After months of speculation, Mercedes Varnado—who many know fondly as the former WWE superstar Sasha Banks (No. 5 on the 2022 BRP50)—made her New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut this week during Wrestle Kingdom 17, attacking current IWGP Women's champion KAIRI under her new moniker,Mercedes Moné.
TBH, you should've known this was happening when she took time out yesterday to send hella tweets thanking everyone from her past. Here's what went down at Wrestle Kingdom 17, courtesy of F4WOnline: "After KAIRI defeated Tam Nakano to retain the IWGP Women’s Championship, Banks came out, using the name Mercedes Mone. She at first congratulated KAIRI and offered to shake her hand. It was a trap, however, as Banks laid her out. Banks then took a microphone and said that she is here in New Japan and Stardom to make more history, and called herself the CEO of the women’s division. She promised to take the title from KAIRI at NJPW Battle in the Valley, which takes place in San Jose on February 18."
"CEO of the women's division" is dope, IMO. Also interesting to note that while many thought Moné would be making her in-ring debut on Jan. 21 for Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 17, she will be battling KAIRI in America on February 18 at NJPW Battle in the Valley. (No wonder the NJPW of America account was making eyes.)
And yes, there are still a contingent of folks out there who believe she will be teaming with Saraya later this month in AEW; that hasn't been confirmed, nor do I think it should be. As a wise man once said, "let them wait!" It does look like all of that talk about Bayley being in Japan to support her girl makes sense; she had to do it to recreate this image with FTR.
We'll no doubt be digging into this situation more in depth on this week's episode of BRP. Tap in this Thursday at 8:35PM ET; subscribe to us at youtube.com/blackrasslin if you haven't already!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns with our brand of insight and entertainment for the last time in 2022. This week, illfam79, Matth, Drip, Mimi, and khal are all on hand, looking look back at the year 2022 in Black Rasslin'. All of the biggest (and
Blackest) topics will be discussed, from Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill
reigning supreme to Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out on the WWE, and much more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns ahead of SummerSlam Weekend. illfam79, Matth, Drip, Mimi and khal are joined by Spice Spiegel and Harts to talk Black Girl Magik II, which hits Brooklyn, NY on Friday, August
19. They talk throwing this year's event, what you can expect, and all
kinds of other insanity. Later, Drip talks about hitting AEW Dynamite's
Quake at the Lake taping with Big Mike, which includes an intriguing
conversation about Jade Cargill in 2022. The squad also talks about
Chrisean Rock trending, Ric Flair passing out during his Last Match, and
much more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
For four years, The Black Rasslin’ Podcasthas dropped the #BRP50—which ranks the 50 Best Black professional wrestlers in the squared circle, today—on Juneteenth. While the aim has always been to shine a light on the talented Black performers in federations across the globe, we start to notice interesting trends when you examine each wrestler based on their win-loss records, the duration of the titles they’ve held, and their overall impact across the professional wrestling diaspora. Every year, there are interesting trends, and one clear trend that we noticed from May of 2021 through May of 2022, is that Black Women have been showing up, showing out, stealing the show, and helping pave the way for the future of women’s wrestling, not to mention the art of professional wrestling in general. Don’t believe me? Look no further than the EST of the WWE, current WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair.
Belair’s rise isn’t a fluke. We saw her early—I vaguely remember the start of the conversation, but through the haze, brother Matth called Belair, who was just starting to cook in NXT, a “superior athlete.” Then I saw her strength and agility in-ring, paired with her huge personality, and knew she was going to be a star. I don’t think I was ready for her to rise to the top so quickly—it’s rare for the WWE to book in ways that make an ornery Black dad smile—but I was glued to the TV whenever Belair’s music hit. Braid in hand, she’d command the arena, building her babyface rep while strutting into the 2022 #BRP50 calendar year as SmackDown Women’s Champion. That 133-day reign was cut short in 26 seconds, and internal conversations about this year’s #BRP50 looked specifically at where Belair would land based on whether she could win big. She won big, the queen sitting atop her throne with the Raw Women’s Championship, and could likely be one of the biggest stars the WWE has produced if they continue to keep her at the top of the card while allowing her to be as unapologetically Bianca as she wants to be.
That’s Monday night, though. Over on TBS, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has been cultivating its own Black superstar. (Typing that felt weird as hell, but hear me out.) When we had her at a strong no. 16 on the 2021 #BRP50 list, there were some doubters. Many thought we were too early, and that she was too green. It didn’t matter; while everyone was wondering which male superstar Tony Khan was going to strap the rocket too, they slept on Jade Cargill’s rapid ascension to the top of the AEW Women’s division. Currently AEW TBS Champion—a title she’s held since January 5—she’s been on an undefeated streak, booting the competition with ease, while building up her Baddie Section, which aims to put beautiful women of all walks of life into the crowd. That gimmick led to Cargill forming a stable with Kiera Hogan and Red Velvet, which could eventually be the illest part of this entire gimmick. Jade Cargill, green as grass, dominates the competition in less than one year, and has already reached back to bring two dope performers along for the ride? That’s what you’re supposed to do.
While we are not blinded by the gold, it’s hard to neglect the championship accomplishments of Black women in professional wrestling. The situation between Sasha Banks and Naomi ended on an extremely sour note, but for a month and change, they were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Their energy was felt across the world—you could tell that they were having mad fun doing TikTok’s and being in their world…although in hindsight, that could have likely been due to what was lacking in their time like champs. Speaking of time as champion, Trisha Adora continues to hold that Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Championship—a title she won BEFORE THE PANDEMIC STARTED—high. We also had women like Tasha Steelz, who made it her business to own IMPACT throughout 2021 and 2022. After lighting up the Women’s Tag division with the aforementioned Kiera Hogan as Fire ‘N Flava, Steelz set her sights on a singles competition. Steelz spent the second half of 2021 building up her singles rep, making several impressive turns in tournaments she was featured in. At the top of 2022, she won the inaugural Knockouts Ultimate X match, eventually taking the Knockouts Championship from Mickie James back in March. On top of all of that, you can feel the hunger and passion in the Brick City bomber. Steelz been ready.
Another competitor we’d say has “been ready” is the mighty Willow Nightingale, who was just starting to consistently pop up on AEW Dark ahead of the 2022 #BRP50 calendar year. Nightingale, a seasoned vet with a big smile and a mean pounce who’s everywhere, has taken on everyone over the past year; Trish Adora, Tay Conti, Joseline Navarro, Wheeler YUTA, Effy, Queen Aminata, Kimber Lee, Brandi Rhodes, Deonna Purrazzo, Taya Valkyrie, and MANY more. The key? She’s done it as Willow, a super fun, tough pro wrestler who packs a pounce and feels like she’s destined for greatness.
There are even women on the 2022 #BRP50 that seem to have been grossly underutilized and underrepresented. Take Nyla Rose, who hasn’t held AEW gold in a bit but ended up vacating the VWR Women's Championship back in January after a 224-day run. Rose ended this run with a 40-5 record, with many of her wins happening on AEW Dark. That’s impressive, no matter how you slice it; it’s a run that feels like it could have championship implications if AEW wanted to prop Rose’s impressive record up like they would the record of an Adam Cole. Maybe when they are ready to have Jade Cargill take a break for a bit.
Keep in mind, that’s almost 1,000 words without mentioning Sasha Banks dominating the early part of the 2022 Royal Rumble. Or acknowledging the come-ups of Savannah Evans and Holidead, two women who are unique and undeniably ill in the ring. Or discussing the multiple belts Marti Belle has held on to over the last year, including the NWA Women’s Tag Team Championship. Black Women? They are running this wrestling shit. And that isn’t hyperbole: the most dominant women on both major professional wrestling shows are Black. (No diss, Rousey) I’m not going to hold you, but Sasha Banks is arguably one of the best pro wrestlers walking the Earth.
Lowkey, AEW has many talented Black Women getting their reps in, consistently, while IMPACT is unafraid in letting Tasha Steelz become the star we know she will be. And in a world where Trish Adora can stomp through ROH, AEW, and anywhere else she sees fit while still rocking the Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling Championship on her waist. Amazing Black Women in professional wrestling exist and are stealing the show while walking away with the gold. Don’t trust us? Trust the stats. And follow the leaders.
The Black Rasslin' Podcast is back covering a stacked week in pro wrestling. illfam79, Matth, Drip, and khal are joined by Spice Spiegel to speak on Black Girl Magik II, which hits Brooklyn, NY on Aug. 19, 2022! Not
only does she break down how Black Girl Magik—her all-Black woman pro
wrestling show—began, but she gives BRP the exclusive on this card's
main event! Later, the squad previews AEW Double Or Nothing, wonders if
CM Punk should be champion, talks Cody Rhodes vs. The Miz on Raw, The
Undisputed Usos, and MUCH more!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast is back covering a stacked week in pro wrestling. illfam79, Matth, Drip, Mimi and khal are joined by The Renegade Twins to discuss their recent match against Bougie Reality, their love of sneakers, linking with Katie Forbes, and MUCH MORE! Later, the squad looks back at a weekend full of going outside (including hitting the NJPW Capital City Collision show and running into Chris Bey and Powerhouse Hobbs), previews the TAKEOVER vs. STP card, and speaks on the fallout from Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out on Monday Night Raw this week, and who was the most wrong. Insane show as per usual; TAP TF IN!
You know the routine: you can stream and download this week's episode via SoundCloud, and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify! We stream live every Thursday at 8:35PM ET on YouTube. We also encourage you to become a member of the BRPatreon,
where you can get even MORE exclusive content (and merch discounts)!
We'll catch you next week; tell a friend to tell their homies to LIKE,
rate, comment, subscribe, and
share!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast is back with a LIVE #FAMVEMBER celebration to remember. illfam79, Matth, Drip and khal are all on hand to take in a dope set from Creek before discussing the pollution on the pro wrestling timeline every week, Kevin Owens as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti doing the nasty on the TNT Championship, the Sasha Banks episode of WWE Evil, and much more! And don't forget, we will be LIVE on Wednesday next week (March 30), not Thursday!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns with an intersting look at the post-Rumble week in pro wrestling. illfam79, Matth, Drip and khal are all on hand to get into a #NoCapRecap of the Royal Rumble, figure out who the new BRP Predictions Champion is, and figure out why Shane McMahon got released. Later, the discussion turns to recapping MJF vs. CM Punk, Lio Rush's injury, and much more!
The Black Rasslin' Podcast returns with another LIVE episode. Matth, illfam7, Drip, and khal (who is still on vacation) had to link up to talk about what happened to Bianca Belair at the hands of Becky Lynch at SummerSlam, CM Punk's AEW debut, Carmelo Hayes beating Odyssey Jones in the NXT Breakout Star tournament, when we expect Goldberg to be back fighting Bobby Lashley, and much more!
