Sasha Banks and Naomi were right to flex their muscle at WWE Raw

“Card subject to change” is a phrase that is usually at the bottom type of any event promotion. Why? Because change comes fast and that happened on the latest edition of WWE Monday Night Raw. The main event was promoted as a women’s six-pack challenge featuring Sasha Banks, Naomi, Doudrop, Nikki ASH, Becky Lynch, and Asuka. However, news broke that Banks and Naomi left the venue due to Banks’s disagreement with creative direction, and that caused a shift in the show. That’s a huge flex for Banks and one that shows she knows her worth both within the WWE and beyond.

PWI Insider first reported that when Banks heard of the plans for the match, she spoke with WWE CEO and Chairman, Vince McMahon about his disagreement with the plans. Neither individual was willing to move on with their opinions, and that led to Banks and Naomi leaving the arena before the show started.

WWE shifted its plans, creating a main event match between Becky Lynch and Asuka instead, but not without taking their shots and the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions by saying they “unprofessionally” left the arena.

As the evening went on, more news about the situation became known as Fightful Select reported that Naomi was the one booked to win. That would make her the number one contender to take on Bianca Belair, potentially at Hell in a Cell. But that wasn’t the end of the craziness as WWE released a statement regarding the situation.

"“When Sasha Banks and Naomi arrived at the arena this afternoon, they were informed of their participation in the main event of tonight’s Monday Night Raw. During the broadcast, they walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis’ office with their suitcases in hand, placed their tag team championships belts on his desk, and walked out.They claimed they weren’t respected enough as tag team champions. And even though they had eight hours to rehearse and construct their match, they claimed they were uncomfortable in the ring with two of their opponents – even though they’d had matches with those individuals in the past with no consequence.”"

WWE went on to say that they regret they were “unable to deliver,” on the advertised main event. That’s a major step for the WWE that never acknowledges matters such as these. WWE consistently changes matches and it’s well known that some changes occur hours before the show starts. This is the first time that the company has gone public with such a statement when a major change happens. And this is directly correlated to Sasha Banks’ star power.

Banks is one of the most important members of the WWE roster. After Roman Reigns, she is the biggest draw the company must present to viewers. Her fanbase has powered the company to improved ratings and some of the best-performing moments in recent television. Her reach is continually expanding beyond that, recently being featured on Kevin Hart’s show “Cold as Balls.” During that show Hart even acknowledges Banks’ talent, saying she has much to offer not only WWE but the world of acting as well.

Naomi is a veteran that has been with WWE for years and has the fanbase to show it. However, WWE consistently mismanages her utilization and presentation to those fans that want to see more from her. Fans have pushed for her to get better opportunities, especially as the company continues to lean on the usual faces.

Even though WWE attempted to paint Banks as “unprofessional” for the matter, this was the right move for not only both women but the other women in the match.

WWE’s booking of the Women’s Tag Team division and titles has been beyond lazy. The company creates makeshift teams and then splits them up, only to leave everyone off television for months at a time. Banks and Naomi recently defended the titles against Nikki and Doudrop and it looked like there were plans to build toward that angle. Why were all four of them involved in this match? With the point that Naomi was to win, was WWE planning on a split between the champions, barely a month before they won the titles at WrestleMania 38? None of this makes sense and highlights the frustration that many have with WWE and the booking of the women on the roster.

And it’s not that the company is short on competitors. Dana Brooke, Carmella, Zelina, Raquel Rodrigues, Shotzi, Aliyah, and Xia Li are seven other individuals that could have easily filled a role in this match. WWE’s lack of desire to create multiple storylines of purpose within the women’s division led to a situation like this, even if they try to paint Sasha and Naomi as the villains.

Sasha Banks and Naomi flexed their star power on Monday Night Raw and it was the right move to take. WWE has every opportunity to do better by the women on their roster and if this situation doesn’t cause them to change, nothing probably will.