The ongoing battle between Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment and Sasha Banks continues. According to reports, Banks has been released from WWE effective immediately. She had been suspended by WWE since May 20 following a walkout with fellow wrestler Naomi on the May 16 episode of WWE Raw. Naomi and Banks reportedly walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis’ office with their suitcases in hand and placed their tag team championship belts on his desk.
The reports of her release come from Wrestle Inc’s Raj Girl, although Girl reported that it is unclear whether her release was granted at her request or if it was initiated by WWE. Following their walkout, WWE had put out a string of press statements condemning their actions, calling them “unprofessional” and claiming that they disappointed millions of fans. The two were also stripped of their Tag Team Championship titles. Many pundits within wrestling media are claiming that Banks’ release was ordered by the WWE brass.
This news comes just hours after the Wall Street Journal released a report on an investigation regarding WWE head Vince McMahon and alleged settlements related to sexual misconduct. The report also implicated Laurinaitis in the settlements.
Banks had been with WWE since 2012. She has collected a number of title belts whole at the company including the SmackDown Women’s Championships, Raw Women’s Championships, NXT Women’s Championship and Women’s Tag Team Championship. She also has headlined Wrestlemania as well as multiple pay-per-view events.
Banks had previously starred as Koska Reeves in Disney’s The Mandalorian and has recently appeared on Kevin Hart’s Show Cold As Balls.
As for Naomi, there has been no indication on whether or not she will be released.
