Sasha Banks Update: Is She Really Leaving WWE To Go To Japan?

The pro wrestling world continues to wait with bated breath for the return of Sasha Banks and Naomi's to WWE, but rumors are now suggesting that the former is completely done with the top-tier promotion.

The Wrestling Observer reported that Banks is taking her talents to Japan as part of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) after coming to terms with them for next year according to renowned pro wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.

"I asked WWE about it and they had basically nothing to say as far as the situation. [WWE] were talking to her about a return and they were very far apart on money. That was the last that I had heard," Meltzer mentioned on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

"What she was asking for was a very high number for a WWE woman wrestler but again, if you look at the amount of money WWE takes in, she still would have been underpaid."

Meltzer was quick to add that Banks' rumored appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in January is not going to be in any performing capacity, but will be at the show.

Additional rumors of where Banks will go to next escalated in recent weeks after All Elite Wrestling (AEW) started hyping up Saraya (Paige in WWE) having a mystery partner in her tag team matchup against Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter on January 11.

The timing is certainly intriguing as it is widely believed among fans that Banks' contract with WWE will expire on January 1, and the January 11 AEW show would be the perfect time to debut her.

However, Meltzer noted that AEW could be second-guessing their thoughts on signing her then due to her already high ask from WWE.

But the aforementioned pro wrestling company mentioned that it can afford Banks to be on its payroll.

AEW and NJPW have had a working relationship that led to the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in late Jun, so the possibility of her being at both Wrestle Kingdom 17 and work the AEW show is plausible.

For those hoping that Banks returns to the new WWE that is being ran by former NXT showrunner Triple H, Meltzer was not as optimistic–at least for now.

"As of right now, she's done with WWE. Like I said, it could change at any moment but that's the situation right now," Meltzer reported.

It has been a topsy-turvy couple of months for the pro wrestling landscape with regard to Banks' official status, and based on the reports, it does appear that she is fully prepared to move on to the next phase of her career.