Sasha Banks always proves to be a draw in professional wrestling

The idea that Sasha Banks has “peaked” is a gross miscalculation in every fashion.

Sasha Banks remains the talk of the professional wrestling industry. In recent days, news has hit the world about her upcoming appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 17 and her contract status with WWE. On Friday, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via Wrestle Purists) provided more insight into the reports, speaking specifically about challengers with the financial side of negotiations between Banks and the WWE.

“WWE directly wouldn’t say anything about her, but those in the company over recent months had said the sides were not close on money,” Meltzer stated. “She was said to be seeking a number along the levels of Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair and those internally have said she wasn’t offered numbers close to that.”

The rest of the statement is even more eyebrow-raising.

“They said that she’s not seen internally as somebody who would be on top for the next five years but is seen as someone who could get a singles or tag team title run but has peaked as a star aside from the reality that was acknowledged that if she would return, there would be a “honeymoon” period where people would go nuts for her.”

Sasha Banks has achieved more than her peers

That’s an exceptional statement to read regarding one of the most popular individuals in the wrestling world. Especially when you look at what Banks has done from a historical standpoint. For example, in November of 2020, a rematch between Banks and Bayley on SmackDown drew more than 2.5 million viewers. After those numbers, Meltzer reported this was the “First time any segment has done that.”

Remember back when WWE NXT was losing week after week to AEW Dynamite? There was a brief change in momentum when NXT had the better rankings. What kicked off that trend? Sasha Banks taking on Io Shirai on the July 1 episode of NXT. That’s another concrete example of Banks being the draw that some may claim she’s not.

Need another example of Banks being a major draw for the WWE? Look no further than the investors’ calls that occur each quarter. During those calls, WWE leadership touts record revenue numbers and other big games from the promotion. They frequently brought up Banks and her accomplishments such as being in the Disney series “The Mandalorian,” or appearing on the YouTube series, “Hot Ones.” Back in May, she was featured on Kevin Hart’s series “Cold as Balls.” Banks’ star power has reached outside platforms that her peers have not seen.

Even when these three ladies are compared against one another in Google Trends, the data shows that Banks is searched at a much higher clip than either Lynch or Flair.

The big problematic nature of this report is that it brings to light another trend that is seen across multiple industries. The idea that a Black woman who has shown consistent success in her field isn’t as valuable as her white peers is a challenge that Black women continue to face. Lola Bakare of Harvard Business Review wrote a piece in September 2022 highlighting the pay gap that Black women face and the gaslighting that comes with it. Such as the idea that Banks’s star presence has “peaked” in ways that her peers would eclipse.

The Sasha Banks watch is the first major story of 2023 and it is not even the new year. As more information comes out, this has the potential to have long-term ramifications both in the ring and behind the scenes.