The Real Reason Naomi Is Still Absent From WWE
New details emerge on Naomi's prolonged WWE absence.
While the former Sasha Banks has reinvented herself as Mercedes Moné and become the IWGP Women's Champion, the Blueprint's former tag team partner Naomi has yet to resurface in the wrestling world after the pair walked out of a WWE Raw back in May of last year.
Many have speculated that, unlike Mercedes, Naomi will indeed be returning to WWE, though the two-time SmackDown Women's Champion has been absent from the market leader's programming for approaching ten months by this point in time.
In an update on this situation, another of Naomi's former tag team partners has seemingly given an insight into what's really keeping the 35-year-old away from WWE right now.
Speaking during a virtual signing event for Golden Ring Collectibles (via eWrestlingNews), Naomi's ex-Funkadactyl teammate Ariane Andrew - known as Cameron during her time with WWE - noted how the star is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.
As Andrew detailed:
"I know she's recovering from shoulder surgery, but I'm super proud of her. That's my sister from another mister, and I think you have to ask her for yourself how she's feeling. See if her shoulder is feeling good, because she's recovering right now."
During this signing event, Ariana also stated how she received a phone call to return to WWE last year, with there a plan in place for her and Naomi to reteam and win the Women's Tag Team Titles.
As of this writing, Naomi has yet to comment on Ariana Andrew's comments or discuss her future, period, be that in the wrestling business or beyond. That said, the former Orlando Magic dancer - along with Bayley - was in attendance for Mercedes Moné's appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 back in January, though she was not featured on camera.
Naomi first signed with WWE back in 2009, initially being assigned to the company's Florida Championship Wrestling developmental territory. The start of 2012 saw her and Cameron move to the main roster as the Funkadactyls, accompanying Brodus Clay to the ring. In the years since then, the real-life Trinity Fatu has been a part of Team B.A.D., has won singles gold on the SmackDown brand, and last year won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships alongside Sasha Banks.
As alluded to, Banks and Naomi left those Tag Team Titles on the desk of John Laurinaitis as they walked out of a May 2022 Raw show due to their unhappiness with the creative plans put forward for them. Reports from earlier in the year detailed how WWE officials expect Naomi to return to the company, though the talent's contractual status is currently unknown.