Backstage Update On Sasha Banks' WWE Status
The latest on Sasha Banks following her SummerSlam and SmackDown absences.
Sasha Banks has been absent from WWE programming since the 13 August episode of SmackDown and with her absence now breaking the two-week mark, the promotion doesn't expect to have her back for the blue brand's next show either.
This is according to PWinsider's Mike Johnson, who writes that Banks won't be returning this week barring a last-minute change of circumstances.
On a more positive note, the promotion hopes to have her back on the road by 10 September, which is when the Super SmackDown show takes place in Madison Square Garden, New York City.
Banks was pulled from an intended match with then-SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair at SummerSlam 2021 (21 August). This came one week after both she and Belair were removed from a couple of house shows, with WWE citing "unforeseen circumstances" as the reason, though Bianca returned on the following week's SmackDown (20 August). Banks is yet to re-emerge.
The returning Becky Lynch became SmackDown Women's Champion in Banks' absence, defeating Belair in 26 shocking seconds after beating up stand-in challenger Carmella. Lynch vs. Belair II has since been confirmed for Extreme Rules 2021 on 26 September.