- Born
- Birth nameJustine Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado
- Nicknames
- Mercedes KV
- The Boss
- Miss Mercedes
- Legit Boss
- The Blueprint
- The Standard
- Mercedes Mone
- The CEO
- Sasha Banks
- Mercedes Monè
- Ultimo Moné
- Height5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
- Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, known professionally as Sasha Banks (in WWE) and Mercedes Moné (in AEW and NJPW), is an acclaimed American professional wrestler and actress born on January 26, 1992, in Fairfield, California. Of German and African American descent, she began her wrestling journey at age 17 on the independent circuit, notably with Chaotic Wrestling, where she captured the Women's Championship. Signed to WWE in 2012 under the ring name Sasha Banks, she quickly rose to stardom, embodying the brash "The Boss" persona and becoming one of the most decorated women in company history. Her eight WWE titles include one time NXT Women's Champion, six times Women's Championships, and three WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. In a landmark moment, Banks headlined WrestleMania 37 alongside Bianca Belair, marking the first time two African American women main-evented WWE's flagship event.After departing WWE in 2022 amid creative differences, Varnado reinvented herself as Mercedes Moné, debuting in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and World Wonder Ring Stardom at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in 2023, where she claimed the IWGP Women's Championship. She joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2024, securing the TBS Championship and evolving her character into the commanding "The CEO." By November 2025, she achieved a historic feat by simultaneously holding 13 championships across promotions, solidifying her status as one of the greatest female wrestlers of all time-the first and only woman to win titles in WWE, AEW, NJPW and ROH.Transitioning to acting, Varnado made her screen debut as Koska Reeves, a Mandalorian warrior, in Seasons 2 and 3 of Disney+'s The Mandalorian (2020-2023). With her unparalleled athleticism, charisma, and trailblazing impact, Mercedes Moné continues to dominate the global wrestling landscape while expanding her multifaceted career.
- IMDb mini biography by: AB THE BOSS
- SpouseSarath Ton(August 4, 2016 - August 2, 2024) (divorced)
- ParentsJudith Kaestner
- RelativesJoshua Varnado(Sibling)Snoop Dogg(Cousin)Brandy Norwood(Cousin)Ray J(Cousin)Daz Dillinger(Cousin)Vernell Varnado(Aunt or Uncle)Sy'rai Iman Smith(Cousin)Melody Norwood(Cousin)
- Finishing move: Bankrupt (Straight Jacket Neckbreaker Slam)
- Finishing move: Bank Statement (Bridging Crossface, often transitioned from a Double Knee Backbreaker)
- Trademark move: Diving Double Knee Drop
- Trademark move: High Knee
- "Legit Boss" Pendant
- She is cousin of rapper Snoop Dogg. She is also a first cousin of music producer Daz Dillinger and singers Brandy Norwood and Ray J.
- Favorite wrestler is Eddie Guerrero.
- Is a big fan of anime. Her favorite is Sailor Moon (1995). She also wore a Sailor Moon inspired gear at Royal Rumble 2022.
- Mercedes Varnado was the first entry of the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match. In the match she eliminated Vickie Guerrero, Bayley and Trish Stratus, lasting 54:46 before being eliminated by Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia.
- Her match against Bayley at NXT Takeover: Respect (2015) on October 7, 2015 was the first women's match to ever headline a major WWE event, also it was the first women's Iron Man match.
- Bank on it!
- People are talking about women's wrestling, and that's all I've ever wanted since I was ten years old. I wanted people to talk about the women and all they could do. We're celebrating women's wrestling. People want to see us, and we're just doing our best.
- For me, I've always told myself, 'I can only do me in the ring.' When I go out there and perform, I can only do what Sasha Banks can do.
- The Boss doesn't need friends, but the ones I do have, I keep very close.
- Patience is key. You can't get selfish, and that's the number one thing I've learned at WWE. The world continues to go round, and I just knew - given the right opportunity and the right moment - that the world would know I was good, but now the world knows that I'm great.
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