A lot of things are expected to change in WWE with Vince McMahon’s retirement. One of them could be their reconciliation with Sasha Banks and Naomi.
Dave Meltzer talked about the former women’s tag team champions during his appearance on Sports Illustrated Media podcast. He revealed that the company is expected to make attempts to bring the duo back:
“It’s kind of up in the air. They’re gone, the last I heard was that there would be attempts made to reconcile, especially with Vince gone. So, it’s up in the air. I don’t think there’s anything definite just yet.”
Sasha Banks and Naomi
Sasha Banks and Naomi infamously walked out of WWE before the May 16 episode of Raw. They were unhappy with some creative decisions as well as the treatment of the women’s tag titles.
With the team of Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and Nick Khan being at the helm of WWE, it’s very much possible that the former champions may agree to a comeback.
A new report has revealed the possible reason that Liv Morgan has finally received a push by WWE.
Many were surprised when WWE decided to give Liv Morgan a major push over the last few weeks. Earlier this month, Liv won the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Later that night, she cashed in the briefcase on Ronda Rousey to become the SmackDown Women’s Champion.
Liv Benefits From Sasha & Naomi?
In the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer revealed that “part of the reason, if not the key reason, for the recent push of Morgan was the walking out of Sasha Banks and Naomi.”
Meltzer noted that when they left WWE needed a top-tier babyface for the SmackDown women’s division. Now we see that Morgan was the one who got the pick of the draw, which has worked out because fans have always been strongly behind her.
As previously reported, Banks and Naomi are still under contract with WWE. However, Banks’ lawyer is reportedly working on her release. Banks has been making non-wrestling bookings and reportedly won’t make any wrestling-related bookings until next year. It was also reported that Sasha Banks has an asking price of $30,000 for non-wrestling appearances.
There’s been no recent discussion about the vacant WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
The titles have been vacant since WWE stripped Sasha Banks and Naomi in mid-May after the two stars walked out of the company and were suspended independently.
On an episode of SmackDown that same week, WWE announced that a tournament would be held to crown new Women’s Tag Team Champions, but that was the last word spoken of the titles on WWE programming.
Fightful reports that talent they’ve spoken with have noted they’ve received no word of when or if the tag team title tournament will happen. Since that announcement, talent claims they’ve also heard no discussion regarding the titles.
The titles were introduced in February 2019, with Sasha Banks and Bayley being the inaugural champions. Banks and Naomi were the 13th set of champions in the history of the titles, with their reign ending at 47 days.
In the weeks before the titles were vacated, Natalya had been moved into a singles title program with then-SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, while Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley were split up, reducing the number of teams in the women’s division.
For many wrestlers, the ultimate goal of their careers is to one day work for WWE.
While there are other wrestling promotions around, none are as big as the McMahon-founded promotion, which continues to air across the globe.
Only a select handful of wrestlers will ever be called WWE Superstars, but one wrestler is wanting out now.
Naomi Wants Out
It’s been close to two months since Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of the May 16, Raw, over a creative difference with the planned main event.
Reports have come out that Banks has parted ways with WWE, though haven’t been confirmed by either side, but now Naomi wants out.
Responding to former WWE Superstar Lince Dorado, who asked the former SmackDown Women’s Champion when they’ll work together on “some lucha things” Naomi said she hopes to do so “Asap.”
Naomi debuted on WWE TV in 2010, boasting two reigns as SmackDown Women’s Champion and one as WWE Women’s Tag Champion.
After coming up short in season 3 of the original NXT reality show format, Naomi debuted as part of the Funkadactyls before branching out as a singles competitor.
She is also married to Jimmy Uso and had previously discussed in the past wanting to join her husband and their family on-screen as part of the Bloodline.
That idea seems highly unlikely now given her suspension and her desire to get out of the company and work with others as soon as possible.
It’s been nearly two months now since Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE Raw over a creative difference with the planned main event.
The then-WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions believed that the main event, which would have seen Naomi earn a Raw Women’s Title match, lessened the importance of their tag titles.
Since then, the duo has been suspended without pay, and WWE has done all they can to distance themselves from the pair.
Naomi’s Comment
Naomi worked for WWE for over a decade on TV before her suspension and has seemingly grown tired of the way talent are being treated.
In an Instagram Story, the former SmackDown Women’s Champion didn’t mention WWE by name but had some choice comments about being taken advantage of.
“The moment you stop people from taking advantage of you and disrespecting you is when they define you as tough, selfish or crazy. Manipulators hate boundaries.”
Naomi.
Fans were quick to assume that Naomi was speaking about WWE given how the company has treated her in recent months.
Will Naomi go?
While it has been reported that Sasha Banks has been released by WWE, Naomi is seemingly still with the company.
The big question now is will she go, as her contract is reportedly set to expire later this year.
It’s always worth considering that Naomi is married to Jimmy Uso, and that being part (albeit indirectly) of the Bloodline carries some significant influence.
The last thing WWE wants to do is draw the ire of Roman Reigns should they release his cousin’s wife.
There have been conflicting reports on the WWE status of Sasha Banks and Naomi. However, an update has come from PWinsider, reporting today that Banks and Naomi were removed from WWE’s Internal roster over the last 24 hours.
It was added that they had heard rumblings that Banks may be doing some signings outside of WWE this fall, but that is not confirmed.
There were reports from Wrestling Inc. and WrestleVotes that Banks had been released. Dave Meltzer previously reported that Banks and her lawyers were still working on getting her release, but the release had not been granted.
Banks and Naomi walked out of a Monday Night Raw event this past May because of creative differences with Vince McMahon regarding a six-pack challenge on the show. The plan was for Naomi to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Title while Banks was supposed to wrestle then-SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at Hell in a Cell.
WWE later announced that the two stars were indefinitely suspended and stripped of the Women’s Tag Team Titles. They later removed their merchandise from WWE Shop and their contracts were put on hold.
Naomi hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since her now-infamous walkout during the May 16, 2022 episode of Raw.
“The Glow” alongside Sasha Banks walked out due to a creative difference with the planned main event, which would have seen Naomi earn a shot at the Raw Women’s Title.
The duo, then the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, believed the match would lessen the importance of their titles, and while Naomi hasn’t been seen since, she will soon be back on TV.
Naomi’s Appearance
On Twitter, the fan-run account @NaomiWWENews announced that the former SmackDown Women’s Champion will feature on an episode of the upcoming season of Celebrity Game Face, hosted by Kevin Hart.
Naomi herself would go on to confirm the news by retweeting this tweet though there is no word on when the episode will air.
More Guests
After over a month off TV, Naomi’s appearance will be a huge deal for WWE fans, but she won’t be the only WWE names around.
Eonline.com reports that WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins will also be appearing on the third season of Celebrity Game Face.
WWE Superstar Naomi is spreading some positive vibes on Twitter, in her first tweet since being suspended by the company.
During the May 16 2022 Raw, Naomi and Sasha Banks, then the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, walked out of the show.
The pair did not agree with the plans for them to enter feuds for the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships, believing it made their Tag Titles seem unimportant.
Naomi’s Five Tips
On Twitter, “The Glow” shared an inspirational video detailing five “things you need to hear today.”
1. Important people come and go. That’s ok.
2. You can look at it as rejection or you can look at it as redirection.
3. You define what fun is. Don’t allow someone to make you feel like what you like is stupid.
4. Sometimes, you’re gonna have to let other people down to make yourself happy.
5. Diet isn’t just what you eat. Your diet is what you watch, listen to and allow around you.
In the comments, fans responded by referencing Naomi’s walkout, with many believing the video was related to her and Banks’ departure last month.
Interesting, WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin tweeted that number 4 was especially important.
#4, though 🙏🏽
— Samantha (The Bomb) (@SamanthaTheBomb) June 11, 2022
Is Naomi leaving WWE?
Naomi has been serving her suspension since May 20, but some believe that she may not be returning to TV at all.
It’s been reported that Naomi’s contract, like Banks’, expires soon, and there’s been no word yet on whether WWE has frozen her deal due to the walkout.
WWE has taken steps to distance themselves from both former champions, with Banks and Naomi having their merchandise pulled from WWEShop.com.
The Superstars are reportedly not getting paid during their suspension either.
Ruby Soho recently spoke about Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out on WWE before an episode of Monday Night Raw. When the walkout happened, many people across the internet and different promotions began to give their own opinions. Sasha and Naomi have not yet commented on the incident. However, Ruby Soho, a former co-worker of theirs, has.
Ruby Soho On Her Relationship With Sasha & Naomi
When speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Ruby revealed that she supports both women and how they decided to stand up for themselves and their careers.
Ruby said, “I’m a very firm believer in everybody’s career and everybody’s experiences are different. No matter what company you work for, no matter who you are or what level you feel like you’re on or what level people portray you to be on. I feel like everyone’s experiences are different.
I have for a long time considered Sasha and Naomi to be friends of mine. If that in the moment and in their heart of hearts is what they felt like they needed to do, then I can only understand from an outside perspective because you never know with that kind of stuff.”
Ruby Soho On Sasha & Naomi Walking Out
The AEW star continued, “You never know what they’re experiencing, what their journey is like to that point, and why they felt like they needed to do what they needed to do. But at the end of the day, you can only just try and see them for who they are as people, and I adore them. So whatever they felt like they needed to do, I understand. Everybody handles things differently. Everybody has different experiences. So until you’re in the shoes of that person, you can’t always say what you would do.
It’s definitely one of those things where I’m glad that they did what was best for them and what they felt was right at the time. I’m always for people standing up for themselves regardless of the circumstances. So if that’s what they felt like they needed to do. 100%.”
Ruby Soho In AEW
Ruby Soho recently faced Britt Baker, in a losing effort, at AEW Double or Nothing in the finals of the Owen Hart Foundation Memorial Cup Tournament.
There has been little to no movement in the WWE saga with Sasha Banks and Naomi.
Fightful is reporting that there hasn’t been much, if any, communication between the two sides. It’s been said in the report that WWE has canceled all of its planned travel accommodations for Sasha and Naomi.
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions walked out of the May 16 episode of Raw. They had been booked to compete in a six-pack challenge.
PWInsider reported that Naomi was going to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship, while Sasha was going to face SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.
Creative differences were the reason cited for Sasha and Naomi bailing on the show.
The two were suspended indefinitely for their actions. WWE vacated the Women’s Tag Team Titles and announced a tournament to determine the new champions.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer has reported that plans for the tournament are essentially “dead in the water.”
The announced tournament to crown the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon.
During the May 16, 2022, episode of Monday Night Raw, then-champions Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out due to frustrations with their creative booking.
On the following SmackDown, Michael Cole announced that the pair had been suspended, stripped of the titles, and new champions would be crowned in a tournament.
While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that WWE has no plans for the tournament despite it being announced.
“That women’s tag team tournament is dead in the water. They had an idea for a four women’s team matchup, it was pitched but it was never signed off on as of like a week ago.”
Dave Meltzer
Crowning New WWE Women’s Tag Champions
WWE has not announced any teams for the tournament and has not announced a start date either.
Last week, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there had been different pitches made, including for a four-team tournament.
The teams pitched included Shayna Baszler & Natalya, Tamina & Dana Brooke, Nikki A.S.H & Doudrop, and Carmella & Queen Zelina.
The Observer noted that WWE had planned for Carmella & Queen Zelina to team up despite the pair having previously split on TV.
Zelina is currently sidelined, however, due to an injury. She reportedly underwent surgery for the undisclosed injury.
Sasha and Naomi walked out of WWE TV despite being scheduled for a six-pack challenge on the May 16 episode of Raw.
Rumors have swirled claiming the two walked out hours before the show began despite reports.
PWInsider was the first to report that creative differences were the main sticking point.
Sasha Banks and Naomi were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They were reportedly due for singles title matches at Hell in a Cell on June 5 and both were scheduled to lose.
WWE has had no issue publicly bashing “The Boss” and “The Glow.” The company has had commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves call the duo “unprofessional” on air.
In addition to not being paid during their suspension, all online merchandise for Sasha and Naomi has been pulled.
It’s been reported that the contracts of Sasha and Naomi are coming due soon. WWE has the ability to freeze those deals if they wish.
WWE Raw commentator Jimmy Smith has come to the defense of his broadcast colleagues for the backlash some have received over Sasha Banks and Naomi’s walkout.
The pair’s walkout has also forced WWE to change plans for the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships, which both Banks and Naomi were scheduled to compete for.
After the walkout, Corey Graves said the pair had acted “unprofessionally” while Michael Cole said the Superstars “let us all down” when announcing their suspension on last Friday’s SmackDown.
Speaking on his Unlocking The Cage with Jimmy Smith Podcast, Smith said that the two are just doing the job asked of them.
“Michael Cole and Corey Graves aren’t making this stuff up. People are getting mad at them like they’re freestyling stuff, they’re not. They’re broadcasters, if Vince [McMahon] had said, ‘Here, read this,’ I would’ve done exactly what Michael Cole did. Vince could’ve said, ‘Hey, Jimmy, I want you to read that,’ and I would’ve went, ‘Ah, okay! Sasha Banks and Naomi let us all down.’ I would’ve read the same thing.
“It’s this weird thing where like, in my sense, on Monday Night Raw, Corey Graves is getting all this sh*t. Corey Graves didn’t make up that statement, he’s a broadcaster and he was told to read it and he read it. So, I understand maybe the ire of the fans but the misdirection of that ire is weird. People getting upset at me or Corey Graves, you’re just getting mad at the wrong people. I don’t get that. Graves was told to say what he said and he said it.”
“People are getting mad at them like they’re freestyling stuff, they’re not. They’re broadcasters.”
Jimmy Smith, responding to criticism of Michael Cole and Corey Graves.
Both Banks and Naomi have been indefinitely suspended and had their merchandise pulled from WWEShop.com.
The contracts of both women are expected to expire later this year, though there is the possibility WWE could freeze their current deals.
One former World Heavyweight Champion in WWE is showing his support for Naomi.
Sasha Banks and Naomi are the talk of the wrestling world after walking out of the May 16 episode of Raw.
The two had creative differences over the direction of WWE’s women’s tag team division.
Naomi and Sasha were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions but they left the gold on the desk of John Laurinaitis and exited the building.
As a result, WWE has suspended both of them indefinitely and has vacated the tag titles.
Dolph Ziggler Takes A Stand
In the midst of the tense situation, Dolph Ziggler posted an image of himself with Naomi and stuck up for her when a notorious troll claimed he was defending unprofessionalism.
WWE has pulled all online merchandise for Sasha Banks and Naomi. The company took things a step further, saying that both of them disappointed millions of WWE fans during the May 20 episode of SmackDown.
The promotion took even more shots at Naomi and Sasha on the May 23 episode of Raw.
While fans have given Michael Cole and Corey Graves flak for their remarks on Sasha and Naomi, it’s important to note that they’re simply relaying what is being told to them.
Bryan Alvarez recently took to Wrestling Observer Live to report that WWE currently has no creative plans for a Sasha and Naomi return.
On the May 20 episode of WWE SmackDown, Michael Cole said that Sasha and Naomi let everyone down during the suspension announcement.
More Shots Fired
WWE
Many believe that WWE poured gas on the fire by taking shots at its former Women’s Tag Team Champions. They were already suspended and stripped of the titles and have had their merchandise pulled.
That isn’t enough for WWE as the company took even more shots at them during the May 23 episode of Raw.
Here’s what Corey Graves said during the broadcast.
“Last week it was the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship and the then Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha and Naomi would leave during the broadcast of Monday Night Raw.
“Walked out of the arena during the show and Nikki ASH and Doudrop were actually scheduled to be part of the six-pack challenge main event.
“Sasha Banks and Naomi would relinquish their Championships and disappointed the WWE Universe in the process.”
As journalist Scott Fishman points out, fans should remember these shots are not coming from Corey Graves himself.
Don’t shoot the messenger. Corey Graves also doing his job. #WWERaw
It’s been one week since Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out of WWE Raw due to creative differences. WWE has stripped them of the Women’s Tag Team Titles, suspended them indefinitely, pulled their Facebook pages, and removed them from the intro video package.
During today’s Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez recapped the situation and noted that creative is not working on anything for Banks and Naomi right now as WWE doesn’t have plans for them to return. Ringside News first reported the news.
“There are at this point zero plans for them to return, there is zero talk whatsoever about the two of them as it pertains to creative,” Alvarez said.
As previously reported, Naomi and Banks were upset with WWE planning to have them wrestle in the six-pack challenge match on Raw with Naomi going over to challenge Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at Hell in a Cell while Banks was supposed to challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at this same show.
This would’ve put the Women’s Tag Titles on ice for the next month. As of this writing, Banks nor Naomi has publicly commented on the situation, leaving fans waiting to hear their side of the story.
Pat McAfee’s reaction to Michael Cole announcing the suspensions of Sasha Banks and Naomi was genuine.
Just before the main event of the May 20 episode of WWE SmackDown, Cole addressed the situation involving the former Women’s Tag Team Champions. Sasha and Naomi had left the May 16 episode of Raw mid-show despite being booked for a match.
Cole announced that Sasha Banks and Naomi have been suspended indefinitely. He also said there will be a tournament to crown the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Pat McAfee Caught By Surprise
Fans watching at home quickly took notice of Pat McAfee’s facial expressions as Cole was talking.
During the latest edition of The Pat McAfee Show, the SmackDown color commentator said nobody told him that Cole would be announcing the suspensions of Sasha and Naomi.
“The Sasha-Naomi thing, that was my first time hearing what Cole was saying live there. I have no idea what to think there.
“I have no clue.
“This is a very fascinating thing. She’s [Sasha] a superstar, they were our champions. What’s happening? I honestly have no idea what to believe in this whole thing, they keep me out of the loop on everything.
“I have no f**king idea while Cole was doing his thing I was very fascinated. What is going on right now? I wish I had more answers for people. A couple of people asked me during my chat with Pat on Saturday what was going on.
“It’s like f**k I feel like you know more than I do literally as it was happening.”
It doesn’t look like the Sasha Banks-Naomi situation is going to get better anytime soon.
WrestleVotes is reporting that the expectation is that WWE management is in a foul mood over the actions of Sasha and Naomi.
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions walked out of the May 16 episode of Raw mid-show despite being booked for a match.
After talking to a few people, I gather this Sasha / Naomi situation is going to get worse before it gets any better. While the majority of the support online is in their favor, its quite the opposite with management.
“After talking to a few people, I gather this Sasha / Naomi situation is going to get worse before it gets any better. While the majority of the support online is in their favor, it’s quite the opposite with management.”
Suspension & Reaction
As a result of what transpired on Raw, Sasha Banks and Naomi have been suspended indefinitely. In addition, a tournament will be held to crown new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Taking a look on social media, there seems to be an overwhelming amount of support for Sasha and Naomi. Those who don’t agree with the support say the duo was unprofessional and did not fulfill their contractual obligations.
In WWE’s suspension announcement, Michael Cole said that Sasha Banks and Naomi let WWE fans down with their actions.
“Sasha and Naomi took the tag team championships into the office of our Head of Talent Relations, left them there, and then promptly walked out of the arena. Their actions disappointed millions of WWE fans and their fellow superstars.“
Sasha and Naomi were the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. WWE booked them for a six-pack challenge with the winner going on to Hell in a Cell to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship on June 5.
PWInsider reported that Naomi was scheduled to win the match.
WWE was forced to pivot when Sasha Banks and Naomi left the building mid-show, citing creative differences. This prompted WWE to issue a statement, revealing that the former Women’s Tag Team Champions left the gold on the desk of John Laurinaitis and walked out.
During the May 20 episode of WWE SmackDown, Michael Cole announced that Sasha and Naomi have been suspended indefinitely and a tournament will be held to determine the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has said he wouldn’t have tolerated his wife being called “unprofessional” on live TV.
During this week’s Raw, Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of the show, forcing WWE to scrap plans for a six-pack challenge main event.
On TV, Corey Graves said that the pair had acted “unprofessionally” ahead of the main event singles match between Becky Lynch and Asuka.
Speaking on the latest edition of Busted Open Radio, Henry discussed the call by Graves and though he didn’t call-out Uso by name, said that Naomi’s husband should’ve spoken in her defense.
“My issue was not even with the walkout, my issue was not even with the disagreement, or the disclaimer. My issue was with people on the show saying that was unprofessional because I’m going to tell you right now, if that was my wife and I’m working on that show, I’m walking down to the announce table and I’m going to say, ‘Hey, you stay professional. Do your job and then I won’t have to walk down here to the ring to tell you to not do that again.'”
On SmackDown, it was announced that Banks and Naomi had been suspended indefinitely and stripped of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Things are getting ugly between WWE and its former Women’s Tag Team Champions.
WWE officials were left scrambling during the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw. Sasha Banks and Naomi were advertised to take part in a number one contender match for the Raw Women’s Championship.
They were expected to share the ring with Asuka, Becky Lynch, Nikki A.S.H., and Doudrop in a six-pack challenge. In fact, Naomi was reportedly going to emerge victorious, while Sasha was to begin a program with SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.
It didn’t happen as Sasha Banks and Naomi left the building mid-show. Many wondered what the consequences would be and that question was answered during the May 20 episode of SmackDown.
Sasha Banks was said to have had creative differences with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. It’s also been reported that both Sasha and Naomi were working on having their contracts renewed before the incident.
Michael Cole announced that Sasha and Naomi Have been suspended by WWE indefinitely. On top of that, a tournament will be held to determine new Women’s Tag Team Champions.
WWE has poured gas on the fire by pulling merchandise for Sasha and Naomi. They took things a step further by replacing Naomi’s WWEShop link with a 404 error.
Sporting News’ Daniel Yanofsky caught wind of the WWEShop changes:
Following the news that Sasha Banks and Naomi have been suspended by #WWE, this is what you see when searching their names on the WWE Shop site. The image on the right is when you type Naomi's name. #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/3w1WKaYmZh
WWE might be speaking out on the situation involving Sasha Banks and Naomi on the May 20 episode of SmackDown.
During the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw, Sasha and Naomi were scheduled to perform in a six-pack challenge. That plan went out the window when the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions exited the building due to creative differences.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that WWE officials have had internal discussions on whether or not to address the situation on SmackDown tonight.
We're told there has been discussion of addressing Sasha Banks' and Naomi's status' on Smackdown. Neither are listed for the show.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 20, 2022
“We’re told there has been discussion of addressing Sasha Banks’ and Naomi’s status’ on Smackdown. Neither are listed for the show.”
This wouldn’t be the first time WWE publicly addresses the actions of Sasha Banks and Naomi. The company issued a statement the same night that the Women’s Tag Team Champions made their abrupt exit.
SEScoops has you covered with live WWE SmackDown results. Peep the homepage so you won’t miss a second of the coverage.
No matter how you feel about the situation, this is not a work and there are major issues between the involved parties.
We’ve got an update on Sasha Banks and Naomi’s WWE contracts, as well as their status for tonight’s SmackDown broadcast.
Contracts Expiring
Sasha Banks and Naomi’s fallout with WWE comes at a time when both women’s contracts are expiring soon.
It’s believed that Sasha Banks signed a 3-year contract extension with WWE in August 2019.
According to former WWE writer Kazeem Famuyide, the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions have been in contract negotiations with the company.
On the latest episode of The Masked Man podcast, Famuyide stated that both contracts are set to expire within the next two months.
Based on conversations we’ve had with people in the industry, we believe WWE will make a great effort to keep Sasha Banks under contract.
Status for SmackDown
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown takes place from Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s the first main-roster broadcast since Sasha Banks and Naomi’s walkout at Raw.
It does not appear either woman will be on hand for SmackDown. According to PWInsider, WWE sources have confirmed that Noami did not travel with husband Jimmy Uso for the show. The Usos will battle RK-Bro in a tag team championship unification match.
As for Sasha Banks, she was spotted on a Thursday night flight from Orlando to Minneapolis. While it’s entirely possible to make it from Minneapolis to Grand Rapids in 24 hours, she’s not expected at SmackDown.
SEScoops will keep you posted as more details become available.
Earlier this week, SEScoops spoke with Ariane Andrew, Naomi’s former tag team partner in WWE. During her discussion with Steve Fall, Andrew revealed she believes Naomi is being “manipulated” and would not have walked out of WWE on her own.
Some information on Naomi’s WWE contract has surfaced.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio is reporting that Naomi’s deal with WWE is set to expire in the near future. An exact date is unknown but it’s close.
She had been negotiating an extension before walking out of the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw. It’s been said that this could’ve played a factor in Naomi’s decision to join Sasha Banks in walking out.
In an exclusive interview, Ariane Andrew, formerly known as Cameron in WWE, told SEScoops’ Steve Fall that she believes Naomi was manipulated into leaving the arena with Sasha.
Ariane offered to reunite with her former tag team partner to avoid the “foolishness.”
Naomi and Sasha are the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They were supposed to be featured on a six-pack challenge this past Monday. PWInsider reports Naomi was going to win the match before her walkout.
The plan was for Naomi to challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell on June 5. Sasha would’ve challenged Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Title.
Both Naomi and Sasha were expected to lose those title matches.
Posted May 19th, 2022 in WWE, News. Tagged: Naomi.
Bully Ray has shared his thoughts on Sasha Banks and Noami walking out of WWE Raw, attacking the story from different angles.
WWE was left scrambling during the May 16 episode of Raw. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions were supposed to be involved in a six-pack challenge, which was set to feature Sasha, Naomi, Asuka, Becky Lynch, Nikki A.S.H., and Doudrop.
As first reported by PWInsider, Sasha and Naomi walked out mid-show. WWE issued a statement confirming that the two left their titles on the desk of John Laurinaitis and left the building.
WWE pivoted and booked Asuka vs. Becky with the winner facing Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell on June 5. Asuka won the match.
Naomi Set Up For The Bloodline?
During an edition of SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray admitted that he doesn’t know whether or not Sasha and Naomi leaving was a work.
It’s safe to say he hopes that it was, however, as he sees huge potential in Naomi joining her husband Jimmy Uso as well as Jey Uso and Roman Reigns in The Bloodline.
“Hey, maybe this is all one giant story to split these girls up and get Naomi into The Bloodline. Don’t know. If it’s a work, I love it already. This is Heyman-esque level, pay attention to details work.”
If it isn’t a work, however, Bully Ray believes that is a big no-no on the part of Sasha and Naomi.
“The way I was brought up in this business, you don’t walk out. You find a way to compromise. And if they were uncomfortable with something, I’m sure, in those eight hours, could’ve come up with ways to compromise so that they wouldn’t feel uncomfortable in the ring. It sounds like somebody was uncomfortable with the outcome of the match.”
Naomi’s close friend and former tag team partner, Ariane Andrew (Cameron), spoke to SEScoops’ Steve Fall in an exclusive interview. She believes that Sasha Banks may have manipulated Naomi into leaving Raw.
