According to Fightful Select, some of AEW talent they spoke with said they have been “no sold” when asked if Mercedes Varnado (Sasha Banks) is Saraya’s mystery partner showing up on the January 11 episode of Dynamite at the KIA Forum in Los Angeles, CA. Saraya and a mystery partner of her choosing are set to face Britt Baker and AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter on the episode.
Fightful Select also notes that with the rumors “not being shot down”, it has people in AEW assuming Saraya’s mystery partner is Vernado. It was further said there has also been no hints given that it could be her either. Fightful stated AEW could not drop hints until after January 1 when Vernado officially became a free agent.
The report from Fightful Select concludes by saying that at least some of the writing staff within WWE were caught off guard by the news of Vernado signing some dates with New Japan Pro Wrestling that includes appearing at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4. A WWE writer was said to be under the impression that since the NJPW deal was done this past November, they thought WWE could get her back by the Royal Rumble.