KEY POINTS
- Mickie James is siding with Sasha Banks and Naomi
- The pair took offense with their booking and subsequently walked off the May 16 episode of Raw
- Banks and Naomi have since been suspended for their actions
The entire pro-wrestling world is currently on edge regarding the walkout of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks and Naomi on the May 16 episode of Monday Night Raw, and a former Women’s Champion is taking their side in the matter.
Mickie James recently made an appearance on Busted Open Radio and explained to hosts Dave LaGreca and pro-wrestling icon Tommy Dreamer why.
“I actually applaud them standing [on] their convictions and how they felt. If that’s how they felt and they felt disrespected, or they felt unheard, or they felt any of those things, at the end of the day, we’re still independent contractors,” James said.
“It can be argued that they did show up to work that day, they saw whatever they were supposed to do and they had committed to at least half the day. I don’t really know because I wasn’t there to see the whole thing, so you’re only hearing what they (other sources) put out.”
According to multiple reports, the trouble for Banks and Naomi all began when they were booked in a six-woman match for the right to face Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view this June 5.
With Naomi booked to win the match by having her eliminate Banks last during the match, the pair were seemingly disturbed with this booking as they stormed out a few hours before the show began and left their belts on the table of WWE’s Head of Talent Relations in John Laurinaitis.
The pair’s actions had also reportedly left the WWE locker room split between the two, with some agreeing with their sentiments while others admonish their decision to leave the show at such a precarious time.
Following her booked loss to her partner, Banks was still slated to perform at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view and challenge Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship which has since been shelved.
James also took the time to admonish WWE’s abrasive response to the situation as the promotion has been taking shots at both women by way of the commentators and its official statement on the matter.
“Honestly, when I saw the statement, I was a bit in shock that WWE would even put out this statement. I couldn’t believe [WWE CEO & Chairman] Vince [McMahon] signed off on this statement,” James said with much disappointment in the company that had her make a one-off appearance at the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble.
Banks and Naomi have since been suspended indefinitely, and a tournament will be held to determine the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
With the situation between the organization and two of its top performers quickly devolving, it remains to be seen how it all plays out in the grand scheme of things.
Current Impact Knockouts Champion Mickie James will be entering the Women's Royal Rumble with the WWE on January 29, 2022. Photo: WWE
