WWE: Dropping the Ball on "The Boss"

From the desk of:  VINCE SR.'s WORST NIGHTMARE

Before you read this article, do me a favor.  Close your eyes and just think back to some of your favorite WWE matches of all time.  Savage Vs. Steamboat, Hogan Vs. Andre, Rock Vs. Austin, HBK Vs. Taker. 9 times out of 10 you’re going to think of two MEN going head to head to see who’s the best.  Now in the old school, archaic way of wrestling booking, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, in the world of 2018, this is no longer acceptable. In the last couple of decades, women have proven that they can do anything that men can do, in some aspects even outperforming men, and that includes professional wrestling.  

When I was a kid in the late 90’s, I remember my parents allowing me to watch Monday Night Raw, but only certain parts of it.  The women segments would usually be the only parts of the show that my parents forbade me to watch. Bra & Panties matches, Evening Gown Matches and Strip Tease Matches used to be the norm.  I’m honestly surprised there wasn’t a Battle Royale at the Spearmint Rhino. Borderline pornography is not what I watched professional wrestling for. I watch professional wrestling for the athleticism, entertainment and the spectacle, not the possible nudity.  I grew up expecting the women’s matches to be the designated bathroom breaks of any given show. To my pleasant surprise, over the last couple years, the WWE has made a conscious effort to not only make women an integral part of the show but easily some of the best parts of the show.

From Chyna and Alundra Blayze, to Lita and Trish, to Mickie James and Victoria, women’s wrestling has been on a steady incline.  One of the main contributing factors of this is the efforts of the Triple H/Stephanie McMahon connection. Going the opposite way of her sexist father, Stephanie McMahon has pushed women wrestling to the forefront.  This so called “Women’s Evolution” (one of WWE’s favorite buzz words) is led by the many talented women on the roster. At the forefront are the so called Four Horsewomen of NXT: Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bayley and of course Sasha Banks.  Now don’t get me wrong all these women are insanely talented but Sasha Banks may be the most naturally talented women on the roster.

Charlotte Flair is easily the most athletic, Becky the most technically gifted and Bayley can connect with the audience in a way that few can.  I’m sort of a Sasha Banks mark but that doesn't change the fact that she has something more than the others. More than just a cocky wrestling version of Nicki Minaj, Sasha has that “It” factor that Vince McMahon loves to see in his Superstars.  Her Heel work in NXT was some of the best of any Superstar to come out of developmental. Her TakeOver matches against Bayley are easily some of the best matches in not only NXT history but WWE history. Sasha’s in-ring work speaks for itself and her promo ability and charisma is second to none.

The one glaring problem with Sasha right now is her presentation.  Don’t get me wrong, her win loss streak is solid and she’s consistently featured on Raw.  The big thing is that she is not presented as the top woman on the show which is exactly what she should be.  I enjoy Alexa Bliss’s work as champ and I think she’s done well carrying the brand but it’s time for Sasha to step back into the main spotlight.  Last year Sasha was main eventing pay per views against Charlotte. Now she’s shoehorned into constant multi women tag matches with no payoff.

Currently Sasha’s engaged in a storyline with her best friend Bayley.  The two of them have their issues going back to Sasha’s constant betrayals of Bayley over the last couple months.  If Sasha would fully turn heel on Bayley, they could have the opportunity to put on the best matches on Raw and tell a great story over the course of several ppv’s like they did in NXT.  Now that might happen down the line but for right now it looks like both women are being crammed into the Women’s Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. Their storyline should come to a head during the match and hopefully lead to some exciting singles matches between the two.  

If WWE doesn’t finally pull the trigger on the Sasha heel turn and give us the big Sasha vs. Bayley rivalry, Sasha’s path is clear: a move to Smackdown.  The Boss herself has stated she would have preferred to have been drafted to Smackdown over Raw. Aside from a big program with Bayley, Sasha has done everything she can on Raw.  Sasha can move to Smackdown and be the top heel of the women’s division over there. Fresh matches against her fellow Horsewoman Becky Lynch or her former Team B.A.D. member Naomi.  Sasha has shown that anytime she steps in the ring with Asuka it can be a phenomenal match. With Asuka poised to win the title from Charlotte at Wrestlemania and move over to Smackdown, a feud between her and Sasha can be the premiere program on the “B-Show.”

Whatever the company chooses to do with Sasha next, it has to be big.  She’s easily one of the most talented Superstars on the roster and she has the backing of future king, Triple H.  Sasha could have a big 2018 that could easily eclipse what she did last year. If anyone remembers, last year Sasha beat Charlotte for the strap 3 times of the course of an insane series of matches.  Only problem she dropped the title in her first title defense...EVERY TIME. Something like that cannot happen again. 2018 has to be the year of The Boss and she has to be allowed to thrive in the top spot the way we all know she can.

Michael III