Following the surprising news that Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of the May 16 episode of WWE RAW due to creative differences, WWE has responded to the incident.
WWE shared a statement on its official website and acknowledged that Banks and Naomi did leave the show. but also revealed that the pair left their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the desk of John Laurinaitis. According to the company, the pair was uncomfortable participating in was set to appear in a planned six-pack challenge with Naomi, Asuka, Doudrop, and Nikki A.S.H.
WWE disputed the narrative that Banks and Naomi were uncomfortable, however, stating that the pair had “eight hours to rehearse and construct their match,” but ended the statement by apologizing to the WWE Universe for the lack of the advertised match.
You can check out WWE’s response in full below:
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 rehears and construct the 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.
Official WWE statement on Sasha Banks & Naomi https://t.co/TbehKPdAfD
— WWE (@WWE) May 17, 2022
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