WWE: Former Champion Talks About Walking Away, NXT's TV Debut

Sasha Banks made an emphatic return to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) during the Monday Night Raw episode on Aug. 12 in a new avatar and first major contribution was to attack one-time friend Natalya. The former RAW women’s champion had not been seen inside the squared circle since WrestleMania 35 in April.

The “Legit Boss” stepped away from the promotion after losing the tag team titles with partner Bayley at WrestleMania 35 and many speculated that she was keen to leave WWE. There were also rumors about Banks having thrown a tantrum after it was revealed that they – Banks and Bayley – will be dropping the tag team titles at WWE’s flagship pay-per-view (PPV).

Banks was said to be looking for a way out of the promotion but was asked to take some time off before making a return. She returned to the promotion as a heel and has gone on to form a rivalry with reigning RAW women’s champion Becky Lynch. Speaking about her time away, the 27-year-old admitted that she needed a break to re-evaluate her “life and soul” after competing without a break for seven years straight.

"I've been doing this for seven years straight, no breaks," Sasha Banks told The Mac Attack on WFNZ Radio, as quoted on Wrestling Inc. "People need to step back, re-evaluate their lives, take care of their souls, and their minds. I'm back and better than ever. I got myself a championship match on Sunday, so I think I did quite well for myself."

The “Legit Boss” came into WWE through the promotion’s other brand NXT, which signs up and coming wrestling talent from across the globe. The NXT brand, where she was a major star, is currently being aired exclusively on the WWE Network but later this month it will make the transition to television with USA Network on Wednesday nights.

“I mean it's so crazy, it gives me goose bumps. I just can't believe it," Banks admitted. "NXT is its own brand. They're just really taking over and I'm so proud to be part of it. Just seeing the growth here and there I saw at the performance center how many potential starts we have in the making. It's just cool that there's NXT on USA, where the whole world can see them now."