Mercedes Varnado

Mercedes Varnado

Birth : 1992-01-26, Fairfield, California, USA

History

Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado (born January 26, 1992) is an American professional wrestler and actress. She is currently signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) under the ring name Mercedes Moné. Varnado also appears in NJPW's sister promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom. She is best known for her time in WWE from 2012 to 2022, where she performed under the ring name Sasha Banks. Varnado began her wrestling career in 2010 on the independent circuit, most notably for Chaotic Wrestling, where she won the Chaotic Wrestling Women's Championship. She signed with WWE in 2012 under the ring name Sasha Banks and was assigned to the developmental territory NXT. She would later win the NXT Women's Championship. Her match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect in October 2015 was the first women's match to ever headline an NXT TakeOver, the first iron woman match in WWE history, and the longest women's match in WWE history at the time with a length of 30 minutes.[5] Their match was voted by Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) as Match of the Year, with Varnado also being voted as Woman of the Year. In 2015, Varnado was promoted to WWE's main roster, where she went on to hold the 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 women to compete in a Hell in a Cell match, and the first women to win the PWI award for Feud of the Year.[6] In 2019, she won the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with tag team partner, Bayley, at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. In 2020, she won the SmackDown Women's Championship at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, thus becoming the third-ever WWE Women's Grand Slam Champion and the fourth WWE Women's Triple Crown Champion. That year, she was named Wrestler of the Year by Sports Illustrated.[7] At WrestleMania 37, Varnado and opponent Bianca Belair became the first black women to jointly headline a WrestleMania, WWE's flagship event.[8][9] She was the third most tweeted about female athlete in 2021.[10] After creative issues in 2022, Varnado walked out of WWE and was unable to negotiate a new contract. She then made her debut for NJPW/Stardom at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January 2023 under the ring name Mercedes Moné. Outside of wrestling, Varnado began an acting career in 2020. Her debut role was the character Koska Reeves in the second season of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian.

Profile

Mercedes Varnado
Mercedes Varnado
Mercedes Varnado

Movies

The Collective
Nikita
A group of righteous assassins called The Collective take aim at a highly sophisticated human trafficking ring backed by a network of untouchable billionaires. With their backs against the wall, The Collective has no choice but to put their most important mission in the hands of rookie assassin, Sam Alexander.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17
Mercedes Moné
Wrestle Kingdom 17 is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion. The event will take place on January 4, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan.
WWE WrestleMania 38 - Sunday
Sasha Banks
The most stupendous two-night WrestleMania in history concludes with The Biggest WrestleMania Match of All-Time as Brock Lesnar battles Roman Reigns in a WINNER TAKE ALL Championship Unification Match.
WWE Royal Rumble 2022
Sasha Banks
Royal Rumble Matches featuring Raw and SmackDown Superstars and surprise entrants offer a path to chase championship glory at WrestleMania. Brock Lesnar defends the WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley in a clash of the titans.
WWE Day 1 2022
Sasha Banks (archive footage)
WWE kicks off 2022 with the first-ever Day 1 event. Big E puts the WWE Championship on the line against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley in a Fatal 5-Way Match. Becky Lynch defends the Raw Women's Title against Liv Morgan.
WWE Survivor Series 2021
Sasha Banks
It is the one night of the year where Raw and SmackDown go head-to-head at Survivor Series as champions will collide and teams will do battle to determine who the ultimate survivors from each brand really are!
WWE Crown Jewel 2021
Sasha Banks
WWE Crown Jewel is a wrestling event from WWE which will air on 21 October 2021 from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be the fourth event in Crown Jewel series and WWE’s first Internation PPV since the start of COVID-19 pandemic.
WWE Extreme Rules 2021
Sasha Banks
Bianca Belair faces off against SmackDown Women's Championship "The Man" Becky Lynch for her championship, and "The Queen" Charlotte Flair will look to successfully defend her Raw Women's Championship against Alexa Bliss.
I might smack a b**** 'cause I felt like it
Olei Hosterman
Amy Knowles gets into a fight with her bestie and then acts likes she owns the school. But what happens with a bigger, badder, and stronger girl wants to fight?
WWE WrestleMania 37: Night 1
Sasha Banks
The 37th annual Showcase of the Immortals is back in business at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida as night one will feature Sasha Banks defending her SmackDown Women's Championship against Bianca Belair, Damian Priest & Latin recording artist Bad Bunny take on The Miz & John Morrison, AJ Styles & Omos face off against The New Day for the Raw Tag Team Championships, and WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends his title against Drew McIntyre.
WWE Fastlane 2021
Sasha Banks
The final stop on the Road to WrestleMania 37 shifts into high gear as Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler take on Bianca Belair & SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks for the Women's Tag Team Championships, Braun Strowman gets his chance at revenge against Shane McMahon, Big E defends his Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews, and "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns faces off with Daniel Bryan for the Universal Championship.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2021
Sasha Banks
One of WWE's most deadly steel structures is back for another year of destruction as WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends his title against five other competitors inside the Elimination Chamber. Meanwhile, "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against the winner of a #1 Contender's Elimination Chamber Match on the same night. Also, Bobby Lashley defends his United States Championship against Riddle and John Morrison.
WWE Royal Rumble 2021
Sasha Banks
The annual beginning of the Road to WrestleMania featured Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Goldberg, Kevin Owens facing "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns in a Last Man Standing Match for the Universal Championship, and of course, the annual Men's and Women's Royal Rumble Matches that determined who will headline the Showcase of the Immortals.
The Best of WWE: 10 Best Matches of 2020
Sasha Banks
In a year of uncertainty and change, WWE once again delivered a bevy of unforgettable showdowns. These matches are the best of the best from 2020, from a groundbreaking and innovative cinematic match to classic old-school battles decided inside the squared circle.
WWE Slammy Awards 2020
Sasha Banks
R-Truth is your host as you know WWE hands out awards for Superstar of the Year, Match of the Year, and much more, celebrating the very best of Raw and SmackDown in the 2020 Slammy Awards.
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2020
Sasha Banks
December's annual instruments of destruction event features "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns defending his Universal Championship against Kevin Owens, as well as WWE Champion Drew McIntyre taking on AJ Styles for the WWE Championship happening in a TLC match. Randy Orton also faces "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt in a Firefly Inferno Match.
WWE Survivor Series 2020
Sasha Banks
WWE's annual Thanksgiving tradition showcases the battle for brand supremacy as champions & competitors from both Raw and SmackDown collide. This includes the Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day taking on the SmackDown Tag Team Champions the Street Profits, the Raw Women's Champion Asuka taking on the SmackDown's Women's Champion Sasha Banks, as well as the Universal Champion "The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns versus the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre. This year also sees The Undertaker saying his final farewell as he celebrates 30 years worth of truly iconic moments.
WWE Hell in a Cell 2020
Sasha Banks
This hellish structure will see three different championships on the line inside its solid steel walls as Sasha Banks takes on Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Championship, Drew McIntyre fighting for his WWE Championship against Randy Orton, and for the first time ever inside Hell in a Cell, "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns defends his Universal Championship against Jey Uso in an "I Quit" Match.
WWE Payback 2020
Sasha Banks
Taking place at the WWE ThunderDome in Orlando, Florida, the event will feature "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns in a No Holds Barred Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship, as well as Sasha Banks and Bayley defending their WWE Women's Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
WWE SummerSlam 2020
Sasha Banks
WWE's 33rd annual "biggest party of the summer" will feature Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Randy Orton and Dominik Mysterio in his debut match, taking on Seth Rollins.
WWE Extreme Rules 2020
Sasha Banks
This WWE PPV event will feature Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Dolph Ziggler, as well as Braun Strowman taking on "The Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt in a Swamp Fight for the Universal Championship.
WWE Backlash 2020
Sasha Banks
This World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) produced PPV event features the self-proclaimed "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" as Edge faces off against Randy Orton.
WWE Money in the Bank 2020
Sasha Banks
Taking place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, this event will feature both the Men's and the Women's Money in the Bank ladder matches happening simultaneously at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
WWE WrestleMania 36: Part 2
Sasha Banks
The second night of the 36th annual WrestleMania event being held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, hosted by former New England Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski.
A Future WWE: The FCW Story
Sasha banks
Florida Championship Wrestling readied WWE for its future, then faded away. For the first time ever, discover FCW's story and how the Tampa-based developmental territory was the training ground for many of today's top WWE Superstars, including Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair, Big E and more. LESS
Booth Party
Sasha Banks
Troy Aikman and Joe Buck get ready for Super Bowl LIV surrounded by Pizza Hut pizza and wings -- the most important part of their pregame prep. When Jimmy Johnson shows up, they hope he will give one of his famous pregame speeches, but alas, he is food-driven and happy to have arrived when he did; when several athletes and other FOX Sports personalities come through with similar motives, it turns out Johnson had invited all of them. This devolves the pregame prep session into a pizza and dance party -- luckily, the most important part of their prep is the food.
WWE Survivor Series 2019
Sasha Banks
Taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, this is the 33rd annual event under the Survivor Series chronology. This is the first time in the history of the event that the NXT brand will be featured.
WWE Hell in a Cell 2019
Sasha Banks
Hell in a Cell (2019) is a professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brands.
Trish & Lita – Best Friends, Better Rivals
Sasha Banks
An interview with Trish Stratus, an interview with Lita, 23 matches of their most memorable matches between the year 2000 and their in-ring returns to WWE in 2018, a couple of non-wrestling segments on top, Trish’s Hall of Fame induction speech, and Lita’s Hall of Fame induction speech too!
WWE WrestleMania 35
Sasha Banks
WrestleMania 35 is the thirty-fifth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw, SmackDown, and 205 Live brands. It took place on April 7, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event featured the first-ever women's main event match in the show's history.
WWE Fastlane 2019
Sasha Banks
Fastlane (2019) is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown Live brands. It took place on March 10, 2019, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the fifth event promoted under the Fastlane chronology.
WWE The Best of Raw and Smackdown Live 2018
Sasha Banks
WWE The Best of Raw and Smackdown Live
WWE Royal Rumble 2019
Sasha Banks
Royal Rumble (2019) is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brands. It will take place on January 27, 2019, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the thirty-second event in it's history.
WWE Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2018
Sasha Banks
2018 broke new ground for WWE. Dream matches were realized. Rivalries culminated. Superstars from Raw and SmackDown set the standard for exciting in-ring action.
WWE Starrcade 2018
Sasha Banks
Starrcade (2018) was a professional wrestling show and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brands. It took place on November 24, 2018 at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio and aired on November 25, 2018
WWE: 30 Years of SummerSlam
For over three decades, the WWE Universe gets fired up by the hottest event of the summer, SummerSlam! Now relive those incredible moments with WWE’s 30 Years of SummerSlam. Who could forget the Ladder Match featuring The Rock and Triple H or the insane Boiler Room Match between Undertaker and Mankind? From Ultimate Warrior’s first championship victory to the personal rivalry of Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks, this set highlights the event’s greatest milestones. Welcome to The Biggest Party of the Summer! Welcome to 30 Years of SummerSlam!
WWE Extreme Rules 2018
Sasha Banks
Extreme Rules (2018) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event, produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brands. It will take place on July 15, 2018 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It will be the tenth event under the Extreme Rules chronology.
Then, Now, Forever: The Evolution of WWE’s Women’s Division
Every week, the women of Raw and SmackDown Live are breaking barriers while stealing the show at WWE events all over the globe. Now, see how it all began with Then, Now, Forever: The Evolution of WWE’s Women’s Division. From trailblazers like Alundra Blayze and Chyna, to pioneers like Lita and Trish Stratus, all the way to today’s awe-inspiring athletes such as Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka, the revolution was indeed televised, and you get to witness it all right here with some of the greatest and most groundbreaking women’s matches of all time. From Wendi Richter to Ivory to Becky Lynch to Ronda Rousey, see how these amazing women helped shape the landscape of WWE today.
WWE Elimination Chamber 2018
Sasha Banks
Elimination Chamber (2018) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It took place on February 25, 2018, at T-Mobile Arena in the Las Vegas Valley, in Paradise, Nevada.
WWE Best of Raw & SmackDown Live 2017
Sasha Banks
2017 saw new WWE Superstars win championship gold, legends return to glory, and moments that made the WWE Universe say "This is awesome!"
WWE Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2017
Sasha Banks
2017 was another monumental year for WWE. New Superstars became household names, dream matches were realized, and the Superstars of Raw and SmackDown Live raised the level of competition in the world of sports entertainment.
WWE Survivor Series 2017
Survivor Series (2017) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event, produced by WWE for the Raw and SmackDown brands. It will take place on November 19, 2017, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, and will be the thirty-first event under the Survivor Series chronology.
NXT: From Secret To Sensation
In recent years, NXT has emerged as an incredible box office draw for WWE with sold out live network specials from Brooklyn to Dallas to the United Kingdom! But things weren’t always this way: watch WWE’s “developmental” system churn out future Hall of Fame superstars and grow from its underwhelming infancy in Louisville through 2017!
WWE No Mercy 2017
Sasha Banks
WWE SummerSlam 2017
Sasha Banks
SummerSlam (2017) is an a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw and SmackDown brands. It took place on August 20, 2017, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It is the thirtieth event under the SummerSlam chronology.
WWE Great Balls of Fire
Sasha Banks
Great Balls of Fire is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It will take place on July 9, 2017, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. It will be the first event under the Great Balls of Fire chronology.
WWE Extreme Rules 2017
Sasha Banks
Extreme Rules (2017) was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event, produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It took place on June 4, 2017, at the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the ninth event under the Extreme Rules chronology.
WWE WrestleMania 33
Sasha Banks
WrestleMania 33 will be the thirty-third annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE for the Raw and SmackDown brands. It will take place on April 2, 2017, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. It will be the second WrestleMania to be held at this venue, which hosted WrestleMania XXIV in 2008, and the third to be held in the state of Florida.
WWE Fastlane 2017
Sasha Banks
Fastlane (2017) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It will take place on March 5, 2017 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This will be the third event in the Fastlane chronology.
WWE Best of Raw & SmackDown Live 2016
Sasha Banks
2016 was a whirlwind year for WWE. New faces emerged, legends returned, and the future of the WWE roster changed forever with The Brand Extension.
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016
Sasha Banks
WWE Roadblock: End of the Line 2016
Sasha Banks
Roadblock: End of the Line was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw brand and the new cruiserweight-exclusive brand, 205 Live. It took place on December 18, 2016, at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
WWE Survivor Series 2016
Sasha Banks
Survivor Series (2016) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw and SmackDown brands. It will be taking place on November 20, 2016, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It will be the thirtieth event under the Survivor Series chronology.
WWE Hell in a Cell 2016
Sasha Banks
Hell in a Cell (2016) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It will take place on October 30, 2016 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It will be the eighth event under the Hell in a Cell chronology.
WWE Clash of Champions 2016
Sasha Banks
Clash of Champions (2016) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view event and WWE Network event produced by WWE. It will take place on September 25, 2016 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. It will be the first WWE event under the Clash of Champions chronology, replacing Night of Champions. It will also be the first Raw branded event following the second WWE brand extension in July 2016.
WWE SummerSlam 2016
Sasha Banks
History was made at The Biggest Event of the Summer, where Brock Lesnar went into Beast mode against The Viper, an inaugural WWE Universal Champion was crowned, and much more.
WWE Battleground 2016
Sasha Banks
Battleground (2016) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE. It will take place on July 24, 2016 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. It will be the fourth event under the Battleground chronology.
WWE WrestleMania 32
Sasha Banks
WrestleMania 32 was thirty-second annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It took place on April 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This was the third WrestleMania to be held in the state of Texas after 2001 and 2009, and the first to take place in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.
NXT's Greatest Matches Vol. 1
Sasha Banks
NXT has become the incubation of innovation, jumpstarting the careers of future WWE Superstars and Divas. This DVD highlights the very best of NXT and features early matches from Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Rusev, Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens and more! Witness the now, the evolution, and revolution of NXT.
WWE Fastlane 2016
Sasha Banks
Fastlane (2016) is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It took place on February 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It was the second event under the Fastlane chronology.
WWE The Best of Raw & SmackDown 2015
Sasha Banks
For 52 weeks out of the year, audiences from all across the globe hang on the edge of their seats to witness nonstop entertainment and exhilarating action that can only be seen on Raw and SmackDown.
WWE Royal Rumble 2016
Sasha Banks (Appearance)
Royal Rumble 2016 was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE. It took place on January 24, 2016 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. It was the 29th event under the Royal Rumble chronology and the first WWE pay-per-view of 2016. This was the fifth Royal Rumble to be held in the state of Florida after the 1990, 1991, 1995 and 2006 editions. It was the second Royal Rumble in Orlando since 1990 and the first pay-per-view event at Amway Center since it opened in 2010.
WWE Best Pay-Per-View Matches 2015
Sasha Banks
2015 proved to be another banner year for WWE. New champions were crowned, legends returned, new faces arrived, and the WWE Superstars and Divas delivered some of the greatest pay-per-view matches in WWE history.
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2015
Sasha Banks
TLC: Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (2015) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It will take place on December 13, 2015 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It will be the seventh event under the TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs chronology.
NXT TakeOver: Respect
Sasha Banks
NXT TakeOver: Respect is an upcoming major professional wrestling show in the NXT TakeOver series that is scheduled to take place on October 7, 2015, produced by WWE, showcasing its NXT developmental brand, and will be streamed live on the WWE Network. It will be held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The show is slated to feature the semi-finals and finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
NXT All Star Panel
Sasha Banks
Hear from Triple H, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Kevin Owens and Corey Graves in the NXT All Star Panel! Hosted by Byron Saxton.
WWE SummerSlam 2015
Sasha Banks
The biggest event of the summer just got hotter when SummerSlam returns to the east coast and invades Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY! The Undertaker attempts to avenge the most historic defeat in WWE history when he rises from the ashes to challenge Brock Lesnar. Plus, in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Seth Rollins battles United States Champion John Cena in a winner takes all match, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose battle The Wyatt Family, and much more on the biggest night of the summer!
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn
Sasha Banks
NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn took place on August 22, 2015, in the Barclays Center of Brooklyn, New York City, New York, a day before SummerSlam was held in the same venue. This was first NXT TakeOver held outside of Full Sail University; WWE promoted it as "action featuring the next generation of WWE ... on the biggest stage yet".
WWE Battleground 2015
Sasha Banks
Battleground (2015) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It will take place on July 19, 2015 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It will be the third event under the Battleground chronology.
NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable
Sasha Banks
It’s official! The next generation of Superstars and Divas are set to hijack the WWE Network with their high-octane brand of sports-entertainment on Wednesday, May 20, when NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable airs live at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT!
NXT TakeOver: Rival
Sasha Banks
The Superstars and Divas of NXT are ready to take over WWE Network once again!
NXT TakeOver: R-Evolution
Sasha Banks
The future is now and the future will collide at NXT TakeOver: R-Evolution. Adrian Neville defends the NXT Championship against Sami Zayn.