According to F4WOnline, there is now some clarity as to why Naomi has not joined her former tag team partner Mercedes Mone’ in Japan.
The reason appears to be financial as the report notes Trinity Fatu (former WWE Superstar Naomi) is not in NJPW/Stardom at this time, is there is pressure to “keep spending down” within Bushiroad’s wrestling division.
Furthermore F4WOnline stated the following:
The hard part about a longer commitment to Mone is Bushiroad’s wrestling division. Even though Stardom has seen great growth, the promotion has has overall major financial hit because of New Japan’s declines related to the pandemic. Because of this, the wrestling division is under pressure to “keep spending down”. They were told they could bring in Trinity Fatu. However, it was felt it would cost too much for the return, which is why there has been no current deal.
Last month, Fatu filed to trademark the name Trinity Starr, in which it has been assumed that could be her new name when returns to in-ring action.
The report concluded regarding Mone’s contract situation, noting that Bushiroad confirmed their original deal was to end with at this weekend’s Stardom pay-per-view event, but that an extension has been discussed. Mone’ had also said in a a recent SI interview her contract was not expiring which could indicate the two sides have come to a new deal.