Mercedes Varnado, a name synonymous with groundbreaking achievements in professional wrestling and burgeoning success in acting, has captivated audiences worldwide. Known to WWE fans as Sasha Banks and to others as Mercedes Monè, Varnado’s journey is one of constant evolution and barrier-breaking performances. From her pioneering efforts in WWE’s women’s division to her foray into the acting world with a role in the acclaimed series The Mandalorian, Varnado’s impact extends far beyond the wrestling ring. She stands as a testament to talent, determination, and the power of reinvention in the entertainment industry.
Varnado’s wrestling career is decorated with accolades and historical moments. Before reaching global stardom, she honed her skills in the independent circuit, notably with Chaotic Wrestling, where she captured the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship. Her transition to WWE and its developmental brand NXT marked the beginning of a dominant run. Across WWE and NXT, Varnado has held eight championships, including the NXT Women’s Championship, five Raw Women’s Championships, the SmackDown Women’s Championship, and she was also a part of history as a three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and the inaugural titleholder. Her global wrestling journey continued as she debuted in NJPW in 2023, quickly claiming the IWGP Women’s Championship, and further expanded to AEW in March 2024, securing the AEW TBS Championship at Double or Nothing in May 2024 against Nightingale.
Varnado’s career is punctuated by matches that have redefined women’s wrestling. Her clash with Bayley at NXT Takeover: Respect in 2015 was a watershed moment, marking the first time a women’s match headlined a major WWE event and the first-ever women’s Iron Man match. In 2016, alongside Charlotte Flair, she continued to shatter glass ceilings, participating in the first women’s Hell in a Cell match and headlining a WWE pay-per-view event at WWE Hell in a Cell. That same year also saw them make history as the first women to main event WWE Monday Night RAW in a women’s match since 2004. Her WrestleMania 37 main event against Bianca Belair in 2021 was another monumental achievement, celebrating Black excellence as both performers became the first African-born individuals to headline WrestleMania. Adding to her list of firsts, Varnado is also the first wrestler born in the 1990s to headline WrestleMania.
Beyond the wrestling arena, Mercedes Varnado has successfully transitioned into acting, demonstrating her versatility and expanding her reach. She made her acting debut in the second season of the critically acclaimed Disney+ series The Mandalorian, taking on the role of Koska Reeves. This role not only showcased her acting talent but also introduced her to a broader audience, further solidifying her status as a multi-faceted entertainer. Mercedes Varnado’s career trajectory reflects a relentless pursuit of excellence and a willingness to break new ground, cementing her legacy as not just one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of all time, but also as a rising star in the acting world.
