Mercedes Mone’ (former WWE Superstar Sasha Banks) will challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship at at Battle in the Valley on Saturday, February 18. The event will take place live from the San Jose Civic and will be available on FITE TV with English commentary.
The title match was set up when Mone’ made her debut at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 on Wednesday following KAIRI’s successful IWGP Women’s Championship defense against Tam Nakano. Mone’ came out and confronted KAIRI and then laid her out. Mone’ told KAIRI she is coming to both NJPW and Stardom. Mone’ declared herself “the standard, the conversation, the blueprint, and the CEO” of the women’s division in NJPW.