WWE NXT: Ranking the 10 best wrestlers in the Black and Gold brand’s history

4. Sasha Banks

If we’re purely talking about character work, there is nobody better than Sasha Banks. It’s not even close. Banks’ “Boss” persona in NXT, cultivated by Summer Rae during their “BFFs” partnership, is the greatest character in the Black and Gold brand’s history. It is responsible for helping Banks becoming one of the biggest stars in the company, and it served as the backdrop for her recent heel run as the “Blueprint”.

Banks’ heel work was uniquely great for two reasons. Like Shayna Baszler, her heel work was unselfish and helped Bayley become one of the greatest babyfaces in recent WWE history. But like Adam Cole, her heel work was so damn good that fans couldn’t help but admire her and buy her merchandise.

The Boss Stamp. Making Izzy cry. Putting on two of the greatest matches in NXT history. Getting Becky Lynch, the future biggest star in wrestling, over with one incredible technical bout. Sasha Banks’ list of accomplishments in NXT is the envy of most wrestlers who have come through the brand. And there are so many great wrestlers who have claimed NXT as their home.

Aside from the singles matches with Becky and Bayley, Banks had two strong efforts with her future great Raw rival Charlotte Flair, and her crowning Fatal Four-Way victory was another special moment in NXT history.

Better yet, her story in NXT isn’t completley closed. Her sensational main event match with Io Shirai, which felt like the one of the biggest wrestling matches of the year going into it, at NXT Great American Bash was a reminder that Banks is still a major asset to the brand.