Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of Monday Night Raw on Monday, May 16, 2022, and according to a statement released by WWE, Sasha and Naomi placed the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship on John Laurinaitis’ desk before leaving.
Sasha Banks and Naomi were scheduled to be involved in a six-pack challenge which would have crowned a new number one contender for the WWE Raw Women's Championship.
Immediately after WWE announced the match on air, they switched the match to a singles match between Becky Lynch and Asuka, announcing that Naomi and Sasha Banks had left the building.
Our premium Fightful select Service reported more details regarding the incident that led to their departure, namely Sasha Banks’ displeasure with the creative direction of the match.
Tonight's Raw main event changed after Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of the show, we're told.
Those that we've heard from at tonight's WWE Raw, WWE Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks wasn't satisfied with creative associated with her plans for the evening. As Fightful Select reported, Sasha was to be involved in a six pack challenge with Naomi, Asuka, Doudrop and Nikki ASH. During the Raw broadcast, it was announced, then changed to Asuka vs. Becky Lynch and said that "Sasha Banks and Naomi left the building."
We're told that Sasha Banks had a meeting with Vince McMahon and voiced her displeasure about a situation, and wouldn't budge on her stance. Vince McMahon was also said to be unwilling to budge.
We haven't specifically heard that Naomi was involved, but that she and Sasha Banks left before the start of the show.
It's worth noting that as of the time that the WWE Raw rundowns went out, there was no assigned producer or referee for the main event match. It was also highlighted in red, indicating a change could be happening.
We're told that there were hastily produced segments to set up the change, but they were also reflected in the rundowns that were handed out before the show.
By the time it was announced on WWE TV, word had made way outside the company. Several people backstage at the show confirmed to Fightful that the duo left.
In an update, we've learned that Naomi was actually scheduled to win the match.
WWE later issued a statement. In the statement, WWE claimed that Naomi and Sasha Banks we're uncomfortable working with two of the scheduled women for the match, despite having previously worked with them. The match was also scheduled to include Nikki ASH and Doudrop.
From WWE:
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 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.
We regret we were unable to deliver, as advertised, tonight’s main event.
We will continue to have more on this story as it develops.
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