10 NXT Black & Gold Stars Triple H Built (... And Vince McMahon DESTROYED!)

2. Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks
WWE.com

Under Triple H's watch (and the profound influence of Dusty Rhodes), it was clear that Sasha Banks was going to be a major player. She connected with crowds of all sizes, worked some of the finest matches in NXT history and became a sign of the change to come within WWE's women's division.

Unlike others on this list, Banks had undeniable success on the main roster. By the time she left WWE, she had a combined six reigns with the two Women's top titles and closed out Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 (alongside Bianca Belair) with a match of the year contender.

However, reports of Banks' apparent unhappiness weren't uncommon in her final run as she tried her darnedest to make the women's tag division a meaningful place despite plainly eleventh hour booking. Banks' breaking point came on May 13th 2022 when she and tag partner Naomi dumped their belts on the desk of John Laurinaitis and walked out.

Vince McMahon's chastising words of "disappointment" came out of Michael Cole's mouth on commentary the next week, adding further insult and likely burning their own end of the bridge. Six months later, Banks - now as Mercedes Moné - debuted in Japan and won the IWGP Women's Championship in short order.

Triple H had discovered, nurtured and presented Vince a generational talent in Sasha Banks but it seems entirely apparent that the chairman drove her away from the company.

Contributor
Contributor

The Red Mage of WhatCulture. Very long hair. She/they.