Just a day before her highly anticipated clash with KAIRI at NJPW Battle in the Valley for the IWGP Women’s Championship, Mercedes Mone, formerly known to WWE fans as “The Legit Boss” Sasha Banks, shared a deeply personal and emotional video on her YouTube channel. This video offered fans an intimate look into her journey leading up to her New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17 and her feelings about her departure from WWE.
In the candid 23-minute video, Mercedes Mone openly discussed the internal struggles she faced after leaving WWE. “This whole time that I’ve been gone from the WWE, I’ve been really struggling [with] what’s next,” Mone confessed, highlighting the uncertainty that many face after significant career transitions. She elaborated on the challenge of separating her on-screen persona from her true identity: “What am I going to do in wrestling? Who am I? I’ve been a character for like 10 years in that company, so it felt like such a death. It’s just been such a long journey trying to figure out who I am after the WWE and now it’s finally coming together.” This poignant reflection underscores the significant emotional and identity shift experienced by performers transitioning away from long-term roles.
Mone then clarified the distinction between her past and present selves, stating, “[Sasha] was everything I wanted to be as a kid, but now I get to be Mercedes Monet and she is everything who I am now.” This statement marks a powerful declaration of self-discovery and evolution. She emphasized her growth beyond her previous “boss” moniker, embracing a new identity as “Mercedes Monet,” a “legit CEO.” “I’m evolving from a boss to a legit CEO, which is what I am in real life. I am the president of my own estate and I am f***ing so excited to begin this next chapter and this next journey. I’m just ready I’m ready to go,” Mone passionately declared. This rebranding signifies not just a change in wrestling promotion, but a personal and professional elevation to a self-defined leadership role.
Adding an intriguing layer to her narrative, Mercedes Monet revealed that she hadn’t finalized her NJPW contract until her arrival at Wrestle Kingdom 17. This detail emphasizes the element of risk and faith involved in her career move. This pivotal career change was set in motion after she and Naomi made the impactful decision to walk out before the May 16, 2022, episode of “WWE Raw.” Ultimately, Mone’s gamble paid off spectacularly. She triumphed over KAIRI at Battle in the Valley in San Jose, securing the IWGP Women’s Championship. This victory marked her first major championship win since her departure from WWE, solidifying her successful transition and the dawn of the Mercedes Monet era in professional wrestling.
