Sasha Banks: WWE Raw star on wrestling goals and tough childhood
'Main-eventing WrestleMania is the dream goal,' Banks tells WWE GP
Monday 6 March 2017 05:27, UK
Sasha Banks told Gorilla Position that reaching the top of WWE has boosted her confidence out of the ring - and that she is now determined to main-event WrestleMania.
Banks is a former three-time Women's Champion, while she and Charlotte became the first female wrestlers to main-event a main-roster pay-per-view and compete inside Hell in a Cell at October's event in Boston.
The 25-year-old, who defeated Nia Jax at WWE Fastlane on Sunday, says she is 'living her dream' - but still has plenty more she wants to achieve.
"When the camera is on I am 100 per cent this larger than life character," said Banks. "But when I come home I am this private, shy girl who feels like she is getting to live her dream every day.
"Sasha on TV is everything I wish I could be in normal life - being her has actually helped me and given me the confidence to stand up for myself.
"When I was 10 I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be the greatest women's wrestler of all time and that I wanted to change the definition of what it was to be a Diva in WWE.
"The fact we are now not Divas but Superstars, are getting opportunities like the guys and are making history means there are so many emotions.
I am making it happen for myself and doing everything I have ever set my mind on - but I want more.
"I am making it happen for myself and doing everything I have ever set my mind on - but I want more. Wrestling in Japan is one thing but main-eventing WrestleMania is the dream goal."
Banks also opened up about her childhood struggles, during which she looked after her autistic brother, and how she realised she wanted to become a professional wrestler
"I didn't have an easy childhood - I wouldn't even call it a childhood," added Banks, who has also held the NXT Women's Championship.
"I have a brother with autism and Tuberous sclerosis complex, which is a tumour in his heart and his brain, so my whole life was taking care of him. I felt like I was an adult at three.
"Then, at 10, there was nothing on TV but WWE - I turned it on and was instantly hooked.
"My mum came in and said 'this is not okay to watch' but I snuck into my brother's room to watch it and then I started watching every single week.
"There was something about it that made me so intrigued and I realised it was what I wanted to do with my life - it was all I wanted and I would daydream about it 24/7.
"When I started training I said to my mum: 'I have given my entire life to my brother, Joshua, so just let me train to be a wrestler'. She let me as she saw how much I loved it.
"I now find it empowering that I can be a voice for little girls who don't have a voice. Being a role model is a dream come true."
To hear more from Banks, including how her wrestling career began, what she does on her days off, her faith and her chemistry with Charlotte, listen to the Gorilla Position podcast.
