WWE's big charge before the Royal Rumble was vital for Sasha Banks and SmackDown.
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On Friday’s edition of SmackDown, Sasha Banks made her comeback to WWE television. To begin the event, the ‘Legit Boss’ pushed Charlotte Flair over the top rope during a multi-woman battle.
She then announced that she would be competing in the Royal Rumble on Saturday night. Sasha’s return elicited raucous applause from the live audience, who were overjoyed to see her.
It seems likely that WWE may be planning a Banks vs. Charlotte match for WrestleMania 38. Or, at the very least, that creative is interested in Sasha contending for the SmackDown Women’s Championship after the pay-per-view this weekend.
THE BOSS IS BACK!!!#SmackDown @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/kCY08BH8mZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2022
It is also possible WWE will promote that match in Saudi Arabia as the main event.
It’s worth mentioning that on Friday night, Banks was playing a babyface. She’d previously alternated between being a heel and a face until forming an alliance with Toni Storm.
Before her injury at a house show, that was the last time fans saw Sasha on TV.
And now Banks has quickly risen to the top of the betting odds for Saturday’s female Rumble. She’s right in the mix with Lita, Charlotte, and prospective return queen Ronda Rousey, who are all among the favourites to win right now.
Banks made her return to WWE TV on tonight’s SmackDown and revealed her participation in Saturday night’s 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match, as previously stated.
During a session that also included SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Shayna Baszler, Aliyah, Natalya, and Shotzi, “The Boss” reappeared.
Banks later took to Twitter to explain why she doesn’t need to be modest heading into the Rumble.
Need my star to shine brighter
My name to bring it all higher.
When you a boss you can’t be humble.
IM BACK READY TO RUMBLE. #RoyalRumble https://t.co/r9Nngqj8lH— Mercedes Varnado (@SashaBanksWWE) January 29, 2022
Banks was set to miss 6-8 weeks due to a foot injury she sustained earlier this month during a WWE live event in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
But she looks to have been cleared for a return to the ring ahead of schedule. And that is excellent news for the WWE fans and the creative team.
As things stand, there are only 7 slots available in the 30-woman Royal Rumble Match after Friday’s broadcast. It remains to be seen which stars will take up those slots.
READ MORE: WWE SmackDown recap and reactions: The Royal Rumble Go-home show
