Predicting All 15 WWE Champions One Year From Now

4. SmackDown Women's Champion: Sasha Banks

the miz wwe champion
WWE.com

Another wrestler who could benefit from a change of scenery upon her current programme's completion, Sasha Banks is no longer the divisional centrepiece she was a couple of years ago.

The overlong Bayley saga will eventually run its course. Ideally, Banks will turn heel on her friend, ending The Hug & Boss Connection's run, and kickstarting a strong series of pay-per-view bouts. It's doubtful that they'll be allowed to hit the same heights they did in NXT, but it'd be nice to see WWE try.

Joining SmackDown from there would present Banks with a fresh set of possibilities. Ronda Rousey aside, she has already faced everyone that matters on Raw. Jumping to the blue brand would allow her to war with the likes of Asuka, Becky Lynch, and potential call-ups like Shayna Baszler, giving her plenty of tremendous feuds to work while on top.

This all hinges on whether or not WWE have truly moved away from the destructive formula that dominated much of their summer programming. Alexa Bliss and Carmella's parallel reigns greatly limited the opportunities available to competitors like Banks, so let's hope the change is permanent.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.