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.
“Since it’s a pretty hot topic right now, I’m going to say Sasha Banks.… I think she is one of the top draws in all of WWE. She’s such a superstar, she’s such a good wrestler. She’s definitely somebody that I would love to wrestle,” Baker said.
Speaking to KXST-AM The Playmakers, Baker revealed that she got a lot of criticism from fans for wanting to face Banks (as transcribed by SEScoops):
“I literally answered an interview question. I didn’t call Sasha Banks out, I didn’t say, ‘Hey, this match needs to happen.’ I was just asked a question and I gave an answer,” Baker explained.
“They said what’s a cool dream match that you would like to have and Sasha is one of my favorite wrestlers. It wasn’t me challenging her, or challenging WWE. All I did was just say ‘Hey this is a cool dream match.’
“Her fans and the WWE fans and even just some wrestling fans, in general, did not like that and I don’t even think they read the whole interview. They read the clickbait and they run with it. They create such a nasty narrative when they don’t even know what they’re talking about and it is so frustrating.
“Because in my position, I am not going to respond to @John515 that has 19 followers. But I want to respond to John with 19 followers and tell him to shut the hell up, you don’t even know what you’re talking about!” Baker clarified.
Ironically, in that same interview, Britt Baker talked about the rampant toxic negativity on social media. She spoke about the cyberbullying that celebrities have to face online, to the point where she believes that some people just go to Twitter so that they can say something nasty and mean.
“I think people just go on to Twitter just to be heard in a negative way. They just want to say something nasty and hateful and mean, so they will go on to Twitter for literally no [other] reason and they just say it and make sure they tag you in it, too,” Baker said.
Baker also talked about the impact this has on celebs and how it can have serious real-world consequences, like someone taking their life. You can read the excerpt here.
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.
They were the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions but placed their titles on the desk of John Laurinaitis and left the building. They had been booked for a six-pack challenge.
WWE has suspended Sasha Banks and Naomi indefinitely.
Britt Baker vs. Sasha Banks?
During an interview with Forbes, Britt Baker said she’s aware that Sasha has been trending and would have no problem sharing the ring with her.
“Since it’s a pretty hot topic right now, I’m going to say Sasha Banks.… I think she is one of the top draws in all of WWE. She’s such a superstar, she’s such a good wrestler,” Baker said.
“She’s definitely somebody that I would love to wrestle.”
Sasha Banks may be off WWE TV for the foreseeable future but she will be staying busy.
“The Boss” and Naomi were scheduled to perform in a six-pack challenge on the May 16 episode of Raw. They ended up walking out of the show due to creative differences.
It’s been said that the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions weren’t happy with how the division was being presented.
PWInsider reported that Naomi was expected 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 Sasha and Naomi were expected to lose those singles title matches.
Sasha’s cousin, legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, recently spoke to Logan Paul on his Impaulsive podcast.
During the show, Snoop Dogg’s son Cordell Broadus revealed that Sasha is possibly working on some NFTs.
“That’s our cousin, Mercedes Varnado.” Logan Paul: “She’s so cool. She’s always trending on Twitter.” “I told him that. She’s poppin’” Snoop: It’s n our bloodline. What you think?
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.”
Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg has shown his cousin, Sasha Banks, some love in the midst of her issues with WWE.
Sasha and her tag team partner Naomi have been suspended indefinitely by WWE. The punishment was handed down as a result of the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions walking out of the May 16 episode of Raw mid-show.
Amid all the drama, Snoop Doog is showing “The Boss” some family love.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd4ked9MniZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd4_I7KONU9/
It was reported by PWInsider that creative differences were to blame for the incident. Sasha and Naomi were set to compete in a six-pack challenge to determine the number one contender for Bianca Belair’s WWE Raw Women’s Championship.
Naomi was scheduled to win the match and face Belair at Hell in a Cell on June 5. Sasha Banks was going to challenge Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Both were expected to lose their singles title matches.
The issue seems to be that Sasha and Naomi felt the work they had done as a tag team was being tainted.
It had also been reported by former WWE writer Kazeem Famuyide that contracts for both Sasha and Naomi are coming due in the near future.
Former WWE Superstar Kelly Kelly has said she’d love to get back in the ring if given the chance to wrestle Sasha Banks or Charlotte Flair.
Kelly joined WWE programming in 2006 and left in 2012, but has made sporadic appearances for the company in recent years.
The former Divas and 24/7 Champion has competed in three of the five Women’s Royal Rumble matches.
Sitting down with the Dropkick Podcast, Kelly was asked about this year’s Rumble match and who she’d like to face in her final bout.
“I always wanted to work with Sasha so it was really cool to be able to do that… I would say either Sasha or Charlotte Flair for sure.”
Kelly Kelly on who she’d like to face in her final wrestling match
Unfortunately for Kelly, neither match is possible at this time, as both women are away from WWE.
Flair is taking a hiatus from TV after losing the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash, and plans to marry her partner Andrade El Idolo soon.
Sasha Banks has been indefinitely suspended by WWE after she and Naomi walked out of last week’s Raw, with the pair being stripped of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
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.
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
We now know the fallout of Sasha Banks and Naomi leaving WWE Raw mid-show.
During the May 20 episode of WWE SmackDown, play-by-play ace Michael Cole announced that Sasha and Naomi have been suspended due to their actions. As a result, a tournament will be held to determine the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Sasha and Naomi were set to perform in a six-pack challenge to determine the number one contender for Bianca Belair’s WWE Raw Women’s Championship. PWInsider reported that Naomi was scheduled to win the match.
Plans changed when Sasha and Naomi put the tag titles on the desk of John Laurinaitis and left the show. It was reported that Sasha had creative differences with Vince McMahon, leading to the incident.
During WWE’s announcement of the suspension, Cole said that both Sasha and Naomi let down millions of WWE fans with their actions.
Sasha was reportedly set to challenge Ronda Rousey for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell on June 5. Both Sasha and Naomi were expected to lose their singles title matches.
Sasha Banks and Naomi have been suspended indefinitely. There will be a future tournament to crown the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. pic.twitter.com/8xhJe0l5bV
“Let’s talk about what happened this past Monday night when Sasha Banks and Naomi let us all down. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions walked off the show and walked out of the building during Monday Night Raw.
“They were supposed to take part in this, the main event, the six-pack challenge, where the winner would be next in line to face Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship.
“However, 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.
“So, because of what Sasha and Naomi did this past Monday night, they have been suspended indefinitely, and we will have a future tournament to crown the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.”
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.
A current WWE play-by-play ace insists that Sasha Banks and Naomi legitimately walked out on the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw.
WWE officials couldn’t have expected pivoting as much as they did on such short notice. The plan was set for Sasha and Naomi to participate in a number one contender match for Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship.
This was to be a six-pack challenge.
Instead, WWE found itself without its Women’s Tag Team Champions. PWInsider reported that following a disagreement over Vince McMahon’s creative direction, Sasha Banks made her exit mid-show and Naomi followed.
SEScoops had an exclusive interview with Ariane Andrew, formerly known as Cameron in WWE. She used to team with Naomi and expressed her belief that she was manipulated by Sasha into leaving the building.
WWE Raw play-by-play commentator Jimmy Smith took to his Unlocking The Cage podcast to make it clear that the situation involving Sasha Banks and Naomi is as real as it gets.
“This is not a work. This really actually happened. From everything — I wasn’t there, I was calling the show — I’ve been told, everything the WWE is saying happened.
“Now obviously there are many sides to a story. I don’t know why Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out. I’ve heard rumors, but I’m not gonna repeat them just because it’s innuendo. I don’t know.
“But my point is, a lot of people when this was first released on Instagram, half the comments were, ‘Ah, this is a work.’ It’s not. This legitimately happened.
“One thing that you will see in the WWE, generally, in the time I’ve been there, is when they say this is our main event, something goofy may happen in that event, something goofy may change or there might be slight differences.
“They’re not going to say this is our main event and pull the rug out from under you. They will not advertise a main event and pull it out from under you. They want to know that you as an audience member will generally get the match that you thought you were gonna get.
“You stuck around till 10:45 to watch this match, that’s what you’re gonna see. What’s upsetting to the people behind the scenes on this one is they advertised the main event.
“I got up there on a microphone and Corey Graves to my left said, ‘Tonight, [women’s six-pack challenge],’ and then we sat down and we, meaning the WWE, all of us, couldn’t deliver that main event.
“Not happy about that.”
Naomi was reportedly set to win the six-pack challenge and face Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell on June 5. Sasha was expected to meet Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Title.
Both Sasha and Naomi were expected to lose those championship matches.
Appearing on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio to give his thoughts on the situation, James explained why this may be all for show.
“When I see them publically put it all out there like that, it just makes me feel like it’s a work, you know what I mean? It just makes me feel like, if that really happened, in my mind, they would just change the main event, and probably not even say anything.
“I think it is a publicity stunt to try and add some heat to the tag titles. But again, that’s just me, and I’m a cynical worker who’s been around the business my whole life, so I think everything’s a work.”
“I think it is a publicity stunt to try and add some heat to the tag titles.”
‘Road Dogg’ Jesse James
Road Dogg was with WWE until January 2022 when he was released from his role at the Performance Center.
James was released alongside his brother Scott Armstrong, William Regal, and others.
Many people questioned the reports suggesting that Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of Raw because the latter was supposed to win the six-pack challenge main event at the show. PWinsider has provided some more updates and shed some light on how things unfolded on Monday before the Raw episode.
Per the site, the original plans were for Naomi to beat Sasha Banks to win the main event. This confrontation would have been built with multiple segments throughout the show. The Raw episode then would have gone off air with the duo celebrating Naomi becoming the #1 contender for the Raw women’s championship.
There are some who believe that Banks was also going to get a shot at the SmackDown women’s title. A segment on Friday’s SmackDown would have set a match between her and Ronda Rousey, presumably for Hell In A Cell. Though both the tag team partners were expected to lose their respective title matches. This would effectively mean that the women’s tag team champions would have been used to put over the champions of Raw and SmackDown.
An alternative idea for a women’s championship feud was pitched after some concerns were raised over the original plans. The idea was for the tag team champions to have a short match and then get attacked to set up a championship feud with Doudrop and Nikki A.S.H. However, Sasha Banks and Naomi were informed by WWE producer Molly Holly not long before the show went on air that the officials had decided to go in the direction of the six-pack challenge instead.
When Mr McMahon Found Out About Sasha Banks and Naomi
Shortly after learning about this change, Banks and Naomi walked into the office of John Laurinaitis. They informed him of their decision to leave and left the championship belts behind. Vince McMahon was informed of the events right after Raw went on air.
The Becky Lynch – Adam Pearce segment that took place during the show was then pitched on the spot. One source has credited Lynch for the idea. Mr McMahon ordered for the segment to be shot and placed on the show to explain the change in the main event which had already been announced by that point.
The belief among some is that the creative issues weren’t about the finish of the show but how the duo would have been portrayed over the coming weeks, leading to the upcoming PPV. Nobody knew what would happen to their team after the show. This was especially problematic because Mr McMahon himself had ordered Banks and Naomi to team up for WrestleMania 38 and they worked hard to build their team.
Sasha Banks has since unfollowed Vince McMahon and other WWE accounts on Twitter. Meanwhile, report suggest that the locker room is not sympathetic towards the boss for her actions on Monday. How this story will evolve is anyone’s guess. We will keep you updated on any further development.
Former WWE star Ariane Andrew believes her close friend Naomi was manipulated, which led to her decision to exit while Raw was on the air.
Naomi and Sasha Banks are the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. The two were scheduled to be a part of a six-pack challenge on the May 16 episode of Raw.
The match was to feature Naomi, Sasha, Asuka, Becky Lynch, Nikki A.S.H., and Doudrop. The winner was to get a shot at Bianca Belair’s Raw Women’s Championship.
Ariane Andrew, formerly known as Cameron in WWE, spoke to SEScoops’ Steve Fall in an exclusive interview. During the chat, she expressed her belief that Naomi was influenced by someone to ditch Raw mid-show. She heavily implied that “someone” is Sasha Banks.
“What happened I think — I’m just gonna remove Sasha because Sasha’s done this before. Sasha’s a great athlete, let me not get this twisted cause I don’t want fans coming for me. She’s definitely deserved — like she’s a great wrestler, she’s a great character, she does what she has to do.
“My girl Naomi, she wouldn’t do this and I feel like she wouldn’t do this unless she had someone manipulating and telling her how to do this. Let’s best believe if I was here, coming as a Funkadactyl we wouldn’t have this happening at all.”
Reunion?
(via WWE)
Ariane used to team with Naomi as part of The Funkadactyls. She offered assistance to her good friend if she wants to stay in a tag team.
“This is where we’re at, so it’s unfortunate what happened but I’m gonna say it right here: Naomi, I’ve always been your girl, I’ve always been by your side. Do you need a tag team partner to come help you out?
“Cause I’m here because I got you and we ain’t gonna do this foolishness. We can still make a dream team happen, we can make history happen, and we ain’t gotta do all this stuff. Just play the game, girl. I’ll play it with you.”
Sasha Banks A Manipulator?
Sasha Banks
When pushed on whether or not she believes Sasha is indeed the manipulator, Ariane had the following to say:
“Again, Sasha is Sasha. You have Snoop Dogg as your cousin. You’re a top athlete, you can do whatever the f*ck you wanna do. You can literally say what you wanna say, do what you wanna do with no repercussion.
“And if you’re a star athlete, I feel like she can back it up. The one thing that she can do is she can back it up. It’s not like, ‘oh she can have all these people who can back her up without having the talent to do so or the beauty.’
“She’s a f*cking top f*cking b*tch, she can f*cking back it up in the ring but if you have the top agent, you have a top celebrity backing you up, a thousand percent you’re gonna have the extra boost.
“But someone like Naomi, where’s your extra boost?”
Reports have claimed that Sasha had been unhappy with Vince McMahon over creative plans. In a statement issued by WWE, the company said the two left their tag team titles on the desk of John Laurinaitis’ desk and said they felt they weren’t appreciated.
PWInsider reported that Naomi was supposed to win the six-pack challenge and challenge Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell. It’s also been reported that Sasha was set to challenge Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Title.
Both Naomi and Sasha were expected to lose those matches.
Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline noted on Wrestling Observer Live that sources told him there is zero sympathy for Sasha Banks backstage at WWE. As far as Naomi goes, it appears no one backstage has badmouthed her over the situation.
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Both Bryan Alvarez and Wade Keller have reported there is not much sympathy for Sasha Banks after she alongside Naomi walked out of last night’s WWE Raw.
On today’s Wrestling Observer Live, Alvarez stated that you would think wrestlers in WWE would get upset with bad creative and side with Banks and Naomi if they were handed that and took a stand. However, that’s not the case.
There have been some wrestlers such as AEW’s Dax Harwood and CM Punk in addition to Shayna Baszler, who have publicly supported the two stars following them walking out of the show. However, those in WWE don’t feel the same way about Banks and haven’t said anything about Naomi.
He stated that he hasn’t heard from anybody in WWE who has been sticking up for them. Instead, he’s heard people call Banksnames including a mark for her actions.
“I have heard zero support for Sasha Banks in this situation. So, quite frankly if you want you can get mad at me if you want…I’ve been a lot nicer on this show than anything I’ve heard from people in WWE over the last 24 hours. Hey, if you want to come after me then go for it…Zero support, I’m talking zero. It’s funny [because] I haven’t heard anyone say anything about Naomi and she walked out too. It’s all about Sasha. I’ve heard it all – Mark, Diva, the list goes on and on. There is zero support for Sasha Banks walking out of WWE over all of this. People are furious. They think it’s ridiculous. They think that she’s whatever. So, that’s the story. Where this goes, I don’t know but literally, every single bit of support that I’ve seen for Sasha Banks coming out of this has either been from people in another company that weren’t there last night and that’s it…or fans. Her actual co-workers have zero sympathy for what happened here. I think that should probably tell you something.”
As previously reported, WWE originally had plans for Naomi to challenge Raw Women’s champion Bianca Belair and Banks to challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at Hell in a Cell.
The hot topic of the day remains Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out during Monday’s WWE Raw broadcast due to unhappiness with the creative direction of their characters.
As details emerge about what transpired behind the scenes at Raw, fans and wrestlers alike are sounding off about who they feel is right and wrong.
On Tuesday afternoon, former Matt Cardona (former WWE Superstar Zack Ryder) posted a tweet mocking Sasha Banks and Naomi’s decision to forfeit their tag titles at Raw.
Cardona referenced his infamous 2012 WWE storyline that saw Kane push him (and his wheelchair) off the Raw stage. He wrote, “If I could go back in time…the night I was pushed off the stage in a wheelchair on Raw, I should have walked into Johnny Ace’s office…placed my neck brace on the table and walked out because I wasn’t being respected enough as Internet champion.
Talent Supports Sasha Banks
AEW stars CM Punk and Dax Harwood of FTR expressed their support for Sasha Banks and Naomi.
CM Punk replied to Matt Cardona and told him, “If you’d go back in time to stand up for yourself, you should stand up [for] the workers now.”
If you’d go back in time to stand up for yourself, you should stand up the workers now. https://t.co/Hh0zA7nsid
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks has called being told she was “just a good hand” a defining moment in her career.
Banks joined WWE in 2012 and was assigned to NXT, becoming one of the brand’s most popular female Superstars before her 2015 call-up to the main roster.
Appearing on Cold As Balls With Kevin Hart, Banks recalled her first months in NXT and the writer who said WWE didn’t see her as a headline act.
“I wasn’t really getting used. A writer came up to me and told me that I was just a good hand. ‘A good hand.'”
Sasha Banks
When asked, Banks said she would not disclose the writer’s identity but said she used it as motivation to be the best.
“The Boss” listed several of her accolades, including her multiple championship reigns and Hart jokingly referred to her as “Cocky Cathy.”
Hart added that Banks’ accomplishments are impressive and asked if she believes she gets the respect she deserves.
“I feel like I definitely get the respect I deserve in WWE. To be a woman and to main event, wake up, that wouldn’t be possible [before].”
Sasha Banks
Banks is in her third reign as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion but handed the titles to John Laurinaitis before walking out of Raw this week.
