Mercedes Mone & Kazuchika Okada no longer expected for WWE Royal Rumble 2024

Mercedes Mone and Kazuchika Okada are two of the hottest free agents in the pro-wrestling industry. There have been a number of rumors that WWE is interested in signing them to the company and there was an internal belief that they will show up at Royal Rumble premium live event in Tampa Bay, Florida.
WWE previously reported that they ended their contract negotiations with Mone as there is a huge disagreement in the money deal. Okada on the other hand hasn’t signed a contract. There were also talks and expectations that both will be signing with AEW. Now recent reports reveal their WWE status.
Mercedes Mone & Kazuchika Okada WWE status
Pro Wrestling Insider (PWInsider) reported that neither Okada nor Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) are scheduled for the Royal Rumble.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select in his report confirmed stating that he had heard from a WWE source who has been working for Royal Rumble that WWE isn’t interested in signing Mone (aka Sasha Banks).
Ross Sapp when asked about Mercedes Mone WWE return, the source said, “Well, we’re not really interested in contract tampering with her, so I doubt it.”
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that both Okada and Mercedes Mone will be heading to AEW in soon.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported,
“Regarding Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the belief from this side is that both will be starting soon. Mone was doing acting work but there is talk her debut will be played up extremely big and that announcement could be soon. She has been back training to return to the ring. Her coming to AEW was expected for months, even before they showed her at Wembley. But she did negotiate with WWE after that and while they were far apart on money, unless the contract is signed nothing is a lock. For Okada, the last word was that he had not made up his mind. I know people here range from hopeful to I’d perceive as confident he will be coming.”
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