Losing Sasha Banks would be a massive hit to the WWE roster

News of a potential Sasha Banks release set the wrestling world on fire.

The news of a possible Sasha Banks release sent shockwaves throughout the professional wrestling industry. Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc was first to report the situation and while it hasn’t been confirmed, the community is running rampant with speculation. Within minutes Banks was already a trending topic on Twitter. As the story further develops one thing is already clear, losing Banks would be a massive hit to the entire WWE roster.

The story to this point has been rehashed multiple times. In May, Banks and Naomi walked out before Monday Night Raw. It was reported this was due to the planned booking that involved the two women losing to the eventual singles champions on both the Monday Night Raw and SmackDown brands. That led to WWE releasing multiple statements on-air and on social media calling the duo “unprofessional,” and pushing the company’s narrative as to what happened.

That strategy caused more fans to rally behind both women. Banks has already been recognized as a generational talent within professional wrestling with a growing value outside of the ring. She’s appeared in hit shows like The Mandalorian, been featured in NCAA Football commercials, and recently spent time with Kevin Hart on his show. Her growth as a superstar continues to prove itself as her moments on television consistently draw some of the highest ratings for WWE content.

Yet, fans never believed Banks was utilized in the same fashion as other members of The Four Horsewomen, or even Alexa Bliss or Ronda Rousey. Debates around that point will swirl, but the numbers support that stance.

Releasing Sasha Banks would have massive implications for the roster

The biggest gap would be that with Banks gone and Naomi indefinitely suspended, that would leave one Black woman on the WWE main roster between both SmackDown and Raw. Not too long ago, WWE was being praised for building a diverse set of champions and superstars, but that has suddenly flipped as the show has gone back to featuring more of the same performers. This is especially true when it comes to the booking of the women’s division. Kayden Carter and Lash Legend would be the only Black women on WWE NXT.

The lack of superstar talent on the roster would be even more prevalent without Banks. WWE is already dealing with Roman Reigns’ schedule situation and removing a top star like Banks does not help the matter. With Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton injured, it’s difficult to point to the performers on the roster that would immediately draw eyeballs, especially from the multiple demographics that Banks touches.

Third, it will be interesting to see how this decision impacts morale among the women on the roster. One narrative developing from the entire walkout situation is that Banks and Naomi were standing up for the lack of direction for women’s wrestling in the WWE. The two women haven’t stated that specifically, but fans and media personalities have speculated as such.

The booking within the women’s division has taken a dramatic shift, especially since the return of John Laurinaitis, which was met with concern when he returned as the Head of Talent Relations in 2021. His name is involved in perhaps the biggest story to hit WWE in 30 years, but it goes without saying that his return and the shift in direction has impacted the women’s roster. Losing a big star like Banks, suddenly, coupled with her treatment on the way out would further cause concern for those within the locker room.

There are few stars like Sasha Banks in professional wrestling. It has been quite the ride seeing a young Black woman rise to her level of stardom in the industry. As fans and media members wait anxiously about whether her time with the company is over, it’s clear that she’s had an impact that few, if any, of this generation could replicate.