Dear WWE Creative: Sasha Banks’ Moment Was Our Moment, Too

WWE Creative got it right this week.

Dear WWE Creative Team,

Amidst a global pandemic, economic downturn, uncertainty during a presidential election, left-wing tweets, right-wing retorts; well, let’s just say it was nice to settle in on the couch with my kiddos, grab some Halloween candy, and forget about all the strife in the world last night. 

I was pleasantly surprised to see that SmackDown chose to open up with the Bayley versus Sasha Banks, and this match was more than just a championship rematch against rivals; it was about redemption, closing another chapter in the Banks-Bayley story, but also finally offering closure around an unchecked milestone that has been hanging over The Boss’ character for too long. 

Rewinding a bit, Banks and Bayley have had a flawless feud this year, actually, overall, they’ve been 2020 WWE MVPs.

The WWE Universe had been thirsting at the mouth for The Boss versus Role Model since the company failed to produce a bonafide rivalry with these two back in 2018. Back then, it was too start-stop; this year their story has been told perfectly (during an imperfect year) and rolled at an incredible pace. Banks defeating Bayley at Hell in a Cell was the icing on her babyface turn. The goal for Sasha was to beat Bayley, revenge for her BFF’s betrayal; however, the Women’s SmackDown Championship was a nice added trophy of accomplishment.

Still lingering in the shadows was Banks’ long history of becoming a singles champion, but never successfully defending said championship. Some may say it’s the asterisk that hangs next to her name every time anyone mentions that she’s a (now) six-time WWE women’s champion. A champion on paper, but not in practice, and as a huge fan of Banks, I would consistently get annoyed and frustrated around the reasoning behind giving Sasha a title, only to have her unsuccessfully defend it … what was the point?

She played hot potato with the RAW women’s championship back in 2016 with Charlotte Flair, and while the feud was epic, and both superstars shattered women’s wrestling milestones and trailblazed for females that would follow them, the one major beef I had with the feud was the fact that Banks did not successfully defend her championship reign against Charlotte – ever!

Fast-forward to the summer of 2017 when Banks defeated Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam that year, and Sasha’s “inability to successfully retain a major- singles title” storyline, resurfaced. Why bring this up, if Banks would ultimately fail again, which is exactly what happened eight days later on RAW when Bliss retained the gold. 

This left Banks looking defeated, and her fanbase feeling defeated.

Alas, good things come to those who wait. It can be positioned as a cliché or a true life lesson, but last night’s redemption for both Banks and her fans was sweet.

Once again, Banks and Bayley told an incredible story in that ring and both women – as they always do – gave it their all. It could’ve closed the show; however, by opening it, the bout set a strong tone for the rest of SmackDown, and there is something to be said about going big and the impact of a well-layout opening that can help rev fans up for the rest of the two hours.

The cherry on top of the entire segment? Carmella’s return. Some fans may not agree with me, but I love those sneak attacks partnered with a comeback when a babyface is celebrating a major triumph. Exit Bayley, enter the newly ramped Carmella character. Those final moments on that ramp between the champ and potentially new challenges offered up some massive momentum for Carmella, and babyface Banks.

One story ends, a new one begins.

Well done, WWE Creative.

Signed,

Me.