Sasha Banks left WWE in 2023 and is now a free agent pursuing acting and other entertainment projects

Sasha Banks, whose real name is Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, departed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in November 2023 after a contract dispute. She is no longer under contract with WWE or any major wrestling promotion. Since leaving, she has focused on acting roles, appearing in films and television, and has made selective wrestling appearances outside WWE, including matches in other promotions and at independent events.

Her departure marked the end of a nearly decade-long tenure with WWE, during which she held multiple championship titles and became one of the company's most recognizable female wrestlers. The split was public and contentious, with Banks citing creative differences and contract disagreements as reasons for her exit.

Key Takeaways

  • Sasha Banks left WWE in November 2023 and is currently a free agent without a long-term wrestling contract.
  • She has shifted focus toward acting and entertainment projects outside of professional wrestling.
  • Banks has made occasional wrestling appearances at independent events and other promotions since her WWE departure.
  • Her exit from WWE followed a public dispute over contract terms and creative control of her character.
  • She has stated she is open to wrestling again in the future, but only under terms that meet her requirements for compensation and creative input.

Her Acting and Entertainment Career Since Leaving WWE

After leaving WWE, Banks pursued acting opportunities more seriously than she had during her wrestling career. She has appeared in television shows and films, building a career outside wrestling. Her acting work includes roles in streaming series and other entertainment projects, though she has been selective about which roles she takes on.

Banks has also maintained a presence on social media and through interviews, discussing her career transition and her reasons for leaving WWE. She has been open about wanting more creative control and the opportunity to work on projects that interested her beyond wrestling storylines. This shift reflects a deliberate choice to diversify her career rather than remain solely focused on professional wrestling.

The move to acting has allowed Banks to explore different types of performance work and build a presence in entertainment outside the wrestling industry. She has spoken in interviews about the satisfaction of taking on roles that challenge her as a performer in new ways.

Wrestling Appearances After WWE

Though Banks is no longer a full-time wrestler, she has made occasional wrestling appearances. These have included matches at independent wrestling events and appearances at wrestling promotions outside of WWE. However, these are not regular commitments, and she has not signed a long-term deal with any wrestling organization.

Her wrestling appearances since 2023 have been sporadic and often announced with short notice. This reflects her current status as a free agent who chooses specific opportunities rather than maintaining an active wrestling schedule. The selective nature of her bookings suggests she is testing the waters rather than committing to a new wrestling home.

Banks has indicated that she remains interested in wrestling but wants to do so on her own terms, with control over her schedule and creative direction. This approach differs significantly from the full-time commitment wrestling promotions typically expect from their contracted performers.

The Circumstances of Her WWE Departure

Banks's exit from WWE was not a planned retirement or mutual agreement. In 2023, she and WWE could not reach terms on a new contract. Banks had requested changes to her contract that WWE did not accept, leading to her departure. The disagreement was made public through statements from both Banks and WWE.

Prior to her final departure, Banks had already taken time away from WWE programming in 2022 due to similar contract disputes. Her 2023 exit was the final break after those earlier tensions remained unresolved. The pattern of disputes suggests fundamental disagreements about how Banks should be used and compensated.

The public nature of the split meant that fans and media outlets followed the situation closely. Banks was vocal about her perspective on the disagreement, and WWE also released statements regarding the contract negotiations.

Her Previous WWE Career and Achievements

Before leaving, Banks spent nearly ten years with WWE and became one of the company's most decorated female wrestlers. She held the Raw Women's Championship, SmackDown Women's Championship, and multiple tag team titles. She was also a key figure in WWE's women's evolution, helping to main-event major shows and headline pay-per-view events.

Banks was known for her technical wrestling ability, character work, and high-profile matches. Her feuds and matches with wrestlers like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and others became some of WWE's most-watched women's segments during her tenure. She was instrumental in elevating women's wrestling within the company and drew significant audience interest throughout her career.

What Banks Has Said About Her Future

In interviews since leaving WWE, Banks has indicated that she is open to wrestling again but on her own terms. She has not ruled out returning to WWE or signing with another major wrestling promotion, but she has made clear that any future wrestling work would need to meet her requirements for creative control and compensation.

She has also emphasized her interest in acting and entertainment work beyond wrestling. Banks has spoken about wanting to build a career that extends past professional wrestling and includes opportunities in film and television. Her statements suggest she views her current period as a transition rather than a permanent retirement from wrestling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sasha Banks still wrestling?

Sasha Banks is not an active full-time wrestler. She makes occasional wrestling appearances at independent events and other promotions, but she does not have a regular wrestling schedule or long-term contract with any promotion.

Will Sasha Banks return to WWE?

Banks has not ruled out a WWE return, but she has stated that any return would require WWE to meet her contract demands. As of now, no return has been announced, and the circumstances of her departure suggest significant disagreements remain unresolved.

What is Sasha Banks doing now?

Banks is pursuing acting and entertainment projects outside of wrestling. She has appeared in television shows and films and has been selective about her professional commitments since leaving WWE in late 2023.

Why did Sasha Banks leave WWE?

Banks left WWE due to contract disputes. She requested changes to her contract terms that WWE did not accept, leading to her departure in November 2023. She cited creative differences and contract disagreements as reasons for the split.

Has Sasha Banks wrestled since leaving WWE?

Yes, Banks has made occasional wrestling appearances at independent events and other promotions since her WWE departure, though these are sporadic rather than regular bookings. She has not committed to any full-time wrestling position.