Mercedes Varnado

Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, known professionally as Sasha Banks (in WWE) and Mercedes Moné (in other promotions), 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.