The new era in WWE has been born and so has a new Champion. Unless you have lived under a rock, Monday night saw the second woman crowned WWE Women’s Champion. That woman is Sasha Banks, and WWE made the right move on this one.
For so long, fans chanted and pleaded for Banks since her debut over a year ago to kickstart the Divas Revolution angle. Since the Revolution, Banks’ star continued to shine bright despite the roadblocks and shortcomings that came in front of her.
Banks lives, breathes and is personified as a Superstar, and no one else can match her in terms of personality and swagger right now. WWE knows it, and fans know it. The company finally listened and has chosen Banks as its face of the Women’s Division.
With that all being said, there are rumblings of comparisons to that of Trish Stratus. Like Banks, Stratus became the face of the Women’s Division at the tail end of the Attitude Era and through much of the Ruthless Aggression Era once she found her groove. Stratus’ will and desire to get better paid off immensely and fans respect her for that. Both ladies are smart, articulate, and beautiful but will kick your butt on any given day.
The comparisons are quietly coming up but will get louder over time. Stratus herself doesn’t rule out a program with Banks, as stated on the Ring Rust Radio show several weeks back. While that is a dream match itself, it’s WrestleMania worthy and it’s one we don’t have to rule out just yet. It will be up there with John Cena v. The Rock, mark my words if it does happen.
Let’s talk about some similarities the two ladies have, shall we?
7. Fans relate to the ladies
While Banks hasn’t been involved in as many storylines as Stratus has, truth is many fans, especially little girls, relate to both of them. Stratus has been involved in romance angles and controversial angles, but though interviews The Boss doesn’t seem to mind taking her character there if given the chance.
However, fans relate to Banks because of her personality; she’s confident and her swagger and talent speak for itself, very much like Stratus. Every woman wanted to be like Stratus, and the same goes for Banks. From their overall style to personality, fans love confident women who know who they are and make a stand in a world of men.
6. Their feelings towards the business are genuine and heartfelt
When Stratus captured the WWE Women’s Championship from Molly Holly at Unforgiven 2002, she became emotional and professed her love for the moment and the business in general.
The same can be said for Banks, who has been emotional in her matches with Bayley and this past Monday on Raw. Banks has said in countless interviews how much she loves pro wrestling and has always cited her struggles, and her dreams in her journey to get to the top.
Fans appreciate those aspects from the women, which over time WWE had become saturated with talents who only wanted to make a name for themselves only to move on in other fields. It’s refreshing to see women who want to change the game in women’s wrestling, and these two ladies most certainly have done it.
5. Unique move sets
Signature moves become the Superstar just as much as their look and their music. Fans know that they can see The Matrix from Stratus dodging her opponent while Banks will incapacitate her opponent with the Double Knees while trapped between the turnbuckles.
Their finishers are named after them as well, The Stratusfaction and Bank Statement respectfully. Also, both women are able to adapt to their surroundings, becoming flexible with anyone they work with.
4. Head and shoulders above the rest of the division
Banks is four years into her WWE career counting NXT, and already has an extremely impressive resume. Not only does she look good, but her overall package and presentation makes her into the Superstar she is today.
Stratus was the same way. Intergender tag team matches and hardcore matches are just the start for Stratus. In addition, both women are fashionable, and always on top of their game. With the other reasons listed in this blog, those facts put them as the cream of the crop in their eras.
3. Body of work speaks for themselves
As I said, Banks has an impressive resume, and between her and Stratus, their body of work says it all for them. From their beginnings on, both ladies put on impressive matches and had history making rivalries to supplement that.
Banks started in the Independent circuit, but was determined to put a stamp on women’s wrestling. Stratus may not have had the same path, but shared the same determination and those traits were exemplified in their work.
They were not afraid to try different things and put their bodies on the line. Matter of fact Banks was quoted as wanting a Money in the Bank ladder match for the Women Superstars.
2. Dominant rivalries
The Women Superstars of today have been getting props for changing the course of women’s wrestling. Many times, fans will note the iconic feud of Stratus v. Lita when talking about the Women Superstars of today, notably Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch.
Banks’ feud with Bayley could go in that direction, especially now that they get along in story terms. Stratus and Lita were back and forth, best friends to bitter enemies, and back again.
Stratus also had great feuds with Jazz and Mickie James, which were great stories when thinking about Stratus’ career. Banks has great feuds with her fellow Horsewomen under her belt, with one of those feuds transitioning over to the WWE main roster.
1. History Makers
Both women are history makers, and that is a big deal. Stratus and Lita were the first women to main even Raw in 2004, a feat that hasn’t been repeated since. But Banks and company are well on their way to get there in due time.
Stratus also holds the honor of being a seven time WWE Women’s Champion, breaking The Fabulous Moolah’s record of six times. Banks’ match with Bayley at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn was the best Women’s match the WWE has produced.
Also, the women would have a rematch in the main event NXT Takeover: Respect in the first ever Women’s 30 minute Iron Man match, which was massive. Banks is just getting started and perhaps may even surpass Stratus in terms of accomplishments if it keeps up. Meanwhile, I’m just waiting on that dream match. Because honestly, that will be a history maker too. Bank on that.
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