By Alistair McGeorge
Fans are convinced Sasha Banks is preparing for life after WWE after an intriguing set of trademarks filed by a new company called Soulnado.
The former SmackDown Women’s Champion – whose real name is Mercedes Varnado – hasn’t been seen on WWE television since she shockingly walked out of a Raw taping back in May alongside her tag team partner Naomi over creative issues, and her future has been the source of constant speculation.
Now, it has emerged new firm Soulnado, Inc. was set up in August 2022, and has recently filed for a number of trademarks for entertainment and merchandise purposes.
Through wrestling trademark attorney Michael Dockins, the company has made moves for Statement Maker, Mercedes Mone’, Mone’ Talks and Bank Mone’.
While it’s not known if Sasha has anything to do with the trademarks, Soulnado could be a nod to her surname Varnado, while Statement Maker could be a reference to her Banks Statement finishing move.
Away from wrestling, Soulnado also appears as a supernatural force in Mortal Kombat, which is described on the franchise’s fandom Wiki as ‘a bright green swirling tornado of immense spiritual energy, and of tortured spirits trapped between the Realms’.
WWE star Mercedes Varnado aka Sasha Banks attends premiere of Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk: Attorney at Law at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California
Meanwhile, Sasha recently added further fuel to the fire regarding her next move with a cryptic video on Instagram hinting at some big plans in the pipeline.
She said: ‘As time passes, there’s been so much growth and so much beautiful opportunity and the journey that I’ve been loving but as the time also goes on, the date is coming that I’ve been waiting for [for] the past six months.
‘I can’t wait, but I’m really going to make the most of November to make all my dreams happen in preparation for this date that I’ve been waiting for. I’m very excited.
‘I hope you guys come along for this journey, which I know a lot of you have been with me for so long so thank you, but I just wanted to let you know there’s going to be something so f***ing crazy coming.’
Sasha hasn’t appeared on screen since the May 13 episode of SmackDown, while she and Naomi defended the Women’s Tag Team Titles against Shayna Baszler and Natalya two days later on a live event.
The following night, they walked out of Raw and while the pair have been making waves on the runway at New York Fashion Week and beyond.
