Backstage Update On Sasha Banks' WWE Contract Status [Report]
Emily Bell Many WWE fans are still waiting for updates on the statuses of Sasha Banks and Naomi, who walked out of the company during the 5/16 edition of Raw.
As previously noted, Banks and Naomi (then the Women's Tag Team Champions) reportedly walked out of the 5/16 Raw show due to unhappiness with the creative plans for them that night. Apparently, the plan was for Naomi to win a Six-Pack Challenge to determine the new No. 1 contender for Bianca Belair's Raw Women's Championship.
Two months ago, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Banks and Naomi could return at any moment, but it remains unclear if one or both stars will eventually return.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), Meltzer provided an update on Banks. According to Meltzer, the former Raw and SmackDown Women's Champion remains "under contract", but it's unclear when she could return. Meltzer head that there were "hang-ups in negotiations for a new deal."
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Plenty of previously released WWE stars have returned under the new leadership team of Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan and Triple H. Banks and Naomi weren't released, of course, but perhaps the change in leadership following Vince McMahon's retirement will lead to the longtime fan favorites returning.
On the 5/20 episode of SmackDown, Michael Cole announced that Banks and Naomi had been suspended indefinitely, and that a tournament would be held to decide the new Women's Tag Team Champions. Aliyah and Raquel Rodriguez won the tournament on the Aug. 29 episode of Raw, though they lost the championships two weeks later to Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai.
Latest On Naomi's Status
Two weeks ago, the Observer noted that WWE may have frozen Naomi's contract. It's common for WWE to do this for superstars that are absent long-term (injuries or other factors), especially if they don't want to release a specific superstar. If WWE indeed froze Naomi's contract, it's a very strong indicator that they want her back. We'll just have to see how it all plays out.
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