Examining Sasha Banks' Direction, Upside and Long-Term Potential

If WWE is a sky full of stars of varying brilliance, Sasha Banks is Sirius, glowing markedly brighter than her peers.

Banks' greatness is unmistakable. She is a once-in-a-generation talent capable of reshaping the role of women's wrestling in WWE. An in-ring technician with a powerful stage presence, the former NXT women's champion is far and away the best female performer on the roster.

Fans saw that artistry on display during her stay at NXT.

She thrived as the women's titleholder, composing classics against Bayley and earning a spot in the main event at NXT TakeOver: Respect. The Boss was white hot, seemingly poised to lead what WWE dubbed the "Divas Revolution."

Upon moving to the main roster, though, Banks' momentum grew stagnant. She got lost in a crowded story that involved three trios and lacked clear babyface-heel roles. The Boss didn't make the cut when the company crafted its cards for Night of Champions, Hell in a Cell or Survivor Series. 

In the past month, WWE has improved her presentation.

She attacked Becky Lynch and Charlotte at the Royal Rumble, making a clear statement that the Divas Championship is in her crosshairs. She has since broken away from Team B.A.D., instead forming an uneasy alliance with Lynch.

She is not yet a full-fledged babyface. It seems as if WWE is moving her in that direction slowly, just as it turned Charlotte toward the dark side in slow-burn fashion.

It looks as if Banks is marching toward a title shot and a big bout against Charlotte at WrestleMania. If that's the case, WWE is doing the right thing. Banks belongs on the marquee, with gold in her hand and in a position to revolutionize women's wrestling.

Strengths

To watch Banks in the wrestling ring is to watch a master at work.

She infuses technical skill with showmanship, smoothness with viciousness. She glides from hold to hold and makes everything from a wrist lock to a hip toss look like art.

That skill has allowed her to deliver some of the best women's matches in WWE history. When WWE.com staff compiled the top 25 matches of 2015, four of Banks' bouts made the list, including two in the top five.

More classics are surely on the way. Pit her in climactic battles against Asuka, Paige, Natalya and Charlotte, and WWE is assured more excellence.

Beyond just technical prowess, Banks wields an enthralling aura. She makes you want to watch her beat someone up. She stands out in a crowded circus of nutty characters.

As Jim Ross tweeted, she has the elusive "it" factor:

In the past year-plus, Banks has also grown into her character. The "Boss" persona fits her perfectly. Whether she is claiming to be the best or sashaying to the ring, it's all compelling.

It's not surprising that she's become so popular. She is leading the vote by a wide margin on a WWE.com poll asking fans who most deserves a Divas title shot, and fans regularly chant, "We want Sasha!" 

That speaks to a connection with the crowd that she has created, most of which she did while a part of the less-watched NXT brand.

Obstacles

In her early days at NXT, Banks' weakness was the verbal part of the game. She seemed uncomfortable as an actor and wasn't nearly emphatic enough on the mic.

While she can still grow in that department, she has improved immensely. She's become more natural and comfortable.

Her work opposite Bayley leading up to their Iron Man match was better than 90 percent of what we have seen from the women's division.

Banks' biggest blockade will now be WWE itself.

The company has adjusted how it presents its women but still struggles to maximize its female talent. Short matches that mean little creep up too often. Regularly, everyone but the Divas champ and her current rival are neglected.

If WWE does that with Banks, she won't reach her full potential. The same goes if it has her involved in silly, melodramatic stories about a love affair.

She will be the next AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix or Gail Kim, leaving fans to wonder, "What if?" after she's gone.

Fans saw at NXT how much she flourishes in a standard wrestling narrative that is well-considered. They have seen her tear the house down in lengthy matches. That's all she needs to make her mark.

Give her the stage, and she will deliver the goods.

Long-Term Potential

It's a safe bet that Banks will win the Divas Championship. It seems like anyone with an ounce of momentum gets a run with that belt.

Banks can be far more than that, though. She is a special talent.

Kurt Angle called her one of the most gifted female performers ever:

He's right. There is an electricity surrounding her that we don't see often. She has a feel for the art of wrestling much like that of Randy Orton. Given ample opportunity, she will be the centerpiece of the division for years to come.

But even that's not her ceiling.

As the folks at the New Age Insiders podcast pointed out, Banks hasn't even hit her prime:

With added experience and pitted against a talented crop of opponents, Banks is bound to get even better, as hard to fathom as that is. Count on her having a groundbreaking, Hall of Fame career.

If there ever is a woman who would rival the men in terms of star power, it's her. If there is ever a woman capable of headlining pay-per-views, it's The Boss.

Championships are the first step; redefining women's wrestling comes next.

Be sure to check out previous editions of this ongoing series:

• Kevin Owens
• Titus O'Neil