Sasha Banks is an independent wrestler from Boston. She rose through a lot of promotions before finally gaining a spot in WWE NXT. Likewise, the birth of a Boss occurred when the talented but quiet young woman found her voice. Banks hasn’t looked back since. Nonetheless, she has attracted a lot of press during her striking leap to success as one of Full Sail’s ‘Four Horsewomen’. Presently she is popular in WWE as a SmackDown brand wrestler though, with the ring name Sasha Banks. Moreover, in her first reign, she is the current SmackDown Women’s Champion.
She had previously engaged in professional wrestling on the independent scene, most notably for Chaotic Wrestling. Additionally, she had previously held the women’s championship there. Furthermore, Banks has held five championship reigns between WWE and their developmental brand NXT. She was a former NXT Women’s Champion as well as a record-tying four-time Raw Women’s Champion. Her match with Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect took place on October 7, 2015. Likewise, it was the first women’s match to ever serve as the main event of a prime WWE event. Besides, it was also the first women’s Iron Man match. In addition, at the time, it was the longest women’s match in WWE history at 30 minutes.
If you would like to know more about this popular female athlete, you are most welcome here. Further, we shall be covering the life of Sasha Banks in detail. Scroll over and read along to know more.
Sasha Banks Real Name, Birth and Family
Banks’ birth took place on January 26, 1992 in Fairfield, California. However, her name at birth was Mercedes Justine Kaestner-Varnado. Her parents were Reo and Judith Varnado. While her father was African-American, her mother had a German origin. Banks has an autistic brother, Joshua. Hence, her family would shift to several locations, including Minnesota, in order to find Joshua medical facilities and schools. She started her professional wrestling career in Minnesota when they settled there. She attended online classes and was a lifelong fan of All Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling (AJW).
Sasha Banks Professional Career
Sasha Banks Chaotic Wrestling
2008-2010
In 2008, Banks started attending Chaotic Wrestling (CW) classes at Woburn, Massachusetts. Further, on October 1, 2010, she entered the ring for the first time as Mercedes KV. In an inter gender tag team match against Alexxis and Danny E, she teamed up with Nikki Roxx. KV and Roxx paired up, worked together routinely and went to ringside together. However, Danny E beat KV in her first singles match on October 22. Besides, on November 13 he defeated her again.
2011
KV won her first bout on January 7, 2011, when she and Roxx won against Alexxis and Mistress Belmont in a tag team contest. On February 11, KV aimed to become the first Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Champion by competing in a five-woman gauntlet match, but she was unsuccessful. The rest of 2011 saw KV continue to wrestle in singles matches, and on December 2 she defeated Alexxis in a “I Quit” match to capture the Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship for the first time.
2012
Barbie was the rival for KV’s first successful title bout on January 6, 2012. On January 27, KV met Luscious Latasha with the shot at the title, and the former won. In a rematch, KV boldly defended the title over Alexxis. Moreover, she defended the belt successfully against Nikki Roxx. Additionally, she secured the title on June 1 by defeating Alexxis, Barbie, and Mistress Belmont in a fatal four-way match. Besides, KV broke Alexxis’s previous record of 182 days to become the longest-reigning Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Champion in history.
Henceforth, KV successfully defended the playoffs. Likewise, those were against Barbie on June 24, Aida Marie on July 20, and Kasey Ray on August 17. On August 18, KV made her last appearance for CW, competing in a non-title match where Ivy Fit beat h per. Eventually, KV signed a contract with WWE on August 17. Furthermore, the vacating of Chaotic Wrestling Women’s Championship ended her 259-day reign.
Sasha Banks Independent Circuit
2010-2012
KV made her pro wrestling debut in New England Championship Wrestling (NECW) on August 8. There, she teamed up with Ivy to defeat Sammi Lane and Ariel’s team. On September 4, 2011, she attracted a large number to the NECW by returning there. Additionally, she teamed up with Ivy once more to defeat Mistress Belmont and Veda Scott. Moreover, KV beat Mistress Belmont on September 23 in a singles match. On July 14, 2012, at the Red White and Bruised event, KV made a second return in the promo though.
On November 19, 2010, KV made her National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) debut against Julian Starr. This time, nevertheless, she assumed the ring alias Miss Mercedes. Following that, Mercedes won singles matches against Sheik Ali and Nick Fahrenheit on the next two nights. Mercedes and The Great Cheyenne got into a fight after she defeated her over and over again. On August 9, 2011, however, she defeated Arlene in a singles match to win her final match for the NWA.
Sasha Banks WWE The BFFs
2012
KV attended a WWE tryout camp in June 2012. Further, on August 18, there were reports of her being offered a contract. It was now when she took up the ring name Sasha Banks and moved to WWE’s developmental division, NXT. Thus, she made her TV debut on NXT on December 12 and lost to Paige.
2013-2014
On the January 23, 2013 broadcast of NXT, Banks beat Alicia Fox to get her first win on air. Following this, Banks entered a plot in which she began to receive weird letters from a secret admirer. Subsequently, there was a finding – this person was Audrey Marie. She further returned to attack Banks on the NXT episode airing on February 20 out of backlash for Banks’ success.
Later on, in the same episode, Marie went on to defeat Banks in a match. On the NXT edition airing on April 3, Banks and Paige crushed Marie and Summer Rae. Thus, this put an end to their feud. Banks took part in the NXT Women’s Championship tournament on the June 19 episode of NXT. However, she lost to Rae in the opening round.
Banks and Rae helped Paige defeat Bayley on NXT two weeks later. Following the contest, Banks and Rae made a promo where they unveiled ‘The Boss’ – their new gimmick. On the October 16 airing of NXT, Banks and Rae faced Paige and Emma and won. Nonetheless, they went by the name ‘The Beautiful, Fierce Females’ (BFFs). Besides, the BFFs won a tag team match against Bayley and Charlotte on the NXT show airing on November 13.
Sasha Banks WWE NXT Women’s Champion
2014
Bayley beat Banks in a contest to decide the top threat for the NXT Women’s Championship. This went on air on the August 14 episode of NXT. Subsequently, on the October 23 NXT episodes, Banks beat Bayley in a singles match. Becky Lynch backed Banks against Bayley though. The NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte and Banks got into a fight right away. And this further led to a match on December 11 at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution. Hence, Charlotte’s title was on the line and Banks lost. On the NXT edition airing on December 25, Banks had a rematch but lost it once more, nonetheless.
On the December 30, 2014 edition of Main Event, Banks made her debut on the WWE main roster. However, she lost to Charlotte in a non-title contest.
2015
Becky Lynch attacked Charlotte on January 21, 2015, which caused a disqualification. Likewise, Banks lost the future title match against Charlotte. Thus, this created a rift between Banks and Lynch. Two further episodes of NXT on March 4 and March 25 saw Banks winning the title against Alexa Bliss, Banks. Subsequently, Banks faced Becky Lynch at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable on May 20 and held onto the title.
On the NXT episode of July 8, Banks and Charlotte blocked Emma and Dana Brooke. Subsequently, the following week, on the NXT episode airing on July 15, they had their title match. Banks adeptly defended her title, and the two then hugged while Charlotte grabbed her arm in a show of respect.
Banks lost the NXT Women’s Championship to Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn on August 22, thus ending her 192-day reign. Following the contest, Banks joined Bayley, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte in a party. Likewise, the contest earned Match of the Year at the NXT Year-End Awards and received high regard from critics.
In her final bout in NXT, Bayley defeated Banks in the main event of NXT TakeOver: Respect on October 7. This occured after losing two falls to three in the first women’s 30-minute Iron man match in WWE history though.
Sasha Banks WWE Team B.A.D
Thus, Banks made her formal debut on the July 13, 2015 episode of Raw with Charlotte and Becky Lynch. There was a fight between the three teams as a result of Lynch, Charlotte, and Paige’s alliance with Paige. Paige, on the contrary, locked herself in a conflict with Team Bella (Alicia Fox, Brie, and Nikki Bella). Besides, there was Banks’ union with Naomi and Tamina, subsequently known as Team B.A.D. (Beautiful and Dangerous). Banks competed in a triple threat match against Charlotte and Brie Bella at the WWE Battleground pay-per-view on July 19. However, Charlotte became the winner of this match.
Banks later beat Paige twice, though. Firstly, via defeat on the July 20 episode of Raw during a tag team match. Secondly, during a singles match on the July 27 episode of Raw. Banks did compete in the first-ever Divas number one contender’s Beat the Clock challenge match. Further, on the September 7 and 14 episodes of Raw, she twice defeated Paige. Banks came up short in a crucial four-way match for Charlotte’s Divas Championship in November, nonetheless. Thus, she also took down rivals like Brie Bella, Alicia Fox, and Becky Lynch on multiple events.
Sasha Banks and Bayley
2016-2019
Banks revived her feud with Charlotte in June. Moreover, she won the RAW Women’s Championship during the course of the summer by beating Charlotte three times.
On the other hand, Banks was unable to win the league at WrestleMania 33. Furthermore, she started a fight with Nia Jax, winning the match. Moreover, she also beat Alexa Bliss at the Summer Slam to claim her fourth Raw Women’s Championship. A week later though, Banks lost the final.
In 2018, however, Banks and Bayley got into a nasty fight that lasted for a while. After a brief break, Banks joined forces with Bayley and caught up in October. She wrestled against Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women’s Championship at Royal Rumble but lost.
She joined forces with Sasha Banks to form Boss n Hug Connection after a string of matches. At Elimination Chamber 2019, Sasha Banks and Bayley became the first WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Nevertheless, in less than 50 days, at WrestleMania 35, the team lost the league to IIconics.
Sasha Banks Heel Boss n Hug
2019-2020
Banks took a break post their defeat at WrestleMania. After a brief absence, she further attacked Natalya on RAW. She often tried to challenge Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship but failed each time. Subsequently, SmackDown asked her to join Bayley at Draft. Together, they refined their team, and she aided Bayley in trying to retain her title.
At WrestleMania 36, the group displayed internal conflict. On SmackDown, the duo successfully defended their second WWE Women’s Tag Team Title, nonetheless. Moreover, Bayley aided and abetted Banks in helping her win her fifth RAW Women’s Championship on RAW. At Summer Slam, Asuka defeated her, however, to win the title back.
After they lost the tag titles, she and Bayley waged a feud. Post their match, however, Bayley attacked Banks, and for a few weeks, she was off of TV. At Clash of Champions, Banks made a nice comeback and tackled Bayley. Further, inside Hell in a Cell, Banks broke Bayley’s 380-day tenure as champion.
Following Bayley, Banks actually led her title against Carmella. Bianca managed to defend the SmackDown Women’s Title against Banks at Royal Rumble. The 167-day reign as champion of Banks was hence, over.
Sasha Banks Return
2021-Present
In July, Banks came back to support Bianca. However, she turned on Carmella and attacked her, then attacked Bianca. There was a schedule of the two, to compete against one another at Summer Slam. However, there was a halt in the bout due to an unnamed injury. Subsequently, Banks returned to Extreme Rules and attacked Lynch. At Crown Jewel, she competed against Lynch for the league title but lost.
She started working with Naomi in 2022. Further, they defeated Carmella and Queen Zelina at WrestleMania 38 to win her third Women’s Tag Team Title.
Sasha Banks Wrestling Moves
Sasha Banks Finishing moves:
As Mercedes KV –
Her popular moves include roundhouse kick and wheelbarrow bulldog.
As Sasha Banks –
The bankrupt (straight jacket neckbreaker slam) and bank statement (double knee backbreaker into a cross face) are her famous moves.
With Bayley –
This includes just one move – double knee backbreaker (Banks) into Bayley to Belly (Bayley).
Sasha Banks Signature moves:
Banks’s signature moves are quite impressive. Among many, the most famous ones are bow and arrow stretch, Japanese arm drag, monkey flip, meteora, and suicide dive. Furthermore, there are her multiple forehand chops, springboard arm drag, reverse chin lock with body scissors, and straight jacket hold. She prefers running high knees, to an opponent in the corner, besides multiple pinning variations, crucifix, super frankensteiner, etc. In some matches, she chooses frog splash, roll-up, small package, camel clutch, wheelbarrow victory roll, and diving crossbody. Additionally, she excels in diving double knee drop across the turnbuckles and tilt-a-whirl head scissors take down.
Tag teams and stables:
- Beautiful Fierce Females (with Summer Rae & Charlotte)
- Team BAD (with Naomi & Tamina Snuka)
- Best At Everything (with Becky Lynch)
- Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection (with Bayley)
Sasha Banks Net Worth
The income Sasha Banks receives from WWE accounts for the majority of her net worth. A section of Sasha’s earnings would come from her line of Yeezy sneakers. She is one of the most well-known WWE Divas in existence, enjoying a net worth of 5-10 million USD. She formerly worked under a contract that paid her $180K a year. However, she rose to fame after competing in the first-ever women’s pay-per-view match against Charlotte Flair. At WWE, she presently makes a $250K base yearly salary. Additionally, she has a pretty sizable social media following, where she carries out paid partnerships and brand promos.
Sasha Banks Accolades
- Chaotic Wrestling – CW Women’s Championship (once)
- NXT – NXT Women’s Championship (once)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) –
- 3 in the 2015 PWI Top 50 Females
- 2 in the 2016 PWI Top 50 Females
- 4 in the 2017 PWI Top 50 Females
- 14 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
- 14 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI Match of the Year (2015) vs. Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Respect
- Ring Wars Carolina – RWC No Limitz Championship (once)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) –
- Raw Women’s Title (once)
- SmackDown Women’s Title (once)
- Women’s Tag Team Title (thrice) with Bayley (twice) and Naomi (once)
Sasha Banks Video Game
She first debuted in a video game as Sasha Banks in WWE 2K17. Ever since, she has made subsequent cameos in WWE 2K18, 2K19, 2K20, and 2K22. In addition, you can even spot her in the WWE SuperCard and WWE Mayhem mobile games. Moreover, her other features include YouTube videos, UpUpDownDown, and Smosh Games.
Sasha Banks TV
In the second season of the Disney+ TV series The Mandalorian, Banks makes her acting debut as Koska Reeves. Likewise, she essays the role of a Mandalorian working for Bo-Katan Kryze as a member of the Nite Owls.
Sasha Banks Music
The Mountain Goats wrote and performed the ‘Song for Sasha Banks’. It retells her early years of watching Chris Jericho compete on SmackDown. This was before she went on to become a pro wrestler in her own right though. On June 18, 2018, it gained a release digitally as a single track.
Sasha Banks Personal Life
Sasha Banks and Snoop Dogg
Rapper and actor Snoop Dogg, who assisted Banks in creating her in-ring image, is a first cousin through her father. Besides, artists Brandy Norwood and Ray, and music producer Daz Dillinger are her relatives. She enjoys both the Japanese anime Sailor Moon as well as K-pop music.
Banks has claimed – Eddie Guerrero is her favorite wrestler and source of motivation. On November 14, 2005, in Minneapolis, she attended Guerrero’s memorial Raw episode. Moreover, she admitted that she did not know he had passed away until she got there.
Furthermore, Banks served the 2021 Daytona 500 as an honorary starter.
Sasha Banks Husband
Sasha Banks Sarath Ton
Banks wed retired pro wrestler Sarath Ton on August 4, 2016. Despite being hitched in 2016, the couple didn’t announce their union until 2017. They first met each other while competing in the independent wrestling circuit, and eventually fell for each other. During a game against the Vaudevillians, Ton had a head injury after being kicked. The knockout was very cold and as a result of the blow, he had to suffer a limp. Since that night, he has avoided duels. Ton, more popular by his ring moniker Mikaze, currently designs costumes for WWE. Sasha Banks is yet to give birth though.
Sasha Banks FAQs
Therefore, we bring to you the most sought-after facts about the popular WWE Diva on the web. Read on.
What is Sasha Banks’ age?
The six-time WWE Women’s Champion is currently 31 years of age.
When is Sasha Banks’ birthday?
She celebrates her birthday every year on January 26.
What is Sasha Banks’ birth sign?
Her birth sign is Aquarius.
What is the height of Sasha Banks?
She stands tall at a height of 5’5″ or 1.65 m.
What is the weight of Sasha Banks?
She weighs around 52 kg or 115 lbs.
State Sasha Banks’ physical stats
- Body measurements – 30-27-32 inches
- Hair color – Black
- Eye color – Black
- Body color – Fair
When did Sasha Banks debut in the wrestling circuit?
- Pro Wrestling – August 8, 2010
- NXT – December 12, 2012
- RAW – July 13, 2015
What are Sasha Banks’ ring names?
- Mercedes KV
- Miss Mercedes
- Sasha Banks
Name Sasha Banks’ trainers
- Maeve Stowe
- Brian Milonas
- Hanson
- Sara Del Rey
Sasha Banks AEW
In a recent episode of the ‘Hall of Fame’ podcast, Booker T mused about Banks joining AEW. However, the hint came up only after WWE reportedly released her.
Sasha Banks and Naomi
Well, Banks and Naomi form an American professional wrestling tag team that competes in the WWE. They were formerly popular as Team B.A.D.
