Report: Sasha Banks Inks New Deal With WWE
Next week on WWE Raw, Sasha Banks will compete in a Gauntlet Match for the chance to be the fourth and final member of the Raw roster to qualify for the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. While Sasha will hope to fight for figurative “money” on June 17, she’s reportedly earned some literal “money” this week after signing a new contract with WWE.
One of the most respected wrestlers on the planet, Sasha Banks has climbed to the top of the totem pole in WWE. Although her title reigns have never lasted more than 27 days, Sasha is a four-time Raw Women’s Champion and has gained a diehard following of fans.
According to WrestleVotes on Twitter (tweet embedded below), Sasha has signed a new contract with WWE “within the last week or so”. This is fantastic news for both Sasha and WWE, though it comes as no surprise. Banks is one of the company’s biggest stars and shines against any opponent. Many wrestlers have had career-defining performances when in the ring with Sasha, whose promo work nearly matched her in-ring prowess when she was a heel in NXT.
Hopefully, Banks’s deal is a lucrative one, because WWE doesn’t pay its women nearly enough, especially compared to how valuable they’ve become for this company. You know, a company that reportedly just signed a five-year deal worth $1 billion with Fox for the rights to broadcast SmackDown Live on Friday nights.
Contract news: hearing that Sasha Banks has re-signed to remain w/ WWE within the last week or so. She will continue to be a key part of the women’s division for years to come. Sasha certainly earned her new deal. She moves lots of merchandise & the young fans love her.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) May 22, 2018
As of right now, Banks is hoping to qualify for the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match, and her opportunity will come next week on Raw. After losing a Triple Threat match to Ember Moon (Ruby Riott was also involved) a couple of weeks ago, Sasha will get a second in a Gauntlet Match next week. The match will also include Sarah Logan, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, Bayley, Mickie James, and Dana Brooke.
Sasha and Bayley have been bickering for months, and while it seemed like the two reconciled recently when they helped each other in the face of the Riott Squad (both have lost singles matches to Ruby), WWE could pull the trigger on this feud soon. Squared Circle Sirens’s Casey Michael noted that the timing of this reported contract signing could indicate that WWE was waiting on beginning the feud until Banks officially re-signed.
In NXT, Banks vs. Bayley was one of the best feuds the company produced in recent years, and their two matches at TakeOver specials still rank among the greatest women’s matches of all-time. Both wrestlers have changed since then, but most fans are still hoping for these two to clash at a marquee event, potentially even SummerSlam.