As noted before, Sasha Banks and Naomi have been absent from WWE since this past May due to their current suspensions over a walk out incident during a WWE RAW show in Norfolk, Virginia. Naomi’s contract with the company was set to expire this past summer but is currently believed to have been frozen.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Naomi is currently set to travel to Japan ahead of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 17 event this Wednesday. Those spoken to within NJPW reportedly would not confirm if Naomi will be making an appearance on NJPW’s upcoming event but implied that she was traveling on her own accord.
Banks, real name Mercedes Varnado, is currently set to make an appearance at NJPW’s event but her involvement is currently not known.
Johnson speculated that the reason for Naomi’s trip might simply just be her traveling to join Banks at the event to support her but not in a public display.
In regards to WWE, Johnson reported that both Banks and Naomi’s names have not been listed on internal roster lists for some time but both are still listed as active members on WWE’s official roster page on their website.

Michael Cole on Struggle of Following Jim Ross’ Commentary Style in WWE & Dealing with Family Medical Crisis Early Into His WWE Career
AEW Collision Notes: Jeff Jarrett Appears, Matt Sydal Competes in First AEW Match In Almost Two Years, Nick Wayne & El Clon Qualifies for AEW International Title #1 Contender Ladder Match, The Lethal Twist vs. The Conglomeration for AEW World Trios Titles Set for Redemption
Nick Aldis on Injury Rumor Causing Him To Be GM Instead of Wrestler in WWE, His Concerns Ahead of His Match with Gunther at WWE SummerSlam 2026, His Belief WWE Will Document His Career Before SummerSlam Match, & WrestleMania 41 Match with Randy Orton Was Never Discussed with Him




