Who is Mercedes Varnado?
Mercedes Varnado is the real name of the female superstar wrestler, Sasha Banks. Her most famous or known in-ring names are Sasha Banks and Mercedes Moné.
From 2012 to 2022, Mercedes was a part of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she was known as Sasha Banks. However, in March 2024, she signed a deal with AEW. They have given her an in-ring name: Mercedes Moné.
Mercedes began her journey as a professional wrestler in her teens.
Mercedes Varnado’s Basics
Mercedes Varnado was born on 26 January 1992 in Fairfield, California, United States. She is a professional wrestler and actress. The age of Mercedes is 33 years. Mercedes has German and African-American descent.
| Basics | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mercedes Varnado |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler and Actress |
| In-Ring Names | Mercedes KV, Mercedes Moné, Miss Mercedes and Sasha Banks |
| Born | 26 January 1992 |
| Age | 33 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Birth Place | Fairfield, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Decent | German & African-American |
| Decent | Christinaity |
Mercedes Varnado Physical Stats
Being a professional wrestler, Mercedes is a super-fit athlete. She is a regular at the gym, keeping her fitness in check.
- Height: 5 feet and 5 inches
- Weight: 54 kg
- Body Mesurements: 34-24-35 inches
- Shoe Size: 8 (US)
- Eye: Dark Brown
- Hair: Dark Brown (But she changes the hair colour regularly).
- Fitness: Gym
- Tattoo: Protect (on her right arm).
Parents and Siblings
- Father: Reo Varnado is the father of Mercedes. He is a retired professional wrestler. He comes from the African-American race.
- Mother: Judith Kaestner, also known as Judith Varnado, is the mother of Mercedes. She has German-American descent. Judith’s role was the biggest in making Mercedes a successful wrestling face. She changed and lived in different cities just to make her daughter’s dream come true.
- Siblings: Joshua Varnado is her only sibling. He is a specially-abled person. Joshua has autism.
Cousins
Mercedes has some famous cousins:
- Snoop Dogg is her first cousin. They even walked together at WrestleMania 32 on 3 April 2016. She had the “Boss” character in WWE. Snoop Dogg did perform a rap for Mercedes and walked along with her to the ring.
- She has other celebrity cousins: Brandy Norwood, Ray J, Daz Dillinger and Nate Dogg.
They are Mercedes’ relatives from her father’s side.
- Cute Childhood story
Mercedes Varnado came from a notably decent background. At her school, she was talking about Snoop Dogg being her cousin. But none of her friends believed.
Mercedes called Snoop and requested him to visit her school, and Snoop did come in reality. It showed that Snoop was always supportive towards his family.
Mercedes Varnado Childhood and Education
While Mercedes was born in Fairfield, she moved to Minnesota, Iowa and Boston as a child. It was due to Mercedes’ parents giving their best to provide their son the best medical care, as he has autism.
Her father, due to his professional (life) commitments, was away from the family mostly. Hence, the mother played the leading role at home.
At the young age of 10, she fell in love with WWE and aimed to become a professional wrestler. Back then, she was a fan of the great Eddie Guerrero.
Mercedes went to school during her early days, but she also did homeschooling as the Varnado family was changing cities on a regular basis.
At the age of 16, she started formal training to be a pro wrestler.
Love Life
Mercedes was in a relationship with Sarath Ton for years before getting married on 4 August 2016. Sarath is a former wrestler and a ring-gear designer. However, Mercedes and Sarath divorced in 2024. But the pair separated in 2020. They have no children. Mercedes has not become a mother.
Mercedes Varnado Pre-WWE Career
- In 2008, Mercedes Varnado began learning the basics of pro wrestling.
- Todd Smith, Brian Fury, Brian Milonas and Sara Del Rey are four of Mercedes’ notable trainers.
- She went to Chaotic Wrestling’s school in Massachusetts for formal education in pro wrestling.
- Back then, she started to perform as a wrestler, and her in-ring name was Mercedes KV.
- On 8 August 2008, she made her professional debut as an independent wrestler for Independent Championship Wrestling.
- From 2010 to 2012, she was associated with Indie Promotions:
- New England Championship Wrestling
- National Wrestling Alliance
- Women’s Wrestling Showcase
- Boston-based Indie Companies
- In December 2011, she won the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship. It was her first world title.
Mercedes Varnado WWE and Rise (2012 to 2022)
Mercedes made her dream come true in 2012 when she signed a deal with WWE to perform in NXT as Sasha Banks.
- In 2015, she won the NXT Women’s Championship.
Hence, in 2015, Sasha became a major part of the WWE Main Roster Superstar circle.
- She became the Raw Women’s Champion five times.
- Once, she even won the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- He is a three-time Women’s Tag Team Champion.
- She is the first-ever Women’s Tag Team Champion in WWE.
- At WrestleMania 37, she did a main event with Bianca Belair. It was seen as a major moment for Black Women worldwide.
In May 2022, she left WWE due to creative differences. But Mercedes played a mega role in making women superstars in WWE from just being divas.
Mercedes Varnado AEW (2024 onwards)
In March 2024, she joined the AEW and became a mega star. Her in-ring name is Mercedes Moné.
- In May 2024, she won the TBS Championship.
- She has adopted the character of “The CEO”. It shows her boss moves.
Film Debut
In 2023, with “The Collective”, Mercedes made her film debut. She played the role of Nikita. It has opened another avenue for her.
Social Media
Mercedes is active on TikTok, Instagram and X. But she uses her in-ring name Mercedes Moné. She uses these platforms basically to promote her professional career.
- Instagram: @mercedesmone
- TikTok: @ceomercedesmone
Mercedes Varnado Earnings and Net Worth
Mercedes Varnado’s updated net worth is around 8 million USD. With her AEW deal, she makes around 3 million USD in a year. Mercedes’ main income source is pro wrestling, but she makes sums from brand deals, modelling and acting.
- Mercedes loves collecting luxury bags, with a massive collection of over 70 bags.
- Mercedes loves driving high-end cars, too.
FAQs
Q Why did Mercedes Varnado leave the WWE?
In 2022, Mercedes Varnado parted ways with WWE due to creative differences.
Q Who is Mercedes Varnado?
Mercedes Varnado is an American professional wrestler. Sasha Banks is her most famous in-ring name.
Q Is Snoop Dogg related to Mercedes Varnado?
Snoop Dogg is the first cousin of Mercedes.
Q What is Mercedes Monet’s real name?
Mercedes Monet’s real name is Mercedes Varnado.
Q Who is Mercedes Monet’s husband?
From 2016 to 2024, Sarath Ton was the husband of Mercedes.
Trivia
- While her hair colour is dark brown, she likes to colour it pink, purple, etc.
- Making the in-ring name “Sasha Banks” in WWE was her own idea.
- She is the first female WWE superstar to be (both) WWE Grand Slam & Triple Crown Champion.
- Early in her career, she battled with depression.
- She is a massive anime and manga fan.
- Earning around 3 million USD a year, she is one of the best-paid female pro wrestlers. ‘
- Amongst WWE fans, she is known for her fashion aesthetics.