Sasha Banks returns to WWE SmackDown
Sasha Banks returned to WWE television tonight and continued her feud with SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair.
Banks initially made her return by saving Belair from Carmella and Zelina Vega on tonight’s SmackDown. But after teaming with Belair to defeat Carmella & Vega in tonight’s main event, Banks attacked Belair and beat her down. The show ended with Banks having Belair locked in the Banks Statement.
Belair won the SmackDown Women’s Championship by defeating Banks in the main event of WrestleMania 37 night one this April. Prior to returning tonight, Banks had been off WWE TV since the post-WrestleMania 37 episode of SmackDown. A frustrated Banks stormed out of a backstage interview on that episode.
Banks and Belair’s match at WrestleMania 37 won the “Best WWE Moment” award at the ESPYS earlier this month.
A segment where Belair celebrated reaching 100 days as SmackDown Women’s Champion led into Banks’ return on SmackDown tonight. Carmella interrupted Belair and wanted another shot at the title. Vega then also got involved and wanted a title shot. Carmella attacked Belair, then Vega joined Carmella in beating her down. Banks ran out to make the save, helped Belair up, and hugged her.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.