How Would Sasha Banks Fit On AEW's Women's Roster?
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For all the highs that AEW has had over the past three years, one of their glaring weaknesses has been the women’s division. It’s not the talent per se that is the issue, with the likes of Britt Baker, Jade Cargill, Thunder Rosa, and Jamie Hayter all being great performers. The problem has been more the booking, where proven names like Ruby Soho and Athena don’t get TV time, and where the women are lucky to get one match per episode of Dynamite.
Lately, however, things seem to be changing. Tony Khan has finally heard the fans clamoring for more. Fan favorite Jamie Hayter was awarded the AEW Interim Women’s Championship at Full Gear. Just as important, Full Gear had three women’s matches in a ten match card. With the division on the way up, what would adding a massive name like Sasha Banks do for her and AEW?
Sasha Banks Going To AEW Would Allow Her To Prove Herself All Over Again
Sasha Banks is without a doubt one of the greatest and most successful women’s wrestlers in WWE history. As part of The Four Horsewomen, Banks was an important part of the women’s revolution in wrestling, but even though she’s a seven time champion, Banks never was quite pushed as the face of the division. That distinction always belonged to Becky Lynch and Charlotte. No matter what Banks accomplished, she lived in their shadow. Whenever she did break away from Lynch and Charlotte, something was still missing. Many of her reigns were short and unimpressive, or when things were going good, an injury or a hiatus would come along. Banks once left for a long while to take care of her mental health, and earlier this year, with creative frustrations mounting, she simply walked away.
AEW would give Banks the chance to start all over. There would be no living in the shadow of others. There would be no Vince McMahon or John Laurinatis holding her back. She would be given a clean slate in AEW, where with its indie style leanings and love for professional wrestling, Banks could fall in love with the sport all over again.
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Sasha Banks In AEW Gives The Company The Big Name They’re Missing
As much as Sasha Banks could use AEW, the fact is that they need her more. AEW is missing marquee names at the moment, especially in the women’s division. Britt Baker is a great star, but she’s been out of the title picture for a while. Jade Cargill is money, but she’s a secondary champion with no competition and unimpressive feuds. Thunder Rosa and Toni Storm are great wrestlers, but their title reigns were a letdown. There’s hope for Jamie Hayter, but Tony Khan has yet to show that he’ll push a woman to be just as important as the men.
There’s no denying Sasha Banks’ star power. She is a name that has grown beyond wrestling, but into pop culture due to her role in The Mandalorian. Unlike a big name such as Saraya who is unfortunately coming off a five-year hiatus and has a lot of ring rust, Sasha Banks is still in her prime and ready to go. There would be no concern as to whether she still had it, when she never lost it. In Banks, you have a star who’s ready to lead not just the women’s division but the entire promotion on day one.
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There’s A Plethora Of Great Feuds Waiting For Sasha Banks In AEW
Sasha Banks has done all there is to possibly do in WWE. She’s been a champion on NXT, Raw, and SmackDown. She’s been a tag team champion. She’s faced the best of the best over and over. AEW, while also being a fresh start for her career, would also be a fresh start from a creative standpoint. Matches with the likes of Britt Baker and Jade Cargill would be huge deals. Just the promo battles alone would be appointment television. It would also serve to elevate both Baker and Cargill and bring them up to Banks’ star level.
The potential for Banks’ best feud might lie in a former foe, Saraya. As Paige in WWE, Banks and Saraya clashed many times. It was in a match with Banks actually where Saraya was injured and forced to retire for five years. When Saraya got the news weeks ago that she was cleared to wrestle again, Banks was the first person she called. There’s a storyline in there about revenge or redemption that could spark a great rivalry.
All the signs point to Sasha Banks returning to WWE, maybe even as soon as Survivor Series. If that happens, the fans will pop huge, and it’ll be fun to see. After that though, Banks just slides back into the familiar. Sasha Banks in AEW, however, would be the best fit for all involved. It’s there where Banks can lead and be the top name, and where AEW can finally give the women’s division the full respect it deserves.
