Mercedes Moné Bio
Mercedes Justine Kaestner Varnado, known professionally as Mercedes Moné and formerly as Sasha Banks, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Born on January 26, 1992, in Fairfield, California, Varnado has established herself as one of the most decorated female wrestlers in professional wrestling history. As of 2025, she holds the distinction of being the most simultaneously-decorated wrestler of all time, having won championships across WWE, AEW, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).
Varnado rose to international prominence during her decade-long tenure with WWE from 2012 to 2022, where she performed under the ring name Sasha Banks. During this period, she achieved numerous historic milestones, including becoming the first woman to headline WrestleMania alongside another African-American woman. Her contributions to women’s wrestling have been widely recognized, earning her accolades such as Wrestler of the Year from Sports Illustrated in 2020 and top rankings in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual lists.
Early Life and Background
Mercedes Justine Kaestner Varnado was born on January 26, 1992, in Fairfield, California, to her mother Judith, who is of German descent, and her father Reo Varnado, who was African American. Her family relocated frequently throughout the United States, including time spent in Minnesota, as they sought appropriate educational and medical facilities for her autistic brother Joshua. The family eventually settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where Varnado would later launch her professional wrestling career.
During her youth, Varnado developed a passion for professional wrestling, watching All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling and idolizing performers such as Manami Toyota, Aja Kong, Rey Mysterio, and Eddie Guerrero. Her admiration for Guerrero was particularly strong. In October 2005, the then-13-year-old Varnado won tickets to attend a WWE Monday Night Raw taping where Guerrero was scheduled to appear. Upon arriving at the venue, she learned that Guerrero had died days earlier. This moment had a profound impact on Varnado, who would later incorporate tributes to Guerrero throughout her wrestling career.
Varnado attended online schooling during her formative years. Through her father’s side of the family, she is a first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg, who would later assist in developing her in-ring persona. Outside of wrestling, Varnado has expressed interests in anime and K-pop, citing Sailor Moon and BigBang among her favorites.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Varnado began her professional wrestling training in 2008 at Chaotic Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Woburn, Massachusetts. Among her trainers was Todd Smith, who would later join WWE under the ring name Ivar. Varnado has described her training regimen as particularly challenging, reflecting the demanding nature of preparing for a career in professional wrestling.
She made her in-ring debut on August 8, 2010, under the ring name Mercedes KV. Her first official match was a tag-team bout at the National Guard Armory in Quincy, Massachusetts, before an audience of approximately 70 people. For the next two years, Varnado competed on the independent circuit, primarily wrestling for Chaotic Wrestling, New England Championship Wrestling (NECW), and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). During this period, she developed a reputation for being highly self-critical and fiercely competitive, often seeking to improve her performance with each match.
In December 2011, Varnado achieved her first championship victory by defeating Alexxis in an I Quit match to win the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship. She held this title for 378 days before vacating it in December 2012 upon signing with WWE. This early success on the independent circuit laid the foundation for her transition to major professional wrestling promotions.
Mercedes Moné Career
Early Career (2010–2012)
Varnado’s early career was defined by her time on the New England independent circuit, where she honed her skills and built a reputation as a promising young talent. Her 378-day reign as Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Champion demonstrated her ability to maintain championship status over an extended period. During these formative years, she wrestled extensively for regional promotions, gaining valuable experience that would serve her well in larger organizations.
Her performances caught the attention of WWE scouts, leading to her participation in a tryout camp in June 2012. On August 18, 2012, WWE announced that Varnado had signed a contract with the company. She was assigned to NXT, WWE’s developmental territory, where she adopted the ring name Sasha Banks. Her televised debut came on December 12, 2012, when she faced Paige in a match on NXT.
WWE Breakthrough (2012–2022)
Sasha Banks quickly rose through the ranks of NXT, engaging in notable feuds with performers such as Paige, Summer Rae, and Bayley. In February 2015, she won the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time by defeating Charlotte in a fatal four-way match at NXT TakeOver: Rival. Her reign included successful title defenses against several prominent competitors. Banks’ match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect in October 2015 was particularly significant, as it marked the first women’s match to headline an NXT TakeOver event and the first 30-minute Iron Man match in WWE history for women.
Banks made her official main roster debut in July 2015 alongside Charlotte and Becky Lynch as part of a storyline revolutionizing WWE’s women’s division. Initially aligned with Naomi and Tamina as Team B.A.D., she eventually embarked on a singles career that would define the next several years of her WWE tenure. Her rivalry with Charlotte Flair became one of the most celebrated in women’s wrestling history, featuring groundbreaking moments such as the first women’s Hell in a Cell match and the first time women main-evented a WWE pay-per-view event.
Throughout her WWE career, Banks captured the Raw Women’s Championship five times, a record that stood at the time. In 2019, she and Bayley won the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at Elimination Chamber. The following year, she won the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell, becoming a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion and Triple Crown Champion. In April 2021, Banks and Bianca Belair made history as the first African-American women to headline WrestleMania in the main event of WrestleMania 37.
AEW Era (2024–Present)
After departing WWE in 2022 following a creative dispute, Varnado made her debut for NJPW and Stardom at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January 2023 under the new ring name Mercedes Moné. She captured the IWGP Women’s Championship, adding another major title to her resume. Following the conclusion of her NJPW and Stardom contract in December 2023, she signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) the following month.
Moné made her AEW debut at Dynamite: Big Business in March 2024. In her first AEW pay-per-view appearance at Double or Nothing in May 2024, she defeated Willow Nightingale to win the AEW TBS Championship. Her reign became the longest in the title’s history. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Moné continued to compete for AEW while also making appearances for partner promotions CMLL and NJPW, further solidifying her status as a globally recognized wrestling star.
Style and Strengths
As Sasha Banks in WWE, Varnado utilized the Bank Statement, a bridging crossface submission maneuver typically preceded by a double knee backbreaker. Her in-ring style incorporated technical wrestling skills, high-flying maneuvers, and psychological storytelling. Since adopting the Mercedes Moné persona, she has introduced the Moné Maker, a Gory Special transitioned into a DDT. Moné frequently performs the frog splash and triple suplex sequence known as the three amigos as tributes to her wrestling idol, Eddie Guerrero. Her character has evolved from the confident Boss persona in WWE to the CEO character in AEW, emphasizing fashion and authority.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout her career, Varnado has achieved numerous historic milestones. Her match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect in 2015 was named Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In 2016, she and Charlotte Flair became the first women to headline a WWE pay-per-view event and compete in a Hell in a Cell match. The main event of WrestleMania 37 in 2021, featuring Varnado against Bianca Belair, marked the first time two African-American women headlined WWE’s flagship event. In 2025, she set a new record by holding 13 belts comprising 11 championships simultaneously, surpassing a record that had stood for 30 years.
Mercedes Moné Career Wins
Mercedes Moné has compiled an extensive list of championship victories across multiple promotions and wrestling disciplines. Her ability to capture titles in WWE, AEW, NJPW, and CMLL has established her as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in history, regardless of gender. Each championship represents significant milestones in her career and contributions to the evolution of women’s professional wrestling.
WWE Highlights
During her decade with WWE, Varnado captured the Raw Women’s Championship on five occasions, setting a record at the time. She won the SmackDown Women’s Championship once and held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship three times with different partners. Her first major title came in NXT, where she reigned as NXT Women’s Champion. These accomplishments made her the third Women’s Grand Slam Champion and fourth Triple Crown Champion in WWE history.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside of WWE, Moné won the IWGP Women’s Championship in NJPW and the AEW TBS Championship during her tenure with All Elite Wrestling. She also captured the Revolution Pro Wrestling Undisputed British Women’s Championship in January 2025. Her victory in the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship in 2011 marked her first title win in professional wrestling. In 2025, her collection of simultaneous championship belts reached 13 across 11 different titles, setting a new record in professional wrestling.
Mercedes Moné Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mercedes Moné comes from a diverse family background. Her mother, Judith, is of German descent, while her father, Reo Varnado, was African American. Through her father’s lineage, she is a first cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg, who played a role in helping develop her early in-ring persona. Her family’s experiences moving across the United States to find appropriate care for her autistic brother Joshua influenced her upbringing and resilience.
Personal Life
On August 4, 2016, Varnado married retired professional wrestler and WWE costume designer Sarath Ton, known by the ring name Mikaze. The two had met while competing on the independent circuit. Varnado and Ton separated amicably in late 2020 but kept their separation private for several years. They officially filed for divorce in July 2024, with the divorce finalized on August 2, 2024. Varnado has been open about her mental health struggles throughout her career, discussing the pressures of competition and the impact of injuries on her well-being.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been particularly significant for Mercedes Moné as she continues to compete across multiple promotions. Early in the year, she won the Revolution Pro Wrestling Undisputed British Women’s Championship at Wrestle Dynasty. In March, she made her debut for House of Glory, defeating Indi Hartwell in a non-title match. Her most notable achievement in 2025 has been simultaneously holding 13 belts comprising 11 championships, a record that has garnered significant attention within the wrestling industry.
Moné’s championship collection has helped bring visibility to smaller wrestling promotions and their titles while elevating her own status as a globally recognized performer. Her ability to maintain championship status across different organizations demonstrates her versatility and drawing power. As of mid-2025, she ranked number one in the PWI Women’s 250, reflecting her standing as one of the premier competitors in women’s professional wrestling. Her ongoing storyline involves defending her various championships while pursuing opportunities to add even more titles to her historic collection.
