Tag: Sasha Banks

Wrestling Observer Live: Ricky Starks vs. MJF, the ring, Dynamite report, Sasha Banks, tons more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the awesome MJF vs. Ricky Starks promo last night and Bryan’s idea about what they should have done with the ring, the full Dynamite report, a bad week for wrestling ratings, Sasha to the Tokyo Dome, Mike vanishes, and so much more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Report: NJPW bringing Sasha Banks to Wrestle Kingdom 17

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sasha Banks (Mercedes Varnado) is reportedly going to be at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023. 

According to a report from PWInsider, it is not clear if Banks will be wrestling or even appearing before the live crowd on the show but NJPW is bringing her to the event. 

Back in October, Banks teased a potential match with IWGP Women’s Champion Kairi. She posted a match graphic to her Instagram stories that Kairi later shared on Twitter. 

One month after sharing the above match graphic, Kairi became the first-ever IWGP Women’s Champion at Historic X-Over on November 20. She defeated Mayu Iwatani in the finals of a tournament to win the title. 

Banks hasn’t wrestled since a WWE house show on May 15, 2022. Along with Naomi, she would walk out on WWE Raw the following night after a disagreement with management about the treatment of the women’s tag team division. 

Paul “Triple H” Levesque was asked about Banks’ WWE status during an interview with Ariel Helwani in September. 

“Time will tell,” Levesque responded. “I think in a lot of ways communication breakdowns are terrible. There was a communication breakdown there, for whatever reason. Starting back up that communication is not a difficult process but it can be a process and you have to go through the process. But she’s an unbelievably talented woman who can do just about anything she wants, it just comes down to what does she want to do now.”

“She’s an unbelievable performer that I believe in with everything I have,” he continued.

MJF ‘Reign of Terror’ among new AEW, WWE trademark filings

Posted on by Josh Nason

In today’s pro wrestling scene, trademark filings are often as newsworthy as what happens in the ring as they can provide insight into what might be coming down the pike in the future.

Several WWE and AEW-related trademark filings in the last few days fit that bill including ones by MJF and Sasha Banks.

After uttering the phrase “reign of terror” during a segment on last Wednesday’s Dynamite, a representative for AEW World Champion MJF filed to trademark the term the following day for merchandise like hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts and bandanas.

On December 3rd, AEW filed a trademark for the commonly used hockey term “hat trick” as “intended to cover the categories of entertainment services in the nature of live wrestling performances, entertainment services in the nature of production of television shows and multimedia entertainment content featuring wrestling programs and events; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a group or individual wrestlers; Entertainment services, namely, production and distribution of ongoing television programs in the field of wrestling.”

On the WWE side of things, the company filed for “WWE Ring Leaders” on December 1st as relates to their Next-in-Line (NIL) program for college athlete recruitment.

Finally, while she hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since May, Sasha Banks filed to trademark her real name (Mercedes Varnado) on December 1st as relates to “live audio performances by an actor or musician and “wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”

Sasha Banks reveals she wrapped filming her first movie

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sasha Banks just finished filming her first movie role. 

Banks posted to social media early Sunday morning that she had “Just wrapped my first movie in #Bosston”. 

Banks had been spotted multiple times in her hometown over the last month, including during the Celtics-Heat game on November 30 from Boston’s TD Garden. 

On November 4, Banks teased on Instagram stories that she had been waiting six months for something “crazy” that was coming soon. 

Banks said:

As time passes, there’s been so much growth, and there’s been so much beautiful opportunity, and a journey that I’ve been loving. But as the time also goes on, the date is coming that I’ve been waiting for, for the past six months, and I can’t wait. But I’m really gonna make most of this November to make all my dreams happen in preparation for this date that I’ve been waiting for. I’m very excited, and I hope you guys come along for this journey, which I know a lot of you have been with me for so long, so thank you. But I just want to let you know there’s going to be something so f*cking crazy coming.

Trademark notes: New WWE filings, Sasha Banks

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Fightful reports that “Iron Survivor Challenge” is planned to be a “new match type that is slated for the NXT brand.” On tonight’s NXT, Shawn Michaels is making an announcement regarding December’s NXT Deadline special.

**********

– WWE has filed a trademark for what appears to be a new series.

On November 10, WWE applied to trademark “Iron Survivor Challenge.” The full trademark filing can be seen below:

Word Mark IRON SURVIVOR CHALLENGE

Goods and Services IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, a show about professional wrestling; entertainment services, namely, the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information

– WWE also applied to trademark “Oba Femi” on November 10. That looks to be a new wrestler name, potentially one from NXT/the WWE Performance Center.

– A company named Soulnado Inc. filed for the following trademarks on November 10:

  • Mercedes Mone’
  • Mone’ Talks
  • Bank Mone’
  • Statement Maker

The filings state that they’re for:

Goods and Services IC 014. US 002 027 028 050. G & S: Jewelry; Jewelry and imitation jewelry; Pins being jewelry

IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Decals; Stickers; Posters made of paper; Stickers; Collectable printed trading cards; Collectible printed trading cards; Pictures in the nature of printed photographs; Printed post cards; Printed postcards; Printed posters

IC 021. US 002 013 023 029 030 033 040 050. G & S: Coffee mugs; Drinking glasses; Water bottles sold empty

IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Hats; Leggings; Pants; Shirts; Socks; Bandanas; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts

IC 028. US 022 023 038 050. G & S: Action figure toys; Action figures; Action figures and accessories therefor; Toy action figures

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services in the nature of live audio performances by an actor or musician; Entertainment services in the nature of live visual and audio performances by an actor; Entertainment services in the nature of live visual and audio performances by an actor or musician; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler, actor, and musician; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler, actor, and musician; Entertainment services, namely, providing music tours in the nature of live musical performances; Entertainment services, namely, providing non-downloadable prerecorded music via a website; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler, actor, and musician; Entertainment, namely, live music concerts; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Providing on-line music, not downloadable; Providing on-line videos featuring a professional wrestler, actor, and musician, not downloadable; Providing online music, not downloadable

Michael Dockins, a patent lawyer who works with pro wrestlers to file trademarks, was the attorney of record on all four of those filings. It’s speculated that the filings have something to do with Sasha Banks (Mercedes Varnado).

Banks teased last month that she has something “crazy” in the works. Banks said it’s something that she’s been waiting for, but she didn’t say if what she was talking about was related to wrestling or not.

It was announced today that Banks (billed under her real name) will be appearing at Comic Con Revolution in Ontario, California in May 2023. 

Sasha Banks teases there’s something ‘crazy’ coming

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In a video posted to her Instagram stories on Friday, Sasha Banks (Mercedes Varnado) teased that something “crazy” is in the works.

Banks took to Instagram to let her fans know that a date she has been waiting for is coming soon. Banks, who said she’s been waiting for this for the past six months, didn’t give specific details about what she was talking about or say if it has anything to do with wrestling.

Banks said:

As time passes, there’s been so much growth, and there’s been so much beautiful opportunity, and a journey that I’ve been loving. But as the time also goes on, the date is coming that I’ve been waiting for, for the past six months, and I can’t wait. But I’m really gonna make most of this November to make all my dreams happen in preparation for this date that I’ve been waiting for. I’m very excited, and I hope you guys come along for this journey, which I know a lot of you have been with me for so long, so thank you. But I just want to let you know there’s going to be something so f*cking crazy coming.

Banks hasn’t appeared for WWE since she and Naomi (Trinity Fatu) walked out of Raw this May. In an interview with Ariel Helwani that was released in September, Paul “Triple H” Levesque was asked about Banks potentially returning to WWE.

“Time will tell. I think in a lot of ways communication breakdowns are terrible. There was a communication breakdown there, for whatever reason. Starting back up that communication is not a difficult process but it can be a process and you have to go through the process,” Levesque said. “But she’s an unbelievably talented woman who can do just about anything she wants, it just comes down to what does she want to do now.” 

Banks and Naomi were scheduled for an appearance at the pop culture event Vulture Festival 2022 on Saturday, November 12, but that appearance is no longer happening. Vulture Festival stated that, due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, Banks and Naomi are no longer able to participate in the event.

Wrestling Observer Radio: All the news, RAW report, Nick Hausman on CM Punk

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including an interview with Nick Hausman regarding what he’s heard about CM Punk of late, updates on Sasha Banks, Carmella, ratings, the return of Dark Side of the Ring, your weekly RAW report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Nick Hausman discusses the AEW/Punk situation

24:49: Sasha Banks went to Mexico City, Carmella discusses miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy

26:42: Ratings

36:27: NXT and AEW previews, Dave watched Suzuki vs. Tom Lawlor

46:57: Dark Side of the Ring and Wrestling With Shadows re-release update

48:34: Raw report

1:06:55: Mailbag

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Daily Update: Shinsuke Nakamura, Friday ratings, Sasha Banks

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

October 31, 2022 Observer Newsletter: AEW completes All Out fight investigation, NXT Halloween Havoc

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the front page today. In hindsight, I think it’s kind of a sad issue filled with many what ifs, but highlights include:
  • The update on the situation after 9/4’s All Out PPV with the fight, suspensions, and investigation
  • The Wrestling Inc. story with new claims as to what happened, CM Punk’s thoughts from his side on things that had happened
  • More on why Punk did the interview he did on Adam Page
  • Reactions of others to that story
  • Why late 2023 and early 2024 are so key to AEW
  • How and why this was handled completely different from how UFC would handle a similar situation
  • The lessons of the entire situation
  • Full coverage of NXT Halloween Havoc
  • Comments from Shawn Michaels about the show
  • UFC 280 coverage and early business notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage and updates on the big decision regarding who is the first IWGP women’s champion
  • Ratings for all the major shows including how the main segments did
  • Major womens tournament news
  • Update on Laredo Kid injury situation
  • Next major AAA show
  • First pro wrestling show ever at Ariake Arena
  • Update on Karl Anderson in New Japan situation
  • New Japan TV title tournament thoughts and updates
  • New Japan joint tour next year
  • Former pro wrestling star inducted into sports Hall of Fame
  • Billy Corgan talks ideas for NWA to work with WWE or AEW
  • Legendary pro wrestling arena in danger of being torn down
  • New major project with Bret Hart coming involving Wrestling with Shadows being re-released
  • Tales from the Territory thoughts
  • Shocker gives his side of the story
  • Next few weeks of Impact TV
  • Update on AEW viewing and how many people have watched TV this year, plus actual numbers that watch the show weekly and other shows which is not the Nielsen number
  • New AEW signings
  • Upcoming ticket sales for AEW & WWE events
  • More notes on Chris Jericho’s first three AEW contracts
  • Thunder Rosa update
  • AEW overseas distribution update
  • Dana White talks Jon Jones return
  • Very interesting Conor McGregor note
  • Bellator part of Japan’s New Year’s Eve show
  • Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva notes
  • Lawsuit filed against Jake Paul
  • What types of angles can we expect more of in WWE
  • Early notes on “Black Adam”
  • WWE injury notes
  • How the World Series will effect pro wrestling shows this week
  • WWE talent up for a number of awards
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • New movies with WWE legend
  • Paul Heyman gets international mainstream exposure
  • First WWE talents to hit 100 matches this year

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

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Monday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. We’ll be talking all the news as well as talking with Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc. regarding the AEW situation with C.M. Punk.

Shinsuke Nakamura spoke with Tokyo Sports, as did Pro Wrestling NOAH, regarding the Great Muta vs. Nakamura match on 1/1 at Budokan Hall that was announced yesterday. Nakamura pushed heavily for it. NOAH had the idea as soon as they announced the Keiji Muto retirement series in June. WWE at first turned down the idea but after Vince McMahon left the company, NOAH tried again to put the match together. WWE only agreed to allowing the match on Wednesday. Nakamura referred to it as “What is it? A dream? An illusion? It’s unmistakable, it’s reality.” In Tokyo Sports, he said, “It can only be called a miracle. I opened a door that no one could break in. Hahaha…it’s a real ‘Forbidden Door’.”

I would say I wouldn’t read anything into the Friday ratings because of the World Series competition, although both shows were down greatly from one year ago when they went against the World Series. Still, SmackDown has been doing well normally and people are used to the FS 1 number being way down and next week it bounces back.  

Raw tonight faces probably its stiffest competition of the year, but with Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns on tonight’s show, that may help them from doing any worse than last week. The show goes against Monday Night Football, which is the Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals. Plus in the past, Halloween has hurt wrestling numbers as well. It’s the go-home show for Crown Jewel so likely angles with Lesnar vs. Lashley. Logan Paul isn’t advertised for tonight so likely no physical angle with Reigns. They can’t do anything with Omos and Braun Strowman physically since Strowman is in Europe. Bianca Belair vs. Nikki Cross, Matt Riddle vs. Otis in a Trick or Street fight and Johnny Gargano promising the tell the truth about Miz nd Dexter Lumis are billed. Raw had 8,400 tickets out as of this morning.

The WWE Smackdown crew, minus Rey Mysterio, Los Lotharios and Legado del Fantasma (who went on the Mexico Raw tour instead) and without Roman Reigns have three more days on a European tour. They run tonight in Stuttgart, Germany, tomorrow in Dortmund, Germany and Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland before the crew goes to Saudi Arabia. We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights from these shows to [email protected] . 

Advertised for Stuttgart today and Dortmund tomorrow ware Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn, Usos & Solo Sikoa vs. Imperium, Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin, Ricochet vs. Xavier Woods, Ridge Holland vs. Madcap Moss, Hit Row vs. Maximum Male Models and Natalya vs. Shotzi plus Liv Morgan. Corbin was not on yesterday’s show so they may have taken him off the tour for Raw tonight.

We’re also looking for reports from Dallas tonight with Main Event matches, dark matches and anything else not on the live show.

Regarding Sasha Banks, she was a WWE guest at the show last night in Mexico City and was hanging around with Bayley. AAA wrestler Mamba took both to a restaurant and bar. One would think that means relations between the WWE and Banks aren’t negative right now.

Also at the show last night, there was an incident described as this: “There was a scary incident that angered some fans in attendance. Quetzalli Bulnes, host of WWE Ahora on YouTube, wanted to give an unplanned spot on the show to one of her friends, a wrestling YouTuber from Spain named Falbak, who was in ringside. Falbak jumped the barricade after Quetzalli encouraged him to do so. Byron Saxton called security to catch him, but Quetzalli ordered them not to do anything to him. Byron Saxton’s face was one of fear and then of anger with Quetzalli for this situation of which he, clearly, had no knowledge. Falbak attempted to get into the ring, but Quetzalli angrily yelled at him to leave and return to ringside. It was reported that Falbak apparently asked Quetzalli for a shout-out at the show and to go for him at ringside, because if she did that, he would give her a gift. But, Falbak’s plan would have been to get into the ring, declare his love for her and steal a kiss from her, regardless of Quetzalli’s response.” (thanks to William Beltran and Super Luchas)

We’re taking a poll this week on the New Japan show at the Palladium in New York, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

Kevin Von Erich talks Zac Efron playing him in the upcoming Von Erichs movie

Regarding the “Wrestling with Shadows re-release that I did a 90 minute discussion for the new release with Bret Hart, it will be available around February.

Other Notes

WWE is doing a sale on some tickets through tonight for discounted tickets for upcoming shows in Pittsburgh, Norfolk, Louisville, Indianapolis and Tampa using the code scary on Ticketmaster.

VH-1 airs another episode of Surreal Life with CJ Perry (Lana) and Dennis Rodman at 9 p.m. Eastern.

Tales from the Territories tomorrow at 10 p.m. covers Stampede Wrestling with a panel of Bret Hart, Abdullah the Butcher, David Schultz and Bobby Bass. 

Tickets for NJPW on 2/18 in San Jose at the Civic Auditorium has a presale on Wednesday using the code NJPW and a public sale on Friday.

Bob Magee has a list of independent shows and charity work and contributions:

      • 1CW Pro Wrestling held Chokeslamming Cancer in Houston, DE on October 15, raising $4,200 for local cancer charities.
      • Live Pro Wrestling returned to Goderich, ON at Goderich Memorial Arena on October 15. $6,000 (and counting) went to the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation, as part of a family friendly night of entertainment with live matches, silent auction, meet and greets with the performers, and a fundraising BBQ before the event.
      • GCW Charity Wrestling returned on October 15 to The Germania Club of Hamilton, ON, collecting 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.
      • Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on October 15, collecting and later distributing bags of non-perishable groceries, frozen hams, donuts and other items.
      • Amped Up Wrestling presented Halloween Slam and Jam in Inglewood, CA on October 16 to raise $2,000 for the Joan and Harry A. Mier Center of Ability First.
      • CanAm Wrestling returned to Calgary, AB on October 19, for “Pick Your Poison” as part of their efforts with Nanbert Manor raising $170 benefitting 500 Toys for 500 Kids.
      • WrestlePro debuted in Chicago, IL on Friday night October 28, teaming up with Hope For Us Network as they presented “Champions Of Hope” to help support suicide prevention. The show was termed “a huge success” with the amount raised coming shortly.
      • World’s Finest Wrestling returned to Connersville, IN on October 29 with $256 raised going to the family of Kylee Cooper.
      • IWA Productions presented its 10th annual Wrestling for a Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 30 raising $1,000 for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital
      • GCW Charity Wrestling came to Aurora, ON on October 30, collecting 100 pounds of non-perishable food for the Operation Sucog Food Bank.

Dungeon Wrestling promoted by Dallas Hart in Calgary Saturday: Tiger Raj Singh b Michael R. Blais, Bruno Blanco b The Prophets, Billington Bulldogs NC Bollywood Boyz, Brian Pillman Jr. b Chris Knight, Chis Masters b Rohan, Mo Jabari b CK Crimson-DQ, Nick Aldis b Harry Smith to win the Stu Hart Heritage championship (thanks to Ross Hart)

WWE notes: Bray Wyatt merchandise sales, Sasha Banks, Chelsea Green

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dave Meltzer shared some WWE news and notes in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

Bray Wyatt tops WWE merchandise sellers

Meltzer is reporting that Bray Wyatt has surpassed the Bloodline as the top merchandise seller in WWE. He also noted the success of the QR code/White Rabbit videos will lead to similar teases in the future. Meltzer noted that such tactics will be “used more often as a facet of storylines and mystery.”

There has also been talk of a potential program involving Roman Reigns and Wyatt in the future, considering how hot Wyatt is at the moment. 

Sasha Banks still under WWE contract

Sasha Banks is still under contract to WWE. Meltzer wrote, “She is still under contract to WWE but there is no word on when she’ll return as there were said to be hang-ups in negotiations for a new deal.”

Banks was in Spain recently for the World CBD Awards show. She owns a new CBD brand with Kalisto/Samuray del Sol named Premier Kanndela Labs. They won the award for Best Industry Newcomer. 

Sheamus getting married

The Bloodline recently attacked Sheamus, injuring his arm and seemingly writing him off of television for a while. This was likely done as a way to explain Sheamus’ absence from television as he takes time off to get married. His fiance, Isabella Revilla, has been posting to Instagram about the upcoming wedding. 

Chelsea Green is possibly WWE-bound

According to PW Insider, Chelsea Green is done with Impact Wrestling. She filmed an “exit vignette” at the last set of tapings and many are under the impression she is headed back to WWE. 

Green signed with WWE in 2018 and wrestled a couple of matches on the main roster in late 2019 and early 2020, including the 2020 Royal Rumble. She broke her wrist during a match on the November 13, 2020 edition of SmackDown and was eventually released on April 15, 2021. 

Sasha Banks, Naomi, New Day attend ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ premiere

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Wrestling’s stars were out for Wednesday’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere in Los Angeles. 

Sasha Banks, Naomi, plus WWE’s The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) and Jimmy Uso walked the purple carpet at the Marvel Studios premiere. 

The stars posted content from the premiere on their social media channels: 

Earlier Wednesday, Banks and Naomi were announced for a panel at Vulture Festival in Los Angeles on November 12. 

Banks and Naomi walked out of a WWE Raw taping on May 16, vacating the Women’s Tag Team Championship. The team were then suspended indefinitely by former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, and publicly buried on commentary by Michael Cole.

Reports later suggested that Banks had received a WWE release, reports that WWE has never confirmed nor denied. Still more reports would later suggest that Banks and Naomi had reached a deal to return to the company, although no return to WWE has officially been announced.

A sequel to 2018’s Black Panther and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Wakanda Forever will be released across the United States on November 11. 

Sasha Banks and Naomi set for Vulture Festival

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Sasha Banks and Naomi will take part in Vulture Festival 2022. 

In an event announced today, Banks (billed as Mercedes Varnado) and Naomi (billed as Trinity Fatu) will “just vibe for like an hour” at Vulture’s pop culture event in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 12. 

Vulture writes: 

Have you ever been in the presence of real legends? Well, lucky you because this is your opportunity to see Mercedes Varnado and Trinity Fatu (also known as Sasha Banks and Naomi of WWE Superstar fame) live and in person for one night only. We’ll look back on some of their favorite memories, play some games, and maybe even do a little dancing? No bad vibes and nothing out of pocket — just a fun night feeling the glow with two legit bosses we’ve missed a whole lot.

Vulture Festival is a pop culture spectacle where Vulture (the website, not the bird) comes to life right before your very eyes. Curated by our very own editors, it’s a weekend of live and in-person panels with some of your favorite stars and creators, where we can all obsess together over the culture we so love.

Vulture Festival will be held at The Hollywood Roosevelt. Tickets for Varnado and Fatu’s event are on sale, with prices ranging from $25 to $37. Jamie Lee Curtis, Kumail Nanjiani, and Henry Winkler are among other celebrities advertised for panels at the event.  

Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE on May 16, vacating the Women’s Tag Team Championship in the process. The pair were suspended indefinitely by former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. 

Reports later suggested that at least Banks had received her WWE release, reports that WWE has never confirmed nor denied. Still more reports would later suggest that Banks and Naomi had reached a deal to return to the company. 

Though no return to WWE has officially been announced, WWE is mentioned by name in the Vulture announcement. Additionally, Banks is advertised for a season one episode of USA Network’s Barmageddon, which premieres on December 5. Additionally, Varnado posted photos from a training session at a wrestling school in Barcelona, Spain.

Varnado has also partnered with former WWE star Kalisto and his wife Abigail in the Kanndela Labs CBD company, which won Best Newcomer in the World CBD Awards last week in Barcelona.

During their wrestling hiatus, Varnado and Fatu have also modeled in New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week events.

Sasha Banks to appear on USA Network’s ‘Barmageddon’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sasha Banks is headed back to the USA Network. 

The 30-year-old is advertised as a celebrity guest for an episode of the first season of ‘Barmageddon.’ The show is a project of Blake Shelton and Carson Daly and will be hosted by WWE Hall-of-Famer Nikki Bella. 

“In each episode, two celebrities will play a unique set of five games in the bar to win a much-needed prize for a viral Internet sensation each has chosen to support,” a description of the show reads. 

According to a report from PEOPLE, Banks will compete against Brie Bella on an episode of the show. Other match-ups scheduled for the first season are as follows:

  • Gwen Stefani vs. Sheryl Crow
  • Elle King vs. Chris Young
  • Clint Bowyer vs. Jimmie Johnson
  • Jay Pharoah vs. Martin Kove
  • Trace Adkins vs. Coach Mike Vrabel
  • Blake Shelton vs. Kane Brown
  • Lil Rel Howery vs. Malin Akerman

The series is scheduled to premiere Monday, December 5 on the USA Network.

“Hosted by WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, the series will see Shelton open the doors of his Nashville-based bar Ole Red to welcome a rowdy crowd for live music sing-alongs and well-loved bar games — with a twist! With Daly behind the bar and Shelton on stage, Bella will keep the competition fierce and set the stakes as celebrity friends go head-to-head in games such as Air Cannon Cornhole, Keg Curling, Drunken Axe Hole, Sharts (“Shelton Darts”) and many more.”

Sasha Banks says modeling debut ‘felt like my first wrestling match’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Sasha Banks has opened up about her modeling debut at New York Fashion Week. 

She was joined by her tag team partner, Naomi, as they walked the runway last week in shows for Mister Triple X and Jessica Jade. Banks spoke to Page Six Style about the experience. 

“It felt chaotic. It felt like my first wrestling match all over again!” she said.

“I’m back to being the new girl. It felt like everyone was like, ‘Who’s this? Who’s taking my spot?’ But I just had to walk in with confidence like I knew what I was doing because this has been a dream of mine for such a long time, to be in the modeling space.”

Banks also spoke about her ring-name being a tribute to model/actress, Tyra Banks 

“Tyra, Adriana Lima, I grew up watching all of the Victoria’s Secret girls, so I always dreamt of being on a runway,” Banks continued. “Watching those girls, I was always like, ‘I want to have wings one day.’”

Banks commented on Naomi having participated in the event as well. 

“Trinity is my best friend, my soul sister, my partner in everything,” Banks said. “While I was channeling Tyra, Trinity was serving Naomi Campbell on the runway.”

“I want to walk in Paris and Milan next, but I’m also just trying to make my way through this modeling world and get in all the magazines. Vogue feels like a good start,” Banks continued. 

“To put on these beautiful, larger-than-life wedding dresses, I just felt like the queen, the princess, the boss that I am.” 

Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque recently commented on the possibility of Banks returning to WWE during an interview with Ariel Helwani.

“Time will tell. I think in a lot of ways communication breakdowns are terrible. There was a communication breakdown there, for whatever reason. Starting back up that communication is not a difficult process but it can be a process and you have to go through the process. But she’s an unbelievably talented woman who can do just about anything she wants, it just comes down to what does she want to do now.”

“She’s an unbelievable performer that I believe in with everything I have,” Levesque said.

Naomi and Banks appeared together at C2E2 in August. They also attended at the premiere for Disney’s She-Hulk later that month. 

Bayley: I just want Sasha Banks & Naomi to know I support them 100 percent

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following their walkout from WWE and in advance of a potential return, Bayley just wants Sasha Banks and Naomi to know that she supports them.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated ahead of this weekend’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view, Bayley was asked about Banks and Naomi potentially coming back to WWE. Bayley said she hasn’t thought about whether she, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY would align with Banks and Naomi or fight against them.

“I haven’t thought about whether they would join or whether we would be against them, but something would arise,” Bayley said. “I just want them to know I support them 100 percent, no matter what.”

Banks and Naomi haven’t appeared on WWE programming since walking out of an episode of Raw this May. Banks and Naomi walked out of the show after taking issue with their creative direction.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque also discussed Banks’ status during an interview with BT Sport that was released on Friday.

“Time will tell. I think in a lot of ways communication breakdowns are terrible. There was a communication breakdown there, for whatever reason. Starting back up that communication is not a difficult process but it can be a process and you have to go through the process. But [Banks is] an unbelievably talented woman who can do just about anything she wants, it just comes down to what does she want to do now,” Levesque said.

“She’s an unbelievable performer that I believe in with everything I have.”

One year after suffering a torn ACL, Bayley made her return at SummerSlam, joining forces with Kai and SKY. Bayley, Kai & SKY will face Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss in a six-woman tag match at Clash at the Castle this Saturday.

Triple H comments on possible WWE returns of Bray Wyatt, Sasha Banks, Braun Strowman

Posted on by Ian Carey

Paul “Triple H” Levesque has commented on the possible WWE returns of several former members of the roster. 

Levesque spoke to Ariel Helwani recently and was asked about the chances of Sasha Banks, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, and the Rock returning to the company. 

When asked about Banks, Levesque responded, “Time will tell. I think in a lot of ways communication breakdowns are terrible. There was a communication breakdown there, for whatever reason. Starting back up that communication is not a difficult process but it can be a process and you have to go through the process. But she’s an unbelievably talented woman who can do just about anything she wants, it just comes down to what does she want to do now.”

“She’s an unbelievable performer that I believe in with everything I have,” he continued.

Levesque was also asked about Braun Strowman.

“Braun Strowman, we’ll see,” he responded. “He’s a polarizing person a little bit sometimes in the business but for a guy his size, what he brings to the table, he’s an amazing athlete.”

“If this is what he wants to do at the highest of levels, then I would like nothing more than to give him another shot,” Levesque continued. 

Levesque was also asked about Bray Wyatt returning to WWE. 

“One of the most – I mean this in the best way possible – crazy, creative people I’ve ever been around. Mind just never stops thinking of creative but it’s like being in a whirlwind of stuff. So without the harness and without someone to point the tornado, it’s just all over the place. He’s a victim of his own mind and creative but I love working with him.”

Levesque also commented on The Rock. He noted that he believes Rock wants to return for a big event such as WrestleMania but it’s a matter of if doing so works with his schedule. 

“I know somewhere deep inside of him there is that burning thing to go, ‘I gotta feel that one more time, gotta get in there one more time because that clock is ticking,'” Levesque said.