During an interview with Sherri Shepherd, Mercedes Moné was asked about her departure from WWE, where she competed as Sasha Banks.
It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my whole life, but it’s the most important thing that I ever did in my whole life because I truly found myself. I went from Sasha Banks the Legit Boss to Mercedes Moné the CEO of my own life. Taking control of my own life and career, and really for me I wanted the opportunity to give more for women’s wrestling.
I couldn’t give more of being in the same place, and if you wanna grow, you gotta go. You know? You gotta go, go plant your seeds, go let it flourish and turn into a beautiful flower that you’re meant to be.
Moné and Naomi, then the Women’s Tag Team Champions, reportedly walked out on WWE in May 2022 after creative disputes with Vince McMahon.
Mercedes appeared in New Japan Pro Wrestling throughout 2023 before signing with AEW, making her debut for the company in March 2024.
After winning the TBS Championship at Double or Nothing that year, Moné has gone on to win the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship at Forbidden Door and the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship at Wrestle Dynasty.