There’s tension between the WWE and two of their biggest stars. Sasha Banks and Naomi were indefinitely suspended by the WWE while their merchandise and official social media sites have been pulled. This comes after a long-standing feud between the two women’s tag team champions and WWE leadership.
This all began during a live taping of Monday Night Raw when the pair was noticeably absent from their event. Color commentator Corey Graves had announced that the pair had “unprofessionally left the arena.” In a statement afterward, the WWE detailed the reason for their absence, “They claimed they weren’t respected enough as tag team champions,” the statement read. “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.”
According to the WWE, Sasha and Naomi “walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis‘s office with their suitcases in hand, placed their tag team championship belts on his desk, and walked out.”
The severity of the punishment is surprising with many publications as well as former wrestling legends coming out and supporting the two rappers. Wrestler CM Punk shared a post seemingly in support of the two, writing, “Doesn’t matter if your opinion of your coworker is positive or negative. Stand with them,” he said. “Because they’ll do the same thing to you and you’ll wish someone helped. Trust me. You’re expendable. Together you’re unstoppable.”
Rapper Snoop Dogg has also shown his solidarity with his cousin Banks, posting a picture of the two with the caption “Bloodline.”
Since then the WWE has also revoked the pairs tag team championship and plans to name a new championship in the near future. Neither Naomi nor Sasha have said anything regarding the incident.
