently performs for NWA and IMPACT Wrestling, so any match with Banks would depend on the latter being free of her WWE deal.
With Banks's potential return to WWE and the interest from current WWE stars, there is a possibility that fans may get to see these desired matchups in the future. However, it remains to be seen whether Banks and WWE can work out their differences and if her return will be a full-time run or limited to one-off matches.
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Frequently asked questions
Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Mone, has not returned to WWE since she and Naomi walked out in May 2022. However, Banks has stated that she believes she will return to WWE one day, saying "I know I'm gonna be back there one day. Okay? So it's not over."
Since leaving WWE, Banks has joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and won the TBS Women's Championship. She also won the IWGP Women's Championship under the name Mone.
Current WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton has said that she hopes Banks returns to WWE, stating, "I hope so. I think that would be super cool if she came back. I would love to get in the ring with her." Ric Flair has also commented that he thinks Banks will ultimately end up back in the WWE.
