How AEW Has ALREADY Changed Wrestling
In any other era, had Sasha Banks walked out, Bayley would have been instructed to bury her the very next night. “It’s take-your-ball-and-go-home-time!” Bayley might have said, after feigning to check her imaginary watch. This didn’t happen; no longer able to luxuriate in the disgusting power that comes with monopoly, WWE, keen to be perceived as the babyface company, negotiated professionally with Sasha Banks to engineer her high-profile return throughout the spring and summer. Banks manoeuvred herself around this shifting, new landscape with the agency and nous of the politicians of old.
Some were irked by this—but empowering talent is a welcome return to an old paradigm. WWE has for years fed its performers sh*t. Now, they no longer have to eat it to live comfortably.
Sasha could have walked into AEW, had she returned without such a promise and with the intention of running down her deal. That is speculation informed by the logic of business. But how true is it? Sasha Banks is an established WWE star of the sort AEW hasn’t expressed much interest in signing thus far. AEW is intent on promoting a new, different breed of talent that otherwise could not have earned significant money.
AEW has signed members of the LGBTQ community, and has featured Nyla Rose prominently. And with good reason.
CONT'D...(3 of 5)