Sasha Banks stepped away from WWE in 2023 and has not returned to regular wrestling

Sasha Banks, whose real name is Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, left WWE in May 2023 after a contract dispute and has not wrestled for the company since. She did not retire from professional wrestling entirely—she has made select appearances for other promotions and continues to work in entertainment—but she is not an active WWE performer on their weekly shows or pay-per-view events.

Her departure followed a public disagreement with WWE management over creative direction and contract terms. She had been one of WWE's most prominent women's wrestlers for nearly a decade, holding multiple championship titles and headlining major events. The split was significant enough that WWE removed her from their official roster pages and removed her entrance music from their video game releases.

Key Takeaways

  • Sasha Banks left WWE in May 2023 and has not returned as of late 2024, following a contract dispute with the company.
  • She has made occasional appearances for other wrestling promotions, including AEW and independent companies, but these have been limited.
  • Banks has focused on other entertainment work, including acting roles and content creation, rather than pursuing a full-time wrestling schedule elsewhere.
  • WWE has not announced any plans to bring her back, and she has not publicly indicated plans to return to the company.

What happened between Sasha Banks and WWE

In May 2023, Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of a WWE Monday Night Raw taping in protest over how they were being used creatively. The two wrestlers felt their storylines and character development were not being handled properly. WWE suspended both of them, and the situation escalated into a broader contract dispute.

Banks had been with WWE since 2013 and was one of their marquee women's wrestlers. She had held the Raw Women's Championship, the SmackDown Women's Championship, and the NXT Women's Championship at various points. The disagreement centered on creative control and contract terms, and the two sides could not reach a resolution. WWE eventually granted her release from her contract, making her a free agent.

Her appearances since leaving WWE

After leaving WWE, Banks made a few wrestling appearances outside the company. She wrestled for AEW (All Elite Wrestling) in late 2023, competing in matches that were broadcast on their programming. These appearances were not regular or ongoing—they were one-off or limited engagements rather than a full-time position.

She has also made appearances for independent wrestling promotions and international companies, though these have been sporadic. The frequency and visibility of these appearances are far lower than her WWE schedule was. Most of her professional time since mid-2023 has been directed toward acting, voice work, and other entertainment projects outside of wrestling.

Her work outside of wrestling

Banks has pursued acting and entertainment roles since her WWE departure. She has appeared in television shows and films, leveraging her profile and performance skills in a broader entertainment context. This shift reflects a deliberate move away from wrestling as her primary focus.

She has also maintained a presence on social media and through content creation, staying connected with her fanbase without being tied to a wrestling promotion's schedule or creative direction. This allows her to control her own narrative and brand in a way that a full-time wrestling contract would not.

Whether she might return to WWE

As of late 2024, there is no public indication that Sasha Banks plans to return to WWE, and WWE has not announced any plans to bring her back. The departure was contentious enough that reconciliation would likely require significant changes in contract terms, creative control, or both.

Professional wrestling has a history of wrestlers departing and returning years later, sometimes after working for other promotions. However, the circumstances of Banks's exit—a public walkout over creative disagreement—make a near-term return less likely than a typical departure. Any return would probably require both sides to publicly signal willingness to negotiate.

Her legacy in WWE

Despite her departure, Sasha Banks remains one of the most significant women's wrestlers in WWE history. She was central to the women's evolution in WWE during the 2010s and early 2020s, helping to establish women's wrestling as a main-event draw. Her matches are still available on WWE's streaming service and are frequently referenced in discussions of women's wrestling quality.

Her absence from WWE is notable precisely because of how prominent she was. Fans and wrestling media continue to discuss the circumstances of her departure and speculate about her future, which underscores her importance to the company's recent history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Sasha Banks retire from wrestling?

No, she did not retire. She left WWE and has made occasional wrestling appearances for other promotions, but these have been limited. She has shifted her focus toward acting and entertainment work rather than pursuing wrestling full-time.

Can I watch her WWE matches anywhere?

Yes. WWE's streaming service, Peacock, has her matches archived. YouTube also has clips and highlights from her WWE career. Her matches are still part of WWE's official library despite her departure from the company.

Has she wrestled for AEW?

Yes, she made appearances for AEW in late 2023, but these were not ongoing. She has not been a regular part of their roster and has not wrestled for them consistently since those initial appearances.

Why did she leave WWE?

She and Naomi walked out over creative disagreement—they felt their storylines were not being handled properly. The situation escalated into a contract dispute that WWE and Banks could not resolve, leading to her release.

Is there any chance she returns to WWE?

It is possible but not likely in the near term. The departure was contentious, and there is no public indication from either side that they are interested in negotiating a return. Professional wrestling has seen wrestlers return after years away, but it would require both parties to signal willingness to work together again.