WWE: Sasha Banks Return, Lars Sullivan Update, India TV Deal, NXT Post-WrestleMania Taping

Sasha Banks Makes Her SmackDown Return from Injury

As noted before, Sasha Banks had been out of action for WWE since suffering an undisclosed injury earlier this year.

Prior to the start of Bayley’s match against Naomi on last night’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Banks made her surprise return to the SmackDown brand.

This is BOSSton now.

Welcome back, @SashaBanksWWE!!! 💰💰💰💰#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6R4uYlg54X

— WWE (@WWE) February 29, 2020

Following the match’s disqualification, Banks and Bayley teamed up in a losing effort against Naomi and Lacey Evans.

Lars Sullivan Injury and WWE Status Update

As noted before, Lars Sullivan has been out of action for WWE since suffering a knee injury in June of last year. Besides injury issues, Sullivan was involved in several past controversial incidents which came to light within the past year. The most recent involving him performing gay pornographic acting earlier in his life.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Sullivan is currently expected to be making his return from injury soon but the future of his career in the company is currently in doubt.

Meltzer reported that Sullivan’s name has not been mentioned in recent months for potential return plans and its is currently not known if Vince McMahon is willing to bring back or still be supportive of big plans for Sullivan due to his series of out-of-the ring controversies.

WWE Expected to Announce New India Television Deal Soon

WWE reportedly is expected to make an official announcement regarding the signing of a new television deal in India soon, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s issue that the current belief is that a new television deal for India either has been finalized or is very close to being signed. Meltzer reported that WWE’s television deal in India expired at the end of last year and remained on television in the country under the terms of the old deal.

Meltzer also reported that this new television deal is currently estimated to be worth around $60-$61 million per year, which is higher than their previous deal of $34 million but significantly less than the $125 million that analysts had been expecting for the company.

NXT Announces Tuesday Date for Post-WrestleMania 36 Taping

NXT’s ticket website recently listed a new taping at Full Sail that will be taking place on April 7th, which is on a Tuesday and two days after WrestleMania 36.

Tickets for this taping was announced to be going on sale starting on March 2nd. Details regarding the taping itself nor its airing status on USA Network are currently not known.

FULL SAIL ON A TUESDAY! pic.twitter.com/TkogyCNSUs

— Kyle (@FLWrestlingFan) February 28, 2020