Mercedes Moné

Mercedes Moné, born on January 26, 1992, is an American professional wrestler and actress renowned for her dynamic performances in the ring and on screen. Currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), she competes under the ring name Mercedes Moné and has made a significant impact by becoming a one-time AEW TBS Champion, holding the record for the longest reign in the title's history. Her career has also seen her perform for AEW's partners, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), as well as various independent promotions.

Varnado's journey in wrestling began in 2010 on the independent circuit, where she quickly gained recognition, notably winning the Chaotic Wrestling Women's Championship. In 2012, she signed with WWE, adopting the ring name Sasha Banks. Her tenure in WWE from 2012 to 2022 was marked by groundbreaking achievements, including being the first woman to headline an NXT TakeOver event and the first to compete in a Hell in a Cell match. Her match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect was celebrated as a historic moment in women's wrestling.

Throughout her WWE career, Varnado captured the WWE Raw Women's Championship five times and was instrumental in elevating women's wrestling to new heights. She made history again at WrestleMania 37, where she and Bianca Belair became the first two African Americans to headline the event. After leaving WWE in 2022 due to creative differences, she made her debut in NJPW/Stardom in January 2023, where she won the IWGP Women's Championship. Following her contract with NJPW/Stardom, she joined AEW in early 2024, making a splash with her in-ring debut and capturing the AEW TBS Championship shortly thereafter.

Varnado's accolades extend beyond championships; she has been recognized as