How WWE Robbed Sasha Banks of Her True Potential

Sasha Banks, now known as Mercedes Moné, has left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. As one of the most talented and charismatic performers of her generation, she has created unforgettable moments in WWE history. However, her career in WWE was also filled with missed opportunities and questionable booking decisions that left fans—and even Mercedes herself—wondering what could have been.

Here’s a look at the many times Sasha Banks was seemingly robbed in WWE.

Short Reigns and Title Mismanagement

Mercedes Moné made history as a multiple-time Raw Women’s Champion, but her reigns were notoriously short-lived. She never successfully defended the Raw Women’s Championship during her WWE tenure, a fact that deeply affected her confidence.

In 2017, Mercedes openly voiced her frustration during an interview, admitting that the constant pattern of losing the championship after such short reigns took a toll on her. Each of her reigns lasted no more than a month, turning what should have been career highlights into painful reminders of WWE’s inconsistent booking.

The SummerSlam 2017 Debacle

Perhaps one of the most egregious examples came at SummerSlam 2017. Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss to win the Raw Women’s Championship in a hard-fought match, only to lose it back to Bliss just seven days later. Fans were baffled, as Sasha’s victory should have been the start of a dominant reign. Instead, it added to the trend of fleeting title runs that failed to cement her as a long-term champion.

The Hometown Heartbreak

Losing a championship is hard enough, but losing it in your hometown? That’s exactly what happened to Sasha Banks when she dropped the Raw Women’s Championship to Charlotte Flair in Boston. The loss not only added to her streak of short reigns but also made it clear that Sasha was not being positioned as a consistent champion.

The Enhancement Talent Era

From late 2017 to early 2019, Sasha Banks was relegated to enhancement talent, losing approximately 80% of her matches. This period saw her being used to elevate other wrestlers rather than advancing her own career, leaving fans frustrated and confused about WWE’s handling of such a marquee talent.

The 2022 Royal Rumble Letdown

Heading into the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, Sasha Banks was a fan favorite to win the match. However, her night ended in shocking fashion when Zelina Vega eliminated her in under ten minutes. For a star of Sasha’s caliber, this early elimination was a glaring misstep, especially as it came at a time when fans were clamoring for her to reestablish her dominance in WWE.

Losing to Becky Lynch After Hiatus

After taking a hiatus, Sasha Banks returned to much fanfare, only to lose to Becky Lynch. While the match was competitive, it was a disappointing outcome for a wrestler who had been positioned as a main event star. This loss further highlighted WWE’s hesitancy to give Sasha a sustained push upon her return.

The WrestleMania Streak of Defeats

WrestleMania is the grandest stage of them all, but for Sasha Banks, it became a stage of heartbreak. She suffered six consecutive losses at WrestleMania, with the most notable being at WrestleMania 32. In this historic triple threat match, the Divas Championship was retired, and the Raw Women’s Championship was introduced. Sasha entered the match with enormous momentum, delivering a spectacular entrance featuring Snoop Dogg and an Eddie Guerrero tribute. Yet, she came up short, with Charlotte Flair walking away as the inaugural Raw Women’s Champion.

A Legacy Beyond WWE’s Booking

Despite these setbacks, Sasha Banks remains a beloved figure in wrestling. Her talent, charisma, and ability to create memorable matches have earned her a devoted fanbase. While her WWE career may have been marked by missed opportunities, Mercedes Moné has since proven that her star power extends far beyond WWE.