On an already turbulent day for WWE news, it seems only fitting that the Sasha Banks situation may have reached its conclusion.
Raj Giri, founder of WrestlingInc., tweeted tonight that “I’m hearing Sasha Banks has been released,” adding that it wasn’t clear if it was by her request.
I'm hearing Sasha Banks has been released. I don't know if it's he requested it or if it was on WWE's end
— Raj Giri (@TheRajGiri) June 16, 2022
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, one of the best connected wrestling journalists in the industry, followed up with his take shortly thereafter.
I spoke with Raj this afternoon and asked WWE about this. As of this evening, they said they hadn't heard that, and talent relations didn't seem to know.
Not saying that it didn't or isn't happening, but this is what I've heard so far when I asked. Raj has good sources https://t.co/cnBADkuFyg
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 16, 2022
Banks and Naomi made waves throughout the pro wrestling industry by walking out on the May 15 episode of Raw, refusing to participate in the scheduled main event and leaving their tag team titles behind. WWE subsequently released a statement giving its side of the story, and had commentators mention the situation several times on the air, expressing “disappointment” with the wrestlers’ actions.
A suspension was later announced for both Banks and Naomi, who have essentially been persona not grata within WWE for about a month. There was some thought that Banks, in particular, was a big enough star to warrant reconciliation, but it appears that may not be the case.
The natural question is where and when Banks may show up next. WWE talents typically have 90-day non-compete clauses in the event of their release; if that’s the case for Banks, it would prevent her from showing up on, say, AEW Dynamite until early fall. Other reports have suggested she may be close to the end of her contract, which could mean she is free to sign elsewhere sooner.
But Banks has also seen her career in TV and movies blossom over the past few years, appearing in projects like the Star Wars series “The Mandalorian” on Disney+. She’s a marketable personality who doesn’t necessarily have to jump right back into pro wrestling.
The only thing I wanna say right now in regards to Sasha Banks, is that no matter what she does, she will remain a star. If her time in WWE did come to an end, it sucks but there are so many opportunities for her in or out of wrestling, whatever she decides.
— Denise 'Hollywood It Girl' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) June 16, 2022
Until officially confirmed by WWE, Banks’ status remains in flux, but if she really is gone from the company, it’s a stunning end to this phase of her career, one that not many would have seen coming even a few months ago.
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