May 30, 2022 Observer Newsletter: Sasha Banks & Naomi indefinitely suspended, more on Kota Ibushi & NJPW
Michael Cole on Smackdown in a statement prepared for him to read, announced on the 5/20 live show from Grand Rapids, MI, that Sasha Banks (Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, 30) and Naomi (Trinity Fatu, 34), had been suspended indefinitely and that a tournament would be held for the women’s tag team titles they had vacated.
The suspension is without pay. In addition, the company pulled all of its merchandise from its website, meaning it would not get any new merchandise revenue. There was merchandise for both women available at the live shows over the weekend because that stuff was prepared ahead of time.
Based on WWE contracts, the company also has the right to freeze the contract if suspending someone with the idea that they refused to work. In the case of Fatu, that is notable because it was believed her deal expired in around two months. It is known that her deal was coming due and she was in negotiations for a new deal. Most WWE new deals have been for significantly more money than the old deals because the competition in wrestling has raised the salary structure. It is not known when Varnado’s contract was due.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.