Sasha Banks interview: 'Women getting equal opportunities in WWE'
Banks to defend Women's title at SummerSlam on Sunday night
Tuesday 16 August 2016 08:59, UK
WWE's women's division has undergone a revolution - and Sasha Banks is at the heart of it.
The days of WWE's female competitors being labelled as merely eye candy are over, with the likes of Banks, her SummerSlam opponent Charlotte, Norwich-born Paige and Irish performer Becky Lynch now able to showcase their vast array of in-ring skills.
Banks, who made the leap from NXT to WWE's main roster in the summer of 2015, feels her 16-minute Triple Threat encounter with Charlotte and Lynch at WrestleMania 32 in front of over 100,000 fans in Texas' AT&T Stadium was a turning point.
And the 24-year-old, named Women of the Year for 2015 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine, is adamant she and her peers have transformed the view of women's wrestling.
"I wanted to change the division," Banks told Sky Sports ahead of SummerSlam, which you can watch live on Sky Sports Box Office from midnight on Sunday night (Monday morning).
Back in the day when I started on the independent scene, guys would not watch women's matches and if they did they would do it to make fun of us.
"I didn't want to walk into WWE and be someone who just does bikini matches and played second fiddle to the guys.
"I wanted to stand out, make people excited to see women's wrestling and show them we can be better than the men.
"The Divas Revolution didn't have the great start that I wanted it to have, but through time it has got to where I want it to be, starting with the Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania.
"Our faces were in the middle of the stadium, which proves we are getting equal opportunities.
"We are at a point now where people respect us and respect our work - the guys want to sit down and watch women's matches.
"Back in the day when I started on the independent scene, guys would not watch women's matches and if they did they would do it to make fun of us.
"Now my friends, like [WWE Tag Team Champions] The New Day, wait for me behind the curtain and clap when I go backstage - that makes me really happy."
Natalya, Naomi and Alexa Bliss are among the other superstars taking women's wrestling into a new era.
But Banks feels a female who rarely steps foot in the ring has helped the division blossom - WWE's chief brand officer and commissioner of Monday Night Raw, Stephanie McMahon.
"Stephanie is a huge role model, not just for girls outside of WWE but also female wrestlers," added the former NXT Women's Champion.
"Every time I see her she has the biggest smile on her face and despite what you may see on TV she is without doubt one of the nicest people I have ever met.
"Anytime she is backstage she will talk to us and give us advice, while she came to a lot of shows when I was in NXT, which speaks volumes for how much she cares.
"The way she conducts herself and carries herself is how all women should be in WWE."
Watch Sasha Banks defend the WWE Women's Championship against Charlotte at SummerSlam, live from midnight on Sunday on Sky Sports Box Office. Click here for booking details.
WWE SummerSlam booking details
WWE SummerSlam will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) AND Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) at midnight on Sunday, August 21 (Monday morning).
WWE SummerSlam will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) between 10am on Monday, August 22 and 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
Repeat showings will air at 10am, 3pm, 8pm and 1am, with THE FINAL PLAYOUT starting at 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
UK viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WWE SummerSlam NOW, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also book WWE SummerSlam online NOW by visiting this link: https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/
Viewers can also book using their Sky TV remote by pressing the 'Box office' button, scrolling across to the sports tab and following on-screen instructions. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
