Sasha Banks Has A Long History Of Problems With WWE
Highlights
- Sasha Banks' history with WWE is filled with tension and discontent, dating back to her time in NXT.
- She often felt undervalued and not positioned as the premier female talent within WWE.
- Sasha Banks and Naomi's departure from WWE in 2022 was marked by a walkout, citing a lack of respect as tag team champions.
One name in pro wrestling stands out amidst controversy is Sasha Banks. Banks's journey within WWE has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. From historical championships to a shocking departure, her story unfolds with layers of discontent, unspoken incidents, and a quest for authenticity. With rumors abound, it's time to delve into Sasha Banks' history with WWE, uncovering the triumphs, the turbulence, and the lingering question – will she return to the stage that both shaped and strained her career? That can be answered only after looking at the history of turbulence between WWE and the historic women's champion.
Championship | Number of Reigns |
|---|---|
Women's Champion | 6 times |
Women's Tag Team Champion | 3 times |
NXT Women's Champion | 1 time |
Sasha Banks’ Early Troubles With WWE
As Revealed By Charlotte Flair!
Sasha Banks' departure from WWE in 2022 sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling community. After bidding adieu to her iconic persona within WWE, she emerged on the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) stage under the alias Mercedes Mone, signaling a new chapter in her wrestling career.
Sasha's history with WWE, however, revealed a long-standing tension that transcended her recent departure. The roots of her strained relationship with the company traced back to her time in NXT, as detailed by fellow horsewoman Charlotte Flair in her book, Second Nature (via SportsKeeda). Flair recounted how Sasha's early discontent emerged when Charlotte was thrust into the NXT Women's title scene ahead of her. She recalls Sasha going rogue during promos and not being happy with her not getting that spot and push that Charlotte received.
Sasha Banks Was Often Not Happy With Her WWE Booking
Dissatisfaction On The Main Roster
Sasha Banks' transition to the main roster marked a phase of unprecedented success intertwined with lingering dissatisfaction. Despite her trailblazing accomplishments, she often hinted at feeling undervalued and not being positioned as the premier female talent within WWE. In a candid interview with The Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast in 2017, Banks reflected on her time in NXT with a sense of nostalgia and contentment, contrasting it sharply with her experiences on RAW. She said:
“I think that’s what’s different about NXT too. We kind of always knew where we were going, so it helped me prepare and think of ahead of time, like, ‘how can I make this better?’. But when I go to RAW, it’s legit, like, ‘I have no clue what I’m doing.’ I don’t even know what to prepare for. I’m just, like, handed something or told something. And I was like, ‘okay, I have one hour to get ready. Oh, okay. Alright. Let’s just do it! I’ll be honest about something. I’m a three-time RAW Women’s Champion, right, which is awesome? Within a whole year, I’m a three-time Women’s Champion, which, to me, is a lot. I am a three-time two-week holder of a championship, so that took away my confidence so much... It’s stuff like that really brought down my confidence levels, like maybe there’s something wrong with me, and they don’t see me as a champion or legit they wanted to have all these title changes, and they wanted people to talk about it.”
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Sasha Banks’ WWE Hiatus In 2019, Explained
The Boss had to set the record straight after rumors suggested other reasons for her absence.The pivotal moment in this phase came during WrestleMania 35, a marquee event in the WWE calendar. Sasha Banks and Bayley, as the Women's Tag Team Champions, were scheduled to drop their titles to The IIconics. While initial reports suggested a backstage tantrum following this loss, Bayley and Sasha Banks trashed those reports by saying that they were simply witnessing the historic main event featuring their friends, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. This incident, though debunked, added to the narrative of backstage unrest, reinforcing the notion that Banks' dissatisfaction with her position in WWE was not just a storyline. The culmination of these frustrations reached a tipping point, prompting Sasha Banks to take a hiatus from WWE. In a revealing conversation on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions podcast, Banks disclosed that she had requested her release from the company. However, Vince McMahon declined her request, leading to a mutually agreed-upon hiatus. This break allowed Banks the time and space to recalibrate.
Sasha Banks Leaves WWE
Walked Out With Naomi On Raw
The climax of Sasha Banks' troubled relationship with WWE unfolded in May 2022. Paired with Naomi, the tag team champions decided to take matters into their own hands. Advertised for RAW's main event, Sasha and Naomi unexpectedly abandoned their titles, refusing to compete. WWE swiftly condemned their actions, leading to the stripping of their titles, suspensions, and ultimately, their departure from the company. WWE's statement read:
“When Sasha Banks and Naomi arrived at the arena this afternoon, they were informed of their participation in the main event of tonight's Monday Night Raw. During the broadcast, they walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis office with their suitcases in hand, placed their tag team championship belts on his desk and walked out. They claimed they weren't respected enough as tag team champions. And even though they had eight hours to rehearse and construct their match, they claimed they were uncomfortable in the ring with two of their opponents even though they'd had matches with those individuals in the past with no consequence. Monday Night Raw is a scripted live TV show, whose characters are expected to perform the requirements of their contract. We regret we were unable to deliver, as advertised, tonight's main event.”
10 Things Wrestlers Had To Say About Sasha Banks & Naomi Walking Out
Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of Raw and have been suspended indefinitely. A number of wrestlers have shared their thoughts on the situation.While there were several rumors and reports about who Sasha and Naomi didn't want to work with, it was never officially confirmed. Sasha's decision to remain silent about the incident has only added to the intrigue, leaving fans to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the walkout. Despite the controversies, Sasha Banks remains one of WWE's significant creations, and her unexpected appearances in other promotions, including an AEW show, have only fueled the anticipation of her return.
