Sasha Banks is back in the title picture as she beat Nia Jax on this week’s episode of RAW in order to become the new #1 contender to RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey. Now, Rousey and Banks will have a showdown at the upcoming Royal Rumble PPV event.
WWE’s YouTube channel released this video of WWE NXT interviewer Alicia Taylor talking with Banks where she stated that, “I don’t plan on being prepared because I’m always ready.” She stated that she was born ready and to do this where she is going to prove to Rousey that she’s the best in the world.
AJ Styles Makes Royal Rumble Promise
AJ Styles is slated to get his rematch for the WWE Title against Daniel Bryan at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event on Sunday, January 27, 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona at Chase Field. The former WWE Champion took to his official Twitter account where he sent out this promise about this match. He wrote the following:
“I’m the man I’ve always been. The performer I’ve always promised to be. I represent the power of this sport and industry and I’m taking back its greatest prize. #RoyalRumble.”
I’m the man I’ve always been. The performer I’ve always promised to be. I represent the power of this sport and industry and I’m taking back its greatest prize. #RoyalRumble
WWE has dispatched a lot of their talent to do mainstream media in advance of Sunday’s WWE Evolution show.
The Bellas appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, their second appearance on the show in recent months.
Sasha Banks also appeared as a guest on Friday’s episode of the syndicated talk show, The Real. The Boss appeared on the Conversations With Maria Menounos podcast and spoke about the possibility of WWE Women’s Tag Team titles being introduced at Evolution.
Nikki, Brie, and Ronda Rousey were originally slated for Friday’s edition of Megyn Kelly Today. That appearance was cancelled when NBC made the decision to air a rerun of Kelly’s show. Later reports indicate that Kelly’s show has been cancelled.
Additionally, WWE has announced three roundtable discussions that will air on the WWE Now livestream on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
On Saturday at noon, Cathy Kelley will host a panel discussion featuring Toni Storm, Sasha Banks, and Trish Stratus. The selling point for the discussion is “Then, Now, Forever”, with Stratus representing WWE’s history, Banks the present, and Storm the future.
A second panel will be streamed at 2 PM Eastern on Saturday, featuring three women who will challenge for singles titles at Evolution, Shayna Bayzler, Charlotte Flair, and Nikki Bella.
The third discussion will take place Sunday at 3 PM Eastern. Kelley will discuss the Evolution event with WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.
Are you excited for WWE Evolution? Make some noise in the comments section.
During a newsworthy discussion on the Conversations With Maria Menounos podcast, Sasha Banks spoke candidly about Roman Reigns’ announcement that he is once again battling leukemia. The Boss had high praise for Reigns and admitted the news
“He’s very special. I’m still shaken by that news,” Banks said. “Everyone found out in front of the whole world. No one backstage knew.” She continued. “He is the strongest, most amazing man I’ve ever met. He’s just taught me so much since I’ve been on Raw.”
Sasha also echoed the sentiment expressed universally across the wrestling world this week. “I pray for him. I know he’s going to get through this because he is so strong. To know that he’s been battling this and didn’t tell a soul… He is legit. He is a leader. Everyone looks up to him. There’s no bad word that anybody could say about him, because he is the hardest working person I have ever met, and I wish him all the best.”
In addition to her interview on Conversations, Banks will also appear as a guest on Friday’s episode of the syndicated talk show The Real.
What do you think of Sasha Banks’ comments on Roman Reigns?
WWE Evolution is this weekend, and with it comes speculation about the long-rumored WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Sasha Banks are among the women who have discussed the possibility of adding tag titles to the women’s division of late.
In her interview with Maria Menounos this week, Banks again spoke on the issue. “We have so many great teams right now. We have the IIconics, Mickie and Fox, Absolution. We have tag matches on Raw every single week. So why not make the titles or belts to defend them?”
The timing of Sasha’s remarks (and other factors cited below) indicate that we might be on the verge of another historic moment for WWE’s female competitors.
Do The Belts Exist?
There has been speculation for months about the addition of tag titles. A reliable source, famed wrestling title belt collector and custom belt maker BeltFanDan, stated that the belts representing the championships were manufactured and ready to go as far back as July.
The new WWE Women's Tag Team Championship belts are done. White straps. Part of Stephanie's announcement on Raw.
Although the belts were not introduced when Dan had originally claimed, he is well-connected and has a proven track record of accurate reporting on championship belts.
That “Leaked Evolution Booking Sheet”
While its authenticity is still in question, the “leaked WWE Evolution booking sheet” that was circulating online a few months ago featured the announcement of WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
More Breadcrumbs
Longtime wrestling podcaster The Solomonster (Jason Solomon) retweeted a fan who was present at the Smackdown tapings this week, where it appeared that WWE was passing out these signs to fans. That would certainly suggest that the plans for the titles are already in place, and that the announcement is imminent.
Sasha Banks returned to WWE television last week after missing time due to a previously undisclosed injury. Appearing on Conversations with Maria Menounos on SiriusXM Thursday, The Legit Boss provided details on the injury that caused her to miss time.
“I was having head pain. I couldn’t function, I couldn’t even drive, I couldn’t sleep,” Banks said. “I went to several neurologists and they pretty much told me I might have post-concussion symptoms, so just rest.”
Banks went on to discuss her reaction to the diagnosis.
“It was kind of scary. I wasn’t sure I would even make Evolution. We’ve been having a lot of concussion meetings with WWE, taking care of ourselves and our heads, and I said I’m not okay. I can’t function, I can’t wrestle, I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, so I need to go get checked out,” Banks said.
After making it through her ordeal, Banks is set to appear at WWE Evolution this Sunday, teaming with Natalya and Bayley as they take on the Riott Squad.
“Thank God I’m okay. I’m better, I feel back to normal, and I’m ready for Sunday.”
The full interview will be released on Friday on Maria Menounos’s podcast.
When referencing this transcript, please credit SEScoops.com. This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Are you surprised to hear of the severity of Banks’s injury?
Dean Ambrose turned on Seth Rollins this Monday Night on Raw. It’s the second time a member of the Shield has turned on his brothers, Rollins himself having been the first back in 2014.
Before Monday, however, Rollins took part in an interview with the Daily Express in the UK. When asked what female member of the WWE roster would make a good member of the Shield, Rollins had someone specific in mind.
“The Shield has got a lot of attitude, we got a lot of intensity,” Rollins said. “My gut instinct is Sasha Banks, to be honest. I think she’s got the intangibles.”
Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks WWE Careers Thus Far
Banks was signed to WWE and reported to the Performance Center in 2012, around the same time the Shield was being called up to the main roster. Reigns and Rollins were signed to WWE in 2010 and Ambrose was signed in 2011. They then debuted on the main roster together in 2012.
Banks debuted on NXT programming in late 2012. She wouldn’t be called up to the main roster until 2015, however. This was during the very early stages of the Women’s Revolution on the main roster. At the time, Banks was part of Team B.A.D with Naomi and Tamina.
It looks like news of potential WWE Tag Team Titles could be coming soon. Recently, WWE star Sasha Banks took over WWE’s Instagram story and hosted a Q&A session with fans. One of the questions asked to “The Boss” was how things are going between herself and best-friend Bayley.
Banks responded by saying things between her and “The Hugger” are great, and even teased a run at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles “whenever they announce them.”:
“There’s nothing better than teaming up with my best friend Bayley. We are “The Boss and Hug Connection,” and we’re coming for those Tag Team Titles – whenever they announce them.”
Rumors about a possible WWE Women’s Tag Team division have been swirling around for the past several years. It has been a huge expectation from the professional wrestling community ever since WWE kick-started its Women’s Revolution. With WWE Evolution right around the corner, perhaps an announcement regarding WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles is on its way.
What do you think about Banks teasing a WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles announcement?
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Sasha Banks made her return to WWE television.
As seen on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW in Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center on the USA Network, Banks was at ringside alongside Bayley to support Natalya, who was battling Ruby Riott in a singles match.
She had been off of TV since last month after it was revealed that she is dealing with an undisclosed injury. As a result of this, WWE made the call to have her pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge series. It was reported at the time that Banks was taking time off for what was being described as a “health-related issue.”
Banks has been advertised for Evolution since the event was officially announced and appears to still be planning to work that event. As of this writing, she’s doesn’t have a match announced for this show. It’s always possible that she is either booked a key program before then or is added to the battle royal that will see the winner receive a championship match.
The Evolution pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will air on the WWE Network.
It’s been almost a month since Sasha Banks’ last match, and with WWE being mostly silent about her status, fans are forced to look elsewhere for details on her condition.
However, so far, no other source has been able to provide a detailed report on her injury. We only have info in bits and pieces that have been able to pass through the WWE sources.
The latest of these titbits came from Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet who revealed on Twitter that Banks have been out of action due to a back injury:
Though Satin fails to provide any more details about her. So it’s hard to say how much longer the injury will keep the former Raw Women’s Champion out of action.
Sasha was originally expected to compete in the Mixed Match Challenge as Bobby Lashley’s tag team partner but she missed some weekend Live Events that week and was pulled from the series soon after.
Once her absence became a topic of discussion, WWE released a statement stating that Sasha is being pulled from the Facebook Watch series due to a health-related issue. Mickie James was announced as a replacement for the Boss as Lashley’s partner.
That was the last official word on her condition and the company has been silent about her ever since. As of this writing, there is no confirmation on her status for the upcoming Evolution PPV but we’ll keep you posted.
Sasha Banks appears to be preparing for her in-ring return under the WWE banner.
If you recall, WWE announced last month that the former WWE RAW Women’s Champion had been pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge series after it was revealed that she is dealing with an undisclosed injury. At the time, it was not known if this was a legitimate injury or just part of a storyline. She has stayed off TV since then as well as hasn’t wrestled.
She was supposed to compete with Bobby Lashley as a tag team in the Mixed Match Challenge tournament. Lashley was paired with Mickie James. It was reported at the time that Banks was taking time off for what was being described as a “health-related issue.”
In an update, Banks is currentlybeing advertised for the WWE Live event taking place in Portland, Oregon on October 20th, which will mark her return to in-ring action. Banks is not advertised for any other live events that weekend.
Banks has been advertised for Evolution since the event was officially announced and appears to still be planning to work that event. As of this writing, she’s doesn’t have a match announced for this show.
The Evolution pay-per-view event takes place on Sunday, October 28, 2018 in Long Island, New York at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and will air on the WWE Network.
SmackDown General Manager Paige was the latest guest on Lilian Garcia’s Chasing Glory podcast. She spoke about a wide variety of topics, including former fiancee Alberto El Patron recently trashing her on social media. Here are some highlights from the appearance:
Women’s Evolution
“I’m happy, but, you know, it’s kind of a bittersweet thing,” Paige said, when Lilian noted that her in-ring career ended just as WWE’s heavily branded Women’s Evolution kicked into high gear. “I can’t get back in the ring, but why do I have to dwell on it? Why do I have to be sad constantly?” she added.
Garcia pressed Paige on how difficult it must be to give up her dream career, likening it to an athlete or musician being forced to retire. Paige said that she dealt with the end of her wrestling career by focusing on what she could do next. “Like, I can’t just sit here and be sad,” she said.
Paige’s Neck Injury
She was also quick to deflect any blame that a vocal minority of the fanbase sent Sasha Banks’s way. Banks was in the ring with Paige and delivered the move that ended her career.
“I got the kick. It wasn’t Sasha’s fault. My neck just wasn’t as strong as it was before,” she said. “I’m not gonna hold Sasha accountable for what happened to me.”
She noted that she saw Dr. Joseph Maroon, the noted physician who oversees WWE’s medical program, who also operated on Bruno Sammartino and John Cena when they suffered broken necks. Maroon noted that Paige was fortunate not to be permanently paralyzed, as there was no spinal fluid surrounding the injured area.
She also said that the decision to delay her retirement promo on television was a joint decision, made with WWE. The company wanted to delay the announcement for creative reasons, as well as to make sure that she wouldn’t be cleared medically. Paige said that she also didn’t want word getting out before she could make the announcement herself.
Smackdown GM
Paige said that she loves her new role as Smackdown General Manager. “It’s great. I get to work with the girls, I get to work with the guys. That’s what the challenge is, to be mixed in with everybody,” she said.
Paige And Alberto Del Rio
As the interview wound down, Garcia brought up Alberto Del Rio’s recent social media post, where fans commented on the appearance of the woman he was photographed with, how they thought she was prettier than Paige, and how Del Rio egged them on with his own comments.
Paige gave a measured response, noting that she chose not to lash out with an immediate response. “I chose not to respond at that moment,” she said. “It hurt my feelings, but I didn’t want him to know that it hurt my feelings.”
“You’re making fun of someone who had mental health issues,” she said of Del Rio’s comments. “Who does that? I’m glad that he’s moved on and found someone. I love that. I want his family to be happy,” she said. Finally, Paige said she just wants him to leave her alone.
Paige also announced that she has a new makeup line on the way, and is also releasing a makeup line for Hot Topic, which will launch in January.
Note: If you use these transcribed quotes, please credit SEScoops.com
Trish Stratus vs. Sasha Banks. It’s a match that many fans have been clamoring for since it was first teased in the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble match in January.
I spoke with both Banks and Stratus at personal appearances in August, and both seemed eager to face each other.
Although Stratus is booked for the upcoming WWE Evolution show, the company had a different creative vision, and announced Alexa Bliss as her opponent. Does this mean that Stratus vs. Banks will never happen? Not necessarily.
Both Banks and Stratus are appearing at New York Comic Con on Thursday, and if their social media chatter is any indication, it seems as though there may be a verbal confrontation of some sort between the two.
Stratus is semi-retired, and Banks has not been pushed as a focal point of the women’s division in nearly a year.
Does WWE see Banks as a star at the level of working with a Hall of Famer like Stratus? Where would the match take place? Would the company deem it worthy of the television time needed to build the feud during a WrestleMania season?
The latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio provided a Sasha Banks injury update. After being pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge and this past weekend’s live events, fans were left to speculate on the current status of The Boss. Banks was also notably absent from Raw this week.
Although details remain murky, Dave Meltzer provided more insight. “I don’t have a specific injury. She’s off for medical reasons,” Meltzer said on the Tuesday morning edition of Observer Radio (subscription required).
Meltzer went on to speculate on what the lack of specific details given from those within WWE on the injury might mean.
“Whatever reason, I don’t know why they wouldn’t say. Usually when they don’t say, there’s a story as to why,” he said. “So, you end up getting more suspicious.”
For Banks, this medical issue comes at an inopportune time. With the all-women’s Evolution show scheduled for October 28, Banks would likely be featured on that card, if healthy.
This is notable considering that she has wrestled just once on a pay-per-view event since Wrestlemania 34. Banks is a 4-time Raw Women’s Champion, a record she shares with Charlotte Flair.
Do you think Sasha Banks will be back in time for Evolution?
WWE announced last week that former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Sasha Banks had been pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge series after it was revealed that she is dealing with an undisclosed injury. At the time, it was not known if this was a legitimate injury or just part of a storyline considering that Alexa Bliss was also pulled from the show due to an injury that is real. The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed that Bliss is suffering through numbness in her arm, which is a sign of potential nerve damage.
It appears that Banks has a legitimate injury as she missed this weekend’s RAW live events. There’s no word yet on if this was just a precaution or the extent of her injury. She doesn’t have a match booked for the WWE Super Show-Down pay-per-view event that takes place on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Australia but was expected to wrestle at Evolution prior to the news of her injury being made.
Triple H & Vince McMahon On Stephanie McMahon
On Monday, September 24, 2018, Stephanie McMahon celebrated her 42nd birthday. Triple H and the official Twitter account of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, sent out the following tweets about Stephanie, which you can see here:
Paige recently opened up to the media about what role Sasha Banks played in the final injury she would endure in a WWE ring.
She isn’t blaming Banks for the injury in the least. Paige says she is the one who called for the move and was confident her neck was strong enough to take it.
“Nothing was ever Sasha’s fault,” Paige said to Give Me Sport recently. “She got so much backlash and even in the ring, when we were in there, people are chanting ‘Sasha sucks’ and it really upset me to hear that because it wasn’t her fault.”
Paige on Injury and Sasha Banks
She would continue to say the move she took from Banks is one she’s taken numerous times before.
“That move where she kicks me in the back, I had taken that so many times previously that I was so stubborn and I thought ‘I can still do these kinds of things.'” Paige continued. “I thought my neck was just as strong as it was before, but, unfortunately, it’s not.”
Paige then said after taking the kick to the back she lost feeling in her limbs. While the feeling would return, she was certain her career was over at that point.
Paige says Banks and her have a good relationship and speak often.
“But, I remember just telling Sasha ‘I can’t wrestle anymore’ and she was devastated, she started crying, crying her eyes out. I was like ‘I’m so sorry’, I think it’s just a British thing to apologize! But I was like ‘I’m sorry, it’s not your fault’ and she’s just been so, so supportive. She always texts me like ‘hey, how are you doing, how things going?’ you know, and she’s just always been really great.”
Raw Superstar Sasha Banks has been pulled from the Mixed Match Challenge tournament due to injury. WWE broadcaster Cathy Kelly announced the injury in a video released on Friday afternoon. The details of the injury have not yet been revealed.
Sasha Banks’ replacement in the tournament will be 6-time Women’s Champion Mickie James. The veteran of both WWE and TNA fame will be joining Banks’ partner Bobby Lashley for (likely) the duration of the competition.
Mickie James and Bobby Lashley compete on next week’s episode against Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox (dubbed “Mahalicia”). Also on that episode, Asuka and The Miz will face the team of Carmella and R-Truth.
We will provide an update on Sasha Banks’ condition when we get more information.
Sasha Banks is not the only female Superstar to be pulled from Mixed Match Challenge due to injury. WWE announced earlier this week that Alexa Bliss is injured and will be unable to team up with Braun Strowman. The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed that Alexa Bliss’ injury is legitimate. She is suffering through numbness in her arm, which is a sign of potential nerve damage.
Alexa Bliss has been replaced by Ember Moon. Moon and Strowman defeated Kevin Owens and Natalya on Tuesday’s Season 2 premiere. WWE Champions AJ Styles and Charlotte Flair were also in action against Jimmy Uso and Naomi. Styles and Flair took the win after Charlotte made Naomi tap out.
When former UFC champion Ronda Rousey first arrived in WWE back in January at the Royal Rumble, there were more than a few women on the roster who weren’t exactly excited at the attention she received after a historic match just took place.
The first ever women’s Royal Rumble won by Asuka was suddenly dwarfed by Rousey’s arrival and superstars like Sasha Banks weren’t very happy about the way it all unfolded.
Now eight months later, Rousey is the new RAW women’s champion and it appears opinions about her have changed dramatically now that she’s been part of the locker room for most of 2018.
“When I first found out she was going to come, I was like we don’t need that,” Banks told Peter Rosenberg on “Open Late”. “I don’t need that taking away what we’re doing but she helps so much. She works so hard. She always wants to learn. She loves it and respects it and I appreciate that.
“She works really hard. You can see that in the ring.”
Rousey seems to have won over the entire women’s roster since her arrival and now just about everybody is anxious to share the ring with her at some point.
Banks hasn’t actually had any kind of opportunity to work with Rousey yet, but she believes when it does happen, they will put on a phenomenal match together.
“Any time, I’m ready for her,” Banks said about facing Rousey. “Especially like knowing her now, I’m more than happy to have a match with her. I think she’s awesome.
“I think we can make magic together. I [haven’t got] anything bad to say about her.”
What do you think about a potential Sasha Banks vs. Ronda Rousey match in the future? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Last night WWE presented their biggest event of the summer. As is often the case when the promotion is in the New York area, plenty of celebrities were backstage. Additionally, several wrestling personalities were backstage as well.
Who Was Backstage At Summerslam?
Shane McMahon hasn’t been seen on camera for several months but was backstage last night. Ric Flair was also on hand to witness his daughter, Charlotte Flair, win back the Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Bayley and Sasha Banks were both backstage at Summerslam too. The other 2 members of the 4 Horsewomen of NXT were involved in the Smackdown Women’s Championship match.
David Arquette was everywhere around Summerslam this year and it’s assumed he was backstage at some point as well.
Teddy Hart was backstage. He wrestled for Joey Janela’s Lost in New York on Friday and was likely wrestling somewhere nearby on Saturday or Sunday as well. Additionally, it is being said that both Carmella and Charlotte’s ring-gear yesterday, which were both pink, were worn in honor of Jim Neidhart.
Comedian Jon Stewart was at Summerslam but did not continue his rivalry with Seth Rollins.
PW Insider is also reporting that Stokely Hathaway, a manager from EVOLVE, was also backstage.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion, Chris Weidman, was in attendance. He tweeted out the following:
It appears that WWE is finally ready to pull the trigger on a a 4-on-4 Horsewomen feud. As many fans are aware, Ronda Rousey, Shayna Bayzler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir dubbed themselves the Four Horsewomen of mixed martial arts. WWE has its own unofficial Horsewomen group, comprised of Charlotte, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley.
With all four MMA Horsewomen under contract with WWE, it was just a matter of time before these two factions crossed paths. According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is planning for Ronda Rousey’s Horsewomen to battle the WWE Horsewomen at Survivor Series in November.
The two groups had a confrontation summer at a TV taping for the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament. This was long before Ronda Rousey joined WWE. At the time, WWE planting the seed for a 4-on-4 feud seemed like wishful thinking at best. Much as changed since then.
A month before Survivor Series, WWE presents Evolution, the company’s first all-women’s pay-per-view event. Wrestlers from Raw, SmackDown NXT will participate in the historic show. This seems like a natural setting to jumpstart the hype to Survivor Series, but we’ll have to wait and see about that.
WWE Survivor Series takes place on Sunday, November 18th from Los Angeles, California at the STAPLES Center.
What do you think about a Horsewomen showdown at Survivor Series?
The television schedule for the WWE NXT brand continues to come to light as WWE has already announced that they will hold TV tapings on Wednesday, October 17, which will see tickets go on sale Friday, August 24 in Winter Park Florida at Full Sail University, and on Thursday, August 23. The latest set of tapings will take place on September 20th with tickets going on sale this Friday at 10am EST.
Sasha Banks Teases New WWE Titles
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Sasha Banks is in favor of the WWE introducing new Women’s Tag Team Titles and continues to tease the introduction of them if WWE decides to create the belts as she posted the following photo on her official Instagram account alongside Bayley as she stated that they are ready to dominate the division:
“The Boss n Hug Connection is ready to dominate the women’s tag team division @craigambrosio #didisaydat #sayitoutloud #evolution.”
What are your thoughts on WWE potentially introducing these titles? Is this something that you want to see? Is it a move that WWE should make? Sound off in the comment section.
Sasha Banks will always list Eddie Guerrero as one of her biggest influences. She was interviewed by Sky Sports earlier this year and spoke about how Eddie made her want to be a pro-wrestler.
“I knew right when I saw him that I wanted to do exactly what he did,” Banks said. “My whole life I’ve been like ‘watch Eddie, watch Eddie, watch Eddie’ and I wanted to be just like him.”
“He inspired me and I want to inspire people in the same way that he inspired me,” she continued. “I want little girls to feel how Eddie made me feel when I watched wrestling.”
Recently WWE.com asked Banks what match made her want to be like Eddie Guerrero.
Eddie Guerrero vs Rey Mysterio – WrestleMania 21
When Eddie Guerro met Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 21 there were no titles on the line. It was just two of the top wrestlers in the world wrestling against each other. The two were co-holders of the WWE tag-team championships at the time. Sadly, Guerrero would pass away due to heart failure just seven months after wrestling Mysterio at WrestleMania 21.
The year before, Eddie Guerrero retained the WWE Championship against Kurt Angle. Guerrero had defeated Brock Lesnar for the championship at the No Way Out pay-per-view.
Sasha Banks and Women’s Tag-Team Division
Banks recently referenced a possible women’s tag-team division in her latest Instagram post:
In a video posted on Instagram this afternoon, Raw General Manager Kurt Angle announced two more matches for Raw tomorrow night in Jacksonville, Florida.
https://instagram.com/p/BmGnKyrAvj1/
In a rematch from last week, Sasha Banks and Bayley will take on The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan). Banks and Bayley scored the win after putting Morgan down with a combination of a Backstabber into a Bayley-to-Belly.
After picking up a win over “Woken” Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt on Raw last week, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder said they’re the best team on the planet. The Revival will take on Raw Tag Team Champions The B-Team tomorrow night on Raw.
Two other matches have already been announced for Raw tomorrow night. Ronda Rousey will go one-on-one with Alicia Fox as she competes on Raw for the first time ever, and Bobby Roode takes on Mojo Rawley.
Rousey and Bayley’s banter is in reference to a simmering rivalry between WWE’s Four Horsewomen (Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Sasha Banks) and the Four Horsewomen of MMA (Rousey Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke). Both groups had a confrontation behind the scenes at the Mae Young Classic last year (sans Sasha, who was doing a media tour in Australia), but WWE didn’t follow up on it.
– On Saturday, it was exactly 21 years ago Lex Luger beat Hollywood Hogan on WCW Monday Nitro, making “The Total Package” the first WCW competitor to defeat the nWo’s leader for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.
Sasha Banks was sporting a new tattoo on her left forearm for her appearance on Monday’s WWE Raw.
The former Raw women’s champion appeared on the stage with the WWE Roster for Stephanie McMahon’s historic announcement of the upcoming WWE Evolution all-women’s pay-per-view. Later in the show she teamed up with Bayley against ‘local competitors’ Samantha Simon & Karen Lundy.
It’s unclear exactly what Sasha Banks had tattooed on her forearm, but we had a few readers link us to these photos, which is our clearest look yet at the new ink.
Sasha Banks is not the only WWE Superstar to get a new tattoo lately. WWE SmackDown Live General Manager Paige was recently photographed sporting a huge new tattoo on her torso, which conveniently covers up her previous ‘Alberto’ piece.
We’ll post a clearer shot of Sasha Banks’ new tattoo when we see something.
@SashaBanksWWE is that a real tattoo if so it’s freaking amazing and it’s so pretty but can you tell your fans or no what it stands for and why u got it pic.twitter.com/gcv6U1GsgB
It was announced last week at Raw from General Manager Kurt Angle that if Bayley or Sasha do not get along one could be traded to Smackdown. While the tag team of Bayley and Sasha vs. Dana Brooke and Alica Fox did not “end well” it will be interesting to see if WWE will follow up on the trade angle.
This editorial will look at the pros and cons of trading either Sasha or Bayley to Smackdown and who should Smackdown trade in place of either female superstar.
The Storyline Thus Far…
Bayley and Sasha have been feuding for the better half of 2018. With their recent “counseling” angle costing them two weeks off from wrestling on Raw and even Extreme Rules, one would wonder what is the next step for the feud.
Angle announced to Bayley that either she or Sasha could be traded to Smackdown if they don’t “get along” and their following tag team match proved that they are not on the same page.
The last segment between the two rivals revealed that Sasha “loves” Bayley in a way that might be stronger than friendship. Many rumors are speculating that a lesbian angle between the two might be in the works after this encounter but like every WWE storyline, it’s subject to change last minute.
The Trade To Smackdown
While the lesbian angle would coincide with the current LGBTQ movement, both females are heterosexual and Sasha is married while Bayley is currently engaged with her fiance. I say this as a lot of wrestling fans cannot put the distinction between kayfabe and real life and at this point would seem to be forced just for the sake of it.
If we were to ignore the ambiguous statement from Sasha and continue with the trade angle one would have to consider the pros and cons of either females being traded.
Bayley (Pros):
The move to Smackdown could very well be in Bayley’s favor. During her tenure on Raw, Bayley has fallen from grace and hasn’t been considered a serious contender for the Raw Women’s Championship after her injury from last year.
On Smackdown she could get fans re-invested as she could re-ignite a feud with real best friend Carmella and battle for the title in the remaining months of the year. Bayley could also provide more face power to the Smackdown Women’s division as heels outnumber the faces as of right now.
Lastly, if the feud with Carmella is booked properly, she could be the third women in history to hold both Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Bayley (Cons):
If the trade were to be made it could be helpful for Bayley in the beginning but could be detrimental as well.
Currently, Smackdown is focusing on a possible Women’s title match with Carmella and Becky Lynch, the other storyline had the IIconics and Rose and Devile elevate Becky to the number one contender status.
In the dust, Naomi has not been used for a storyline for many months and Lana is involved with the Rusev Day angle. Long story short, Bayley could be thrown into obscurity if creative has nothing for her on Smackdown if traded.
Sasha Banks (Pros):
Sasha has let the WWE Universe know time after time that she would love to go to Smackdown and emulate her wrestling idol Eddie Guerrero from his time on the blue brand.
On Smackdown, Sasha could bring back the heel persona she portrayed on NXT and rule with an iron fist on the B show. I personally feel they would take more of a chance of turning her heel on Smackdown as it is the B show and Smackdown is known to take more character risk and persona changes than Raw (minus the Emmalina hype).
Other feuds that could happen is Sasha versus Becky Lynch or Sasha versus Naomi, even Sasha versus Asuka or Charlotte could be revisited and be given more time on the blue brand. Her presence on Smackdown could be used to help elevate Mandy Rose and Sonya Devile. God’s Greatest Creation could get use some elevation in order to be taken seriously as a title contender and is numerously quoted as the “next Trish Stratus”.
Sasha (Cons):
If Sasha were to turn heel it would have to be booked right. While we have Carmella as the top Smackdown Women heel, we have the IIconics, Rose, and Devile there as well but have been mainly used for filer matches.
Obscurity could be another issue that Sasha could face if put on Smackdown. Unless she wins the Smackdown title in the upcoming six months she could be in the same barrel as Naomi if she isn’t being used for any storylines if traded.
My opinion on the matter if I was booking this feud? I would move Sasha to Smackdown. Sasha being on Smackdown could be the breath of fresh air that Smackdown might need right now and her turning heel has been hinted for over a year now and could finally happen on the B show. She just needs to be relevant on Smackdown in order for the trade to be worthwhile.
The Smackdown Trade
If either Raw female superstars were to be traded to Smackdown who would take their place?
Charlotte:
The Queen is still recovering from implant repair surgery and a resurgence on Raw could be her ticket back to being on top. While Charlotte has been making history on Smackdown, if she were to return back to Raw she could be pitted against Rousey in a feud that many want to see and could continue elevating the Raw Women’s Championship if she were to win it again.
Becky Lynch:
The Irish Lass Kicker is gearing up to battle Carmella for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. While Lynch has played the underdog on Smackdown for some time, her being traded to Raw makes more sense if Charlotte is not chosen. Her fighting persona could be used for a competition type feud with Rowsey to see who could compete to be number one contender for the Raw Women’s Title.
Naomi:
While Naomi’s second title win at Wrestlemania 33 was hometown moment, anything after that has been forgettable. A presence on Raw could spark a feud with Alexa Bliss and Mickie James and Naomi could be used as a transitional champion until WWE is ready to give Rousey her first title run.
How It Should Be Booked
Raw takes place tonight in Cincinnati, Ohio. It only makes sense to have another segment with Bayley and Sasha (in which the “love” statement could be further elaborated) that could lead to a match that night. From there Kurt could announce a match at SummerSlam between Sasha and Bayley and the stipulation would be that the loser of that match would get traded to Smackdown.
It puts eyes and attention on the fued and makes up for their absence from Extreme Rules. From there it’s up to WWE to see what decision they’ll take in trading who for who. Either way, this shake-up would add interest to WWE programming and not take away from it.
Who Would You Trade If You Were Booking This Storyline? Leave A Comment Below.