Honestly, if you were watching Monday Night Raw on May 16, 2022, you saw the moment the wrestling world shifted. It wasn't some high-flying spot or a surprise return. It was a walkout. Sasha Banks and her tag partner Naomi left their championship belts on John Laurinaitis’s desk and just walked out of the building. People are still arguing about it today in 2026. Was it a diva move? Or was it the most important stand a female performer ever took in the industry?
Basically, the "Legit Boss" decided she was done being treated as a secondary thought.
WWE had spent years marketing her as a cornerstone of their "Women’s Revolution," yet behind the scenes, creative frustrations were hitting a boiling point. The plan that night was for Sasha and Naomi to compete in a six-pack challenge where Naomi would win, eventually losing to Bianca Belair. Sasha felt this made their Tag Team titles look like worthless props. She wasn't wrong.
The Sasha Banks WWE Era: More Than Just "The Boss"
You've got to understand where she came from to get why that walkout mattered so much. Sasha didn't just play a character; she built an archetype. Before her, "Divas" were often relegated to three-minute matches that felt more like bathroom breaks for the crowd. Sasha changed that narrative in NXT.
Her match against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015? Legend status.
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It wasn't just a "good women’s match." It was the match of the year, period. They told a story about respect, jealousy, and pure athletic grit that forced the main roster to take notice. When she finally moved up to the main stage, she became a five-time Raw Women’s Champion and a SmackDown Women’s Champion. She was the first woman to headline a major PPV in a Hell in a Cell match.
Breaking the "Horsewomen" Glass Ceiling
The "Four Horsewomen"—Sasha, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Bayley—are the reason women main-event WrestleMania now. But Sasha always felt a little different from the others. While Charlotte was the "chosen one" and Becky was the "people's champ," Sasha was the workhorse. She made everyone she stepped in the ring with look like a million bucks.
- First-ever female Iron Man match.
- First woman to win the PWI "Feud of the Year."
- Inaugural Women's Tag Team Champion.
But despite the accolades, there was a persistent feeling among fans (and clearly Sasha herself) that WWE's booking often pulled the rug out from under her just as she was getting momentum. She’d win the title on a random Raw, only to lose it at the following PPV. It was a pattern that would make anyone want to bet on themselves elsewhere.
What Really Happened After the Walkout?
When Sasha left, the rumors went wild. Some said she was heading to Hollywood for good—after all, she’d already killed it as Koska Reeves in The Mandalorian. But her heart was still in the ring. She just wanted a bigger ring.
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In January 2023, she shocked everyone by appearing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. She wasn't Sasha Banks anymore. She was Mercedes Moné.
The transition wasn't just a name change; it was a total rebranding of her value. She went on a "Belt Collector" run that saw her winning the IWGP Women's Championship and eventually landing in AEW (All Elite Wrestling). By early 2026, she has cemented herself as arguably the most decorated female wrestler in history, holding titles across AEW, NJPW, and CMLL simultaneously.
The 2025 "Belt Collector" Peak
Last year was huge for her. Mercedes (formerly Sasha) ranked No. 1 in the PWI Women's 250 for 2025. She wasn't just wrestling; she was running a business. Her "Moné Mag" newsletter became a go-to for fans wanting the real story behind the scenes. She even broke attendance records in Mexico for CMLL, outdrawing WWE's all-female Evolution event from years prior.
She proved that there is life—and massive profit—outside of the WWE machine.
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Will Sasha Banks Ever Return to WWE?
This is the million-dollar question every fan asks on Twitter every single day. Look, never say never in wrestling. CM Punk came back. Cody Rhodes came back. Even Bret Hart came back.
But here’s the thing: the Mercedes Moné we see in 2026 isn't the same person who left in 2022. She’s a "CEO" now. If she ever goes back to WWE, it won't be on their terms. It’ll be a blockbuster deal that likely gives her the creative freedom she walked out for in the first place.
Current reports suggest that while there have been "talks" off and on, the financial gap is still pretty wide. She's making "top-tier guy" money in AEW and on the international circuit. WWE would have to back up a very large truck of cash to get her back for a WrestleMania 42 or 43 appearance.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Wrestlers
If you're looking to follow her career or understand her impact, here is the reality of the "Sasha Banks" legacy:
- Watch the NXT Catalog: If you want to see why she's a legend, go back to the 2014-2015 NXT run. That is the blueprint for modern women’s wrestling.
- Study the Rebrand: For anyone in creative fields, look at how she transitioned from Sasha Banks to Mercedes Moné. She kept the "core" of what fans loved (the confidence, the style) but updated the "business" side of it.
- The "Workhorse" Rule: Sasha’s biggest strength wasn't just her promos; it was her ability to sell for her opponents. She made the business better by making her rivals look better.
- Follow the Independent Scene: To see her current work, you have to look beyond the big two American promotions. Her work in Stardom and RevPro in the UK has been some of her most technical and rewarding.
Sasha Banks didn't just leave WWE; she outgrew it. Whether she eventually returns for a Hall of Fame induction or one last run, her impact on how women are treated in sports entertainment is already permanent. She took the "Boss" gimmick and turned it into a reality.
Next Steps for Research:
Check out the 2025 PWI 500 rankings to see how her "Belt Collector" year compared to her peers, or watch the "Big Business" episode of AEW Dynamite to see her debut that changed the landscape of the Wednesday Night Wars.