WWE has released an official statement to criticise Sasha Banks and Naomi for withdrawing from the RAW main event on Monday night.

The two superstars, who currently hold the WWE women's tag team belts, had been scheduled to compete in a six-pack challenge at the end of the weekly show.

However, speculation emerged on social media that the pair had left the building after a creative dispute with owner Vince McMahon and the writing team.

The walkout was acknowledged on the live broadcast when an announcement was made regarding changes to the planned match, and WWE has followed that up by giving their take on the events which transpired backstage.

A statement read: "When Sasha Banks and Naomi arrived at the arena this afternoon, they were informed of their participation in the main event of tonight's Monday Night Raw.

"During the broadcast, they walked into WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis office with their suitcases in hand, placed their tag team championship belts on his desk and walked out.

"They claimed they weren't respected enough as tag team champions. And even though they had eight hours to rehearse and construct their match, they claimed they were uncomfortable in the ring with two of their opponents even though they'd had matches with those individuals in the past with no consequence. Monday Night Raw is a scripted live TV show, whose characters are expected to perform the requirements of their contract.

"We regret we were unable to deliver, as advertised, tonight's main event."

Banks, a former RAW champion, and Naomi, a previous holder of the Smackdown belt, have been tag-team champions since last month's WrestleMania 38. body check tags ::