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BOSTON, MA - MAY 8: Six time WWE Women's Champion Sasha Banks holds up her arms after throwing out the first pitch before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park on May 8, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
The status of Sasha Banks remains a hot topic in the world of professional wrestling, but things are starting to become clearer for the former multi-time WWE Women's Champion.
Banks, who has been using her real name Mercedes Varnado, raised eyebrows when it was reported last week that she'd be making an appearance at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's marquee event, Wrestle Kingdom 17, at the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4.
According to a new report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful (h/t Sunil Joseph of Ringside News), Banks is free to take bookings starting on Jan. 1 and her departure from WWE was known for quite some time:
"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."
Giri reported in June that Banks was released from WWE following her walkout from an episode of Monday Night Raw alongside her tag team partner Naomi over creative differences. When longtime WWE chairman Vince McMahon retired in July, it had been speculated that Banks and Naomi would return to the company at some point, but that no longer appears to be the case.
It remains to be seen what the future has in store for Banks, but as one of the biggest stars in the wrestling business, she will surely have no shortage of options.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (some language NSFW).
Drew McIntyre Says He'll Return from Injury Before WWE WrestleMania 39 amid Rumors
Dec 15, 2022
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY - NOVEMBER 14: Drew McIntyre attends the MTV EMAs 2021 at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena on November 14, 2021 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Daniele Venturelli/WireImage )
Two-time WWE champion Drew McIntyre is out of action with an injury, but he doesn't intend on being out for too long.
During an appearance on WWE's The Bump on Wednesday (h/t Smita Singha Roy of Ringside News), McIntyre gave an update on his status:
McIntyre said he will be back "very very soon," and that he's "not going to miss" WrestleMania season.
WrestleMania 39 is not until April, but WrestleMania season is usually considered the time from the Royal Rumble in late January up until WrestleMania. That suggests The Scottish Warrior could potentially be back in time to compete in the men's Royal Rumble match.
While WWE has yet to announce the exact nature of McIntyre's injury, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (h/t WrestlingInc's Matthew Wilkinson) reported that the injury is indeed legitimate.
On Nov. 26, McIntyre competed in a WarGames match at Survivor Series WarGames, teaming with Kevin Owens and The Brawling Brutes in a losing effort against The Bloodline.
One night later, McIntyre was part of an eight-man tag team match at a live event that saw him, Owens, Butch and Ridge Holland defeat Bloodline members The Usos, Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa.
McIntyre has not wrestled since then, and he was even removed from a scheduled match on SmackDown last week, as he and Sheamus were supposed to face The Usos in an undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship match.
Butch filled in for McIntyre as Sheamus' partner, and The Usos won the match to retain their titles.
McIntyre has been one of WWE's top babyfaces since 2020, which was when he won the men's Royal Rumble and went on to beat Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 36.
He has not been champion for quite some time due to Roman Reigns' stranglehold on both world titles, but McIntyre often finds himself in the mix and near the top of the card, which underscores his importance.
McIntyre figures to have a significant role on the WrestleMania card, which is why it is paramount for WWE to get him back in the near future.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot wrestling topics. Catch the latest episode in the player below (warning: some language NSFW).
