Report: Sasha Banks Not Expected To Return To WWE

WWE

A new update has emerged on former WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, following recent reports about her wrestling future.

Banks has not appeared for WWE since walking out on the promotion during the May 16 Raw taping.

Following months of speculation about the star’s future, it was recently reported that Sasha Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, is expected to be at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.

Dave Meltzer has now confirmed that this appearance will not be through WWE, and that Varnado is expected to be a free agent by the time the January 4, 2023 event rolls around.

Discussing the situation between Varnado and WWE on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer indicated that it is highly unlikely that we’ll see Varnado in a WWE ring anytime soon.

Meltzer said:

“They were talking to both of them (Mercedes Varnado and Naomi), they were talking to (Varnado) about a return, and they were very far apart on money. That was the last that I had heard. 

“She wanted a lot. What she was asking for was a very high number for a WWE women’s wrestler.

“If you look at the amount of money WWE takes in, she would’ve still been ‘underpaid’ , but by their salary structure, it was a high number. 

“Her contract was to expire at the end of the year, however as we’ve seen with so many people in that company, she hasn’t worked, so (WWE) could freeze the deal. 

“They’ve frozen deals for people who have walked out, they’ve frozen deals for people who have been hurt.

“The fact that she has made this (NJPW) deal at least verbally, because they have dates booked for her, barring a last minute change and her backing out on what has been agreed to, she’s not going back to WWE.”

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Meltzer went on to note that WWE may choose to freeze her deal, but also speculated that the company might’ve moved on from Varnado, considering the high price for a return.

Commenting on Varnado’s ‘verbal agreement’ with NJPW, Meltzer noted:

“I do know that she’s going to the show (Wrestle Kingdom 17), she will be appearing on the show, she will not wrestle on the show.

“She has dates with New Japan Pro Wrestling in her deal, I do not believe it is signed. 

“She still could sign with WWE and this could all fall apart, but she has pretty much agreed to their terms, so as far as they are concerned, they have a deal. 

“She will be there, it’s part of a deal to work with New Japan. I do not know how AEW fits in.

“Obviously everyone is going to jump to the speculation that she is the mystery partner of Saraya against Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker on the (January 11) show.

“New Japan Pro Wrestling cannot afford to pay the numbers that WWE was willing to pay her, I can say that. AEW could afford that.”

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It is currently unclear what exactly Varnado will do during her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17.

It has been speculated that she will confront KAIRI, who will be defending the IWGP Women’s Championship on the show.

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