Massive Update On Sasha Banks’ WWE Future

Ever since Mercedes Varnado, AKA Sasha Banks, walked out on WWE in May, her future with the company has been unclear. There’s now some clarity.

Sasha Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since May, and her future with the company is very much in doubt at this point. Seven months ago, she left an episode of Raw over creative differences concerning the women’s tag-team titles. Vince McMahon has retired since then, and Triple H treats the women’s division with much more respect than his predecessor. This unforeseen and shocking development left some fans wondering if Banks could be lured back to WWE now that there’s a fresh face in the booker’s chair. A recent report finally gives some clarity on that possibility.

Fightful gave the following update on Sasha Banks and WWE on December 15: “It was confirmed to Fightful that Mercedes’ WWE exit was negotiated ‘months ago,’ likely when Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc. reported as much. However, WWE has yet to officially confirm this, and she remains listed on the company’s official website. It was also reiterated to us that Sasha Banks was able to take wrestling related bookings on January 1…” This post is the first confirmation of Giri’s report, which was initially shared via Twitter on June 15. Considering that fans and pundits have been speculating about Banks returning to WWE for months, it’s interesting to hear that the company finalized the release several months back.

Related: Bobby Lashley Firing & Matt Riddle Injury Creates NXT Opportunity On Raw

The Pro Wrestling World Is Mercedes Varnado’s Oyster

If Varnado’s time in WWE is done—and both Fightful and WrestlingInc.com have reported that it is—then the wrestling world outside that promotion is hers to conquer. It could be argued that she’s the most significant free agent to hit the market since AEW was founded three years ago. Chris Jericho is a big household name, but it’s not like he passed on headlining WrestleMania when he departed from WWE. Likewise for Jon Moxley, who has been a workhorse for AEW but likely would still be floating around in WWE’s upper mid-card in 2022. That wouldn’t be the case for Sasha Banks, especially not under the watch of Triple H.

While out on her own, Varnado can pick the dates, companies, and matches that make the most sense for her. She may go on a Cody Rhodes-type road of self-discovery, leading her back to WWE sometime in the next several years. However, that isn’t a guarantee at this juncture, which is jarring to consider. Reports this past spring indicated that she’d been unhappy in WWE for a while, so it’s good to hear that she’s following her heart and doing what’s best for her mental health.

Sasha Banks is presumably content heading to NJPW for the time being, and it’ll be remarkably interspersing to see what kind of impact she can make for that company. AEW is still hanging around as a possibility, but reports indicate that there has yet to be much contact between her and WWE’s top viable alternative product. That can change quickly, as Varnado can start making wrestling-related appearances as of January 1. Tony Khan virtually has a blank checkbook to work with. All that is known now is that Varnado is through with WWE, and she’s gearing up to appear overseas for NJPW.

Next: WWE Raw: New-Look Asuka & Alexa Bliss Keep Women’s Roster Fresh

Source: Fightful