On May 20’s edition of WWE Smackdown, it took until the second hour before the tag title unification main event for Michael Cole to announce that Sasha Banks and Naomi are suspended indefinitely.
But he said more than that.
Echoing Corey Graves sentiments, Cole said that banks and Naomi let them all down by leaving the tag titles and leaving during the show. He also said they let down millions of fans by doing so and not competing in the main event.
WWE Suspends Sasha Banks and Naomi Indefinitely After ‘Monday Night Raw’ Walkout
This sounded almost exactly what the WWE said when Steve Austin refused to show over a creative difference of opinion, except this time they didn’t do a big produced segment where everyone slammed them.
That could be coming up on the next Raw to mark the one week anniversary.
Cole also announced the WWE will hold a new tournament to name the new Women’s Tag Team Champions.
This is interesting considering they only have two to three tag teams and Banks and Naomi wanted to elevate the tag division, hence why they reportedly didn’t want to be fodder for Ronda Rousey and Bianca Belair.
For the moment, unless it was a glitch, it looks like the WWE has removed their merchandize from the WWE Shop.
Creative differences
Talent having creative differences with promotors is as old as entertainment itself, and while there’s been an improvement in supporting those that are protecting their characters, there have been cases where that hasn’t been the case.
A few months back, Charlotte Flair took tons of flak for her title exchange with Lynch as she defended her character and refused to let herself look weaker, and since they were both champions it made sense.
In fact, her dropping the title was perfect for her character, but she was attacked over protecting her character.
Now, there’s every reason to believe that’s what Banks and Naomi were doing, and fans are torn between Banks and Naomi’s fans and hardcore WWE fans.
Contracts are close to ending
There have been reports that Naomi and Banks’ contracts are near their end with the WWE, and Naomi was in negotiations to extend her deal.
According to reports, Banks’ contract will be up in a couple of months, so there’s every reason to expect the WWE to let them run out.
There is a chance that since Banks is reportedly taking heat for spearheading the walk out, that she’ll be let go while Naomi will be resigned.
The WWE may also try to resign them instead of risking them going to AEW, but anything is possible.
Do you think the WWE will find a way to keep them and mend fences? Let us know in the comments below.
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