In this WrestleTalk News, perhaps the first big sign that Sasha Banks is done with WWE,
but the company does have interest in two other big indie players, updates on Randy
Orton and Jeff Hardy returning and more.
I’ve got to do it, haven’t I?
I know it’s what you want.
So sing along with me in the comments, because to paraphrase the great Sinaed O’Conner,
it’s been several hours and 184 days… since Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out on
WWE while being the reigning Women’s Tag Team Champions.
The pair left over creative frustrations with the women’s division while Vince McMahon
and Johnny Ace were in charge of the show, with Banks and Naomi leaving their titles
on Ace’s desk as they walked out the building.
That was back in May, and since then the pair have done convention signings, appearances,
and been invited to red carpet events.
There is still a lack of clarity on the status of their WWE contracts, with some reports
from the time saying both had deals that were close to being renegotiated, and other sources
saying neither can wrestle for anyone outside of WWE until early next year.
But a lot has changed in the landscape of WWE since May.
Both Vince McMahon and Johnny Ace are no longer with the company, with Vince’s son-in law
Triple H now running creative and his daughter, Stephanie, heading up as Co-CEO of the entire
company.
Several faces that were fired during the pandemic - or let their contracts expire to explore
potentially greener pastures - have also returned, like Johnny Gargano, Candice LaRea, The Good
Brothers, Hit Row, Mia Yim, Karrion Kross & Scarlett, Braun Strowman and even Bray Wyatt.
Since the start of the Triple H regime, there have been several reports and fan speculation
that Banks and Naomi will be making their way back to WWE.
Last month there was a report that said the two sides had been talking, but Triple H himself
revealed that there had been a “communication breakdown” between the two and restarting
those conversations is, “not a difficult process, but it’s a process, and you have
to go through the process.”
The rumors of Banks and Naomi making their return to WWE were kicked into overdrive when
the pair were reinstated into the Then, Now, Forever, Together bumper that kicked off WWE’s
Crown Jewel, however it was reported by Fightful Select that this was done in error, and the
production team just played an old intro.
This came around the same time of a new report that Triple H had planned to “fast track”
NXT star Cora Jade to the main roster to potentially be the next Sasha Banks.
But Banks herself also announced on her Instagram Stories that she was working on something
that had been in the making for the same amount of time she’d been away from WWE, sending
the wrestling fan world into a spiral when she posted a fan made graphic of her versus
Kairi Sane for the new IWGP Women’s Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
There was also speculation that Banks and Naomi would return for WWE’s War Games at
Survivor Series as Belair’s team - as of last week - had two spots open.
However one of those has now been taken by Mia Yim, while Bayley’s team was rounded
out this week by Rhea Ripley.
We’ll have more on those changes in a bit.
So, to round all this up, Banks and Naomi left.
Then there were reports they’d come back, some communication broke down, Banks removed
the Sasha Banks name from her Twitter handle, and no one quite knows where anyone stands.
But what we do know is that Banks has made some interesting trademarks that might suggest
she is done with WWE all together.
It was revealed yesterday that Banks - via her company Soulnado, which also sounds like
a cheap SyFy movie - had made the trademarks for the following terms:
All of which are references to her WWE gimmick of The Boss, her gimmick surname of Banks,
and her submission finish The Bank Statement.
Her real name, Mercedes, is also part of the list - potentially as a new in-ring name for
her if she does wrestle for companies outside of WWE.
The trademarks were filled by attorney Michael Dockins, who handles wrestling trademarks
for several names in the industry.
But perhaps there is some hope for that WWE return after all, because none of these trademarks
are wrestling-related.
Instead they are for clothing, jewelry, posters, stickers, trading cards, coffee mugs, and
action figures.
If anything, this feels more like Banks is about to announce a new toyline with Mercedes
Mone’ as the lead character, the leader of an elite group of combat superheroes called
the Statement Makers complete with awesome 80s rocking intro that will be covered by
Powerglove to be played at comic conventions.
Give me your pitches for this new cartoon and action figure line in the comments down
below.
Adding speculation fuel to what is already a raging fire, Banks has been announced for
Comic Con Revolution in May of next year.
Not only has she been announced under her real name Mercedes Varnado, but they write
in the press release she’s the, “professional sports entertainer FKA Sasha Banks and Koska
Reeves from the Disney + series The Mandalorian.”
The adding of “Formerly Known As” might be the biggest indication that she is done
with WWE after all.
What do you think is going on with Sasha Banks?
Let me know in the comments down below.
But if Banks or Naomi don’t return to WWE, there are two other names that could.
Chelsea Green was released from WWE in April 2021, just a few months after debuting on
the main roster for SmackDown but breaking her wrist in her first match.
Green was scheduled to win that match and earn a spot on the Survivor Series team, but
those plans were changed on the fly and a few months later was given her marching orders.
She’s since appeared for ROH - back before the Tony Khan days - and was scheduled to
be part of the tournament to crown the ROH Women’s World Championship before another
injury sidelined her from competing.
She also returned to Impact Wrestling to team with her real-life fiance Matt Cardona, and
won the Knockouts Tag Team Championships with also former WWE-star Deonna Purrazo as VXT,
losing those titles to The Death Dollz at last month's Bound For Glory.
WresleVotes reported last month that WWE had “significant interest” in bringing back
Chelsea Green into the company, which also came off the back of Green filming a vignette
for Impact which suggested she was done with the company.
WrestleVote’s first report says that, while not confirmed, the deal would likely be for
the main roster rather than NXT, and recently told Give Me Sport that she could come back
as part of a 2-for-1 deal with Cardona, the former Zack Ryder in WWE.
They report, “I’ve heard because of what he’s done on the indies that Hunter is a
fan of [Cardona].
Hunter would 100% take Matt Cardona back, but I don’t know if that offer has been
extended.
If he comes in with Chelsea Green, I don’t know.
I know he really wants Chelsea back.
Specifically, I know Shawn Michaels loves Chelsea Green, so if they want her you would
think they kind of make a two-for-one offer, like we’ll take both you guys if you want.”
Cardona has really made a name for himself since leaving WWE in April of 2020, winning
titles in Impact and making the internet super mad when he won the GCW Championship from
Nick Gage in a fantastic death match, and even captured the NWA Worlds Championship
in February.
Would you like to see Green and Cardona back in WWE?
Let me know in the comments.
And if Green did come back, there is a spot open for her in War Games.
It was revealed on this week’s Raw that Mia Yim would join Bianca Belair team against
Bayley’s group of baddies, which has now added Rhea Ripley to complete their line-up.
There is still one spot open on Belair’s team, with speculation abound that it could
be filled by Dana Brooke - who lost her 24/7 Championship to Nikki Cross and is looking
for revenge - and even Beth Phoenix, who was taken out at Extreme Rules by Ripley in the
finish of Edge’s match with Finn Balor.
However the spot was reportedly originally designed for Candie LaRea, who was taken out
by Damage CTRL a few weeks ago in a backstage segment, which is now being reported as a
way to write her off TV to recover from an injury.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that LaRea had been “earmarked” for the
final spot, but her injury might keep her off the PPV.
On the men’s side of things, we have the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre going up
against The Bloodline with one spot open on their side too.
Many fans figured this would be Kevin Owens due to his connections with Sami Zayn, but
it was reported over the weekend that Owens sprained his MCL on a house show, and Dave
Meltzer added on Wrestling Observer Radio that this could cost him his spot in War Games.
Meltzer said, “I believe he was going to be in the WarGames match.
That’s not 100% confirmed, but it is certainly the talk, and he was supposed to be in something
as a surprise.
So it all adds up that it would be the WarGames match”
Who do you think could be the fifth member of Sheamus’ group?
Let me know in the comments why it should be Madcap Moss.
It likely won’t be Randy Orton, sadly, who has been off TV since May, reported to be
a back issue.
It has been reported that Orton wouldn’t be back for the rest of the year, and his
wife Kim posted on her Instagram - confirming PWInsider reports he’d been spotted in Birmingham,
Alabama - that Orton was getting surgery.
WrestleVotes reported via Give Me Sport that the original Orton return plan was for him
to turn on Matt Riddle immediately, but those plans have now changed since Triple H took
over creative.
We here at WrestleTalk wish Randy Orton the speediest of recoveries.
Speaking of wrestling returns, and there is still a big question mark over the AEW return
of Jeff Hardy.
Hardy was suspended from All Elite Wrestling back in June, after he was arrested for DUI,
his third offense in 10 years.
Hardy submitted a ‘not guilty’ plea.
According to PWInsider, Hardy will have a pre-trial hearing this coming Friday, which
has been pushed back twice from July and October.
The first trial was postponed as his attorneys waived his right to a speedy trial to request
more time.
The second delay came from a “last-minute” motion with his attorneys saying that, “The
parties require additional time to negotiate a potential pretrial resolution.”
This would suggest that Hardy’s attorney team are working on an agreement that would
prevent
a trial.