10 Wrestlers Plagued By Their On-Screen Self
2. Sasha Banks
'The Boss', while being a relatively simple and vague gimmick, has worked wonders for Sasha Banks. She is the total pro-wrestling package, blessed with in-ring finesse and charisma.
Banks has revealed that the gimmick was based on her cousin Snoop Dogg. Those who know the rapper refer to him as 'The Boss'. She credits Tyler Breeze and Xavier Woods with helping her define the character.
In her Broken Skull Sessions interview, Sasha opened up to Steve Austin about her battle with depression - the reason behind her five-month absence post-WrestleMania 35. It became so bad Banks requested her leave from the company, but fortunately this turned into a rest bite rather than a release.
A large dose of Bank’s angst was her lengthy emersion into her TV character. She felt she had lost the woman behind 'The Boss'. Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado was seldom a name she ever heard, and she became so detached from her true self that at her lowest lows she even struggled to remember her real hair colour.
After some time out, and a stint training in Japan, Banks returned better than ever. Considering the company’s past mistakes around supporting performer’s mental health, it is encouraging to hear about Mercedes’ experience.