WWE announced on SmackDown that Sasha Banks and Naomi have been suspended indefinitely and stripped of the Women’s Tag Team Championships after walking out on Raw.
Earlier in the week, news broke that WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out during Monday Night Raw, resulting in changes to the main event. After speculation throughout the week regarding what is next for Banks and Naomi, there was an answer provided on Friday Night SmackDown on May 20.
Lead commentator Michael Cole spoke on the incident, saying Banks and Naomi “let us all down” and that their actions “disappointed millions of WWE fans.” That was when Cole announced that both were suspended indefinitely and that they were being stripped of the Women’s Tag Team Championships. A tournament will be held to crown new titleholders.
You can listen to Cole’s announcement in the tweet below:
WWE announces Sasha Banks, Naomi suspended indefinitely for walking out during Raw
After SmackDown went off the air, all merchandise of Banks and Naomi was removed from WWEShop.com.
As for what caused the duo to walk out, the original main event for the show was a six pack challenge between Banks, Naomi, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Doudrop and Nikki A.S.H. with the winner facing Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at the Hell in a Cell premium live event on June 5. Fightful Select (subscription required) reported that Naomi was actually supposed to win the match and face Belair for the title.
The main event was changed to Lynch vs. Asuka for the No. 1 contendership to the Raw Women’s Championship. Asuka won and will face Belair at Hell in a Cell.
WWE released a statement, saying that Banks and Naomi walked into Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis with their bags and placed the tag titles on his desk. Additionally, the company claimed that the duo was uncomfortable facing two competitors scheduled for the main event.
Fightful Select reported that the company’s claim about the duo being uncomfortable working with two superstars was false. A separate report by the outlet said that the issue was in regards to the creative direction of the tag team championships.
Banks and Naomi have yet to comment publicly on the situation.
The duo won the championships at WrestleMania 38, defeating Queen Zelina and Carmella, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, and Natalya and Shayna Baszler in a fatal four way match.
We will continue to keep you updated on this story.
Be sure to stay tuned to FanSided for all your WWE, AEW and Pro Wrestling coverage from unique analysis to fun angles, to viral content and much more.