WWE had plans for Sasha Banks and Naomi to take on two fellow stars of the company in singles matches prior to the latest edition of Raw, according to reports.
The reigning Women’s Tag Team Champions made major headlines when they walked out of Raw shortly after the televised broadcast began.
WWE advertised a Six-Pack Challenge for the event. The winner would face Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair in a title match. As well as Banks and Naomi, Asuka, Becky Lynch, Doudrop and Nikki A.S.H. were all scheduled to take part.
However, as a result of the walkout, the main event was changed. Asuka pinned Lynch in a highly entertaining match. She will now take on Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell.
Why did Sasha Banks and Naomi walk out of WWE Raw?
WWE immediately released an official statement following the exit of Sasha Banks and Naomi from Raw. Such an occurrence is relatively unusual. Fans pointed out on Twitter that WWE usually do not acknowledge significant events, such as the releases of Superstars, in official statements.
The statement read: “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 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 consequences.”
However, PWInsider have reported the main reasons behind Banks and Naomi’s decision to walk out. It is said that they took issue with creative plans for them both during and after the main event of Raw.
WWE had plans for Sasha Banks and Naomi as singles competitors
As previously reported, Naomi was due to win the Six-Pack Challenge. That would have earned her a title opportunity against Belair.
PWInsider report (as per WrestlingNews) that Naomi would have lost her title match against Belair.
The same source claims that there was a ‘belief’ that Banks would then move on to a singles angle against SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. In addition, Banks would then have lost to Rousey at Hell in a Cell.
The report then adds that both women took issue with how they would be portrayed over the coming weeks of action and concerns that the tag titles would be devalued.
Twitter user @Adidas_head88, who is followed by Naomi’s official account, then claimed: “You [Banks and Naomi] are told basically that you will just be carrying the belts. They want to use you to help both women’s champions get over. Bianca vs Naomi. Sasha vs Ronda.
“Neither one of you will win the solo titles, and you won’t defend your tag titles until MITB [Money in the Bank premium live event].”
It is unclear as to what WWE will do going forward with their three women’s titles. Belair is confirmed to defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Asuka. However, the path forward for Rousey is less certain.
She defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship last Friday. Rousey defeated challenger Raquel Rodriguez.
Banks and Naomi have held the tag team belts since WrestleMania 38, when they won a Fatal-4-Way match. The pair have since successfully defended their titles against Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, and Natalya and Shayna Baszler.
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