Sasha Banks is currently 0-5 at WrestleMania. (0-6 if you include her pre-show Battle Royal loss at WrestleMania 34).
We all know about the legendary Undertaker and his remarkable record at WrestleMania, with an astonishing 21-0 record before he met The Beast Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30 in New Orleans Superdome.
That night, the streak ended in a genuinely shocking moment as Brock pinned the Deadman to earthly silence from the WWE Universe.
The Undertaker rebounded, scoring a victory the following year over Bray Wyatt at the show of shows, but it wasn’t quite the same. He went on to be 25-2 at the Showcase of Immortals.
The Deadman’s legacy will continue to live on, his legend cemented through 30 years of great moments and matches, as the best character that the WWE has ever produced.
A big part of Undertaker’s aura was his WrestleMania streak. The Deadman’s match at WrestleMania was always one that fans and writers a-like would point at as pivotal at that year’s show. ‘Would this be the year that the streak came to an end?’ It added a layer to the already brilliantly crafted character of the ‘Taker.
For Sasha Banks, she has her own WrestleMania streak ongoing, only it’s the total opposite to that of The Undertaker. Sasha is currently 0-6 (including a pre-show match) at WrestleMania heading into Dallas for the 38th addition of the grand-daddy of them all.
A shocking statistic when you consider the lofty position that Banks has earned amongst the elite of WWE’s Women’s Division.
She’s not alone. Of the current active roster, Big E has a similar record 0-7, although it’s fair to say that Sasha has been traditionally in much more high profile bouts than the New Day member despite his recent WWE Championship reign.
Unlike The Undertaker, Sasha Banks’ streak is not helping to define her (and would have a way to go yet before it did), but it could be an interesting character arch for Banks, the longer that it continues with a yearly defeat.
Having a win at ‘Mania may be way down on Sasha Banks’ list of priorities, but it’s something she will still be striving for.
The Boss’ career achievements speak for themselves. She is already one half of the first female pairing to main event a PPV, the third WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion and the fourth WWE Women’s Triple Crown winner.
Banks has won Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of The Year- in 2015 alongside Bayley for their marvellous 30 minute Iron Woman match at NXT TakeOver Respect and was also named 2015 PWI Woman of The Year.
Even without a win at the show of shows, she is the youngest female wrestler to headline a WrestleMania and the first Superstar born in the 1990s to do so to. One of the most talked and tweeted about women athletes in the world.
Sasha doesn’t need that elusive WrestleMania career win. Or does she to be remembered as an all-time WWE great?
Indeed, all of the top names of the past 30 years have victories at WrestleMania as part of their history.
Will this be the year that her ‘alternative streak’ comes to an end at wrestling’s biggest show?
With WrestleMania 38 fast approaching, Sasha is scheduled to team with Naomi to take on Queen Zelina and Carmella and Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Maybe this is Sasha Banks’ year!
Here we look back at Sasha’s previous WrestleMania match losses;
Note – Sasha’s first involvement at WrestleMania came during Triple H’s entrance back at WrestleMania 30. Along with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, the then NXT Superstar disrobed the King of Kings during his walk to the ring to battle Daniel Bryan. An interesting cameo.
WrestleMania 32- WWE Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks vs Charlotte Flair vs Becky Lynch:
The dawning of a new era for Women’s wrestling in the WWE occurred at WrestleMania 32 coincidentally in Dallas Texas and the same AT&T Stadium that will host WrestleMania 38.
With the Divas title tired and outdated, Hall of Famer Lita announced that the winner of the triple threat match would be crowned the new WWE Women’s Champion. The stakes were high.
After debuting on the main roster that past summer, all three women had helped redefine the women’s division, to the point that this match was arguably the most anticipated on the entire WrestleMania card- a first for a women’s match at WrestleMania. The three didn’t disappoint, having the match of the Mania.
Arguably entering as the favourite, Sasha had the lavish celebrity entrance, accompanied by real life cousin Snoop Dogg rapping her theme song, seemingly with momentum on Banks’ side it looked like this would be the night for the Boss.
Charlotte had held the divas title since September and with a new title, most thought would come a new champion. It wasn’t to be. Even channelling her in ring hero Eddie Guerrero, Banks wore ring gear similar to that worn by Latino Heat, it still wasn’t Sasha’s night.
Kept strong during the finish, Sasha was thrown out of the ring before Charlotte applied the figure eight to Lynch to secure the tap out and the new title in 16:03.
Streak 0-1
WrestleMania 33- WWE Raw Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks vs Bayley vs Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jax:
For the second straight year, three of the Four Horsewomen competed in the same match for the now renamed RAW women’s title. Unlike the decent hype and anticipation of the historic women’s match of a year prior, WrestleMania 33’s title match felt like an afterthought, made a four way just to get competitors on the card.
Bayley had been feuding with Charlotte Flair, upending The Qeen on RAW to take the title, then again at the previous months FastLane to take Charlotte’s previous PPV undefeated streak. Really, the story had concluded nonsensically a month prior to ‘Mania.
Sasha had also pinned Nia at the aforementioned Fastlane PPV.
The match always felt rushed, a common problem at WrestleMania. After a triple power bomb had eliminated Jax first, it was old foe Flair who would once again be Sasha’s nemesis, firing her into an exposed turnbuckle, before quickly pinning and eliminating The Boss.
Bayley would go on to retain her title, pinning Flair after a top rope elbow drop at 12:58.
At least the RAW women were given some time, the six who competed for SmackDown’s version of the title, had just 4:58!
For Sasha, her moment in the WrestleMania sun would still be wanting.
Streak 0-2
WrestleMania 34- WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal (Pre Show Match):
This year relegated to the pre-show, Banks competed in the inaugural Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal that had been fought with problems since the day it had been announced, having its naming changed from including the late Fabulous Moolah’s moniker.
Banks was an obvious favourite, surviving until the final three before being double crossed by Bayley (in retaliation to Bank’s own betrayal at Elimination Chamber the month prior) and slung over the top rope. Naomi, pulling the old, lie in wait at ringside technique, snuck in from behind and threw Bayley out, winning the match and the trophy at 9:50.
A disappointing night for Banks, and a waste of so much female talent. The Battle Royal has gone the way of the men’s version. It’s utterly meaningless.
Sasha Banks was beaten to the main card of this event by a 12 year old boy named Nicholas!
Streak 0-3* (including pre-show match)
WrestleMania 35- WWE Women’s Tag Team Title: Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection vs Nia Jax and Tamina vs IIconics vs Beth Phoenix and Natalya:
Sasha’s relationship with Bayley had taken centre stage since the previous ‘Mania with a ‘will they won’t they’ turn on each other story that had been one of the most interesting things on WWE television.
Forming The Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection officially that July, together the duo had also successfully campaigned for the return of the WWE Women’s tag team titles, belts that hadn’t seen the daylight since the Glamour Girls and the Jumping Bomb Angels competed for them in the late 1980s.
Becoming inaugural champions in a hard fought tag team Elimination Chamber match only weeks before WrestleMania 35, everything pointed to a long reign for the pair, including defences across RAW, SmackDown and NXT brands helping to popularise and add credibility to the new titles, cementing them into the WWE Universe and allowing WWE time to organically develop new pairings that could challenge The Legit Boss and the Hugger.
Alas, it didn’t work out that way. Just 49 days after winning the titles, Sasha and Bayley lost the titles to the only other regular pairing in the match. The IIconics team of Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, who pinned Bayley to win the belts in 10:45.
The result and the booking frustration hit Banks hard. The match had been throw away. Being nowhere near the first ever Women’s match to headline WrestleMania won’t have helped Banks’ mindset either.
After the loss, Banks requested her release and spent until August off TV, considering her future.
Streak 0-4 * (including pre-show match)
WrestleMania 36 Night Two- Fatal 5 Way for SmackDown Women’s Championship: Sasha Banks vs Bayley vs Lacey Evans vs Naomi vs Tamina:
Returning with a vengeance that past summer, Banks turned heel and rekindled her friendship on screen with Bayley, heading into ‘Mania dissension appeared between the pair as Banks realised the opportunity that awaited her to become champion.
On the night, Banks proved what a good friend she was, returning to the match after Bayley had failed to help Banks whilst Lacey Evans pinned and eliminated her.
A backstabber to Evans left her easy prey for Bayley’s match winning DDT. Bailey retained the title in 19:20.
The pair celebrated in the empty Performance Centre together, but in truth it was another WrestleMania loss for Sasha, who had put her loyalty and friendship with Bayley ahead of her own title aspirations. Sasha’s other multiple women matches at WrestleMania could have done with more time, whilst this match, although solid, could have done with a few less.
Streak 0-5* (including pre-show match)
WrestleMania 37- Night One- Main Event- Smackdown Women’s Championship Sasha Banks vs Bianca Bel Air:
With ring attire made by her husband, inspired by Sasha Banks’ love of fashion designer ZIGMAN and his criss-cross strap pieces, Banks Finally had her WrestleMania moment, all be it still in a losing effort, becoming the first woman to defend her title in a singles match in the main event of WrestleMania.
Sasha and Belair also became the first time two African American wrestlers to headline a WrestleMania together.
A modern day beauty of a match, the two traded blow after blow in an intense battle that lived up to its main event billing.
In the final stages, Belair caught Banks with a huge 450 splash, before whipping her with her braid en-route to a title winning KOD – Kiss of Death and pin fall at 17:15.
The Raymond James Stadium crowd became unglued for the historic moment as both embraced centre ring, taking in fully the momentous occasion.
Inside The Ropes issue 8 said of Banks; “Sasha’s status as a megastar in WWE is undisputed, yet The Boss was able to take this landmark moment in her own career and make it about someone else entirely”.
Banks was on top of her profession. A perfect night… except maybe for the loss!
Streak 0-6 * (including pre-show match)
The Future:
At age just 30, The Blueprint Banks hopefully has years of WrestleMania matches left in her. She is already a true main eventer and pioneer in the Women’s division.
However as goal driven as Banks undoubtedly is, she will want that illusive WrestleMania victory for her record.
She has been used to put over others on the highest stage possible for the last six years. Credit to her, the developed confidence she has in herself and that WWE has in Sasha Banks and her character, meaning that the losses have meant little in her overall career trajectory. She remains as strong as ever within WWE.
Not unlike her unique storyline of her being unable to defend a title once she won it, a demon she has since slayed, her WrestleMania losses could start to be built into her yearly build to the show of shows, building more anticipation each year as the losses mount up.
At this stage however, it’s more a question of when rather than if Sasha gets her WrestleMania victory, indeed her hand could be raised at the 2022 version of the event, WrestleMania 38 in the next few weeks.
However even without that elusive WrestleMania victory, Sasha remains one of the most respected and admired competitors in the WWE locker room. A true WWE Superstar. A WrestleMania win would be nice, but is not essential in making Sasha legit.
It’s Boss Time!