Within months, it was overshadowed by an even bigger backstage drama. But for a few months in 2022, Sasha Banks & Naomi’s exit from WWE was the wrestling world’s big behind-the-scenes story.
It ultimately seems to have worked out well for all involved. Naomi had a great run in TNA under her real first name Trinity before returning to WWE, where women’s wrestling continues to thrive (despite continuing to feel “cursed” for a long time, one could argue that even the tag belts Banks & Naomi were stripped of after walking out are finally in a better place). Sasha took the name Mercedes Moné, got paid by AEW’s Tony Khan, and after losing a year to injure seems poised to continue wrestling all over the globe.
But there would certainly be interest in Mercedes & Trinity’s detailed account of what happened on that May 16 evening. While promoting AEW Forbidden Door on WFAN, Moné teased her version of the story. It’s not something we’ll get any time soon, however:
“For so many years, everyone wants the tea on that drama. You’re not going to get it unless you buy the book, maybe ten years later.”
Right now, AEW’s TBS champion is continuing to put a positive spin on her WWE run & exit, while focusing on her present & futue:
“For me, I went from a Legit Boss to a CEO because I wanted to grow. There was something in my soul that said, ‘You need to grow.’ I wanted to be the CEO of my own life. There was a light source that came into my heart that day. ‘You have to do what’s right for you. What’s happening right now at this moment is not right. You have to take your life in your hands and go make it happen. Go make your heart happy. Go let them know that what they’re doing right now is wrong and show them.’ I did.
“I had to let them know that I am the right one that you messed with that day, and now here I am today, one of the highest-paid women in women’s wrestling history. The TBS Champion is going after the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship this Sunday [in a Title for Title match at Sunday’s PPV on Long Island]. I get to do so much of my dreams because of that day that I walked out and trusted my heart.
“I have so many friends and family there, still in WWE. That place is always going to be a special place in my heart because that’s what I grew up watching; that was my goal in life, and I got to accomplish and live out all my dreams there. I can’t think there would be enough for all of the opportunity that they gave me, but I’m here to make more. I’m here to put women’s wrestling on the map and make it globalized, so it’s not just one place for people to watch women’s wrestling. I want people to watch it all over the world, and I want fans to know that there’s so many amazing, incredible women performers everywhere.”
For more, we’ll just have to wait for that 2034 book release.
H/t WrestlingNews.co
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