Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions: Sasha Banks FULL RECAP
Sasha Banks sits down with the legendary Steve Austin for an intimate and revealing discussion, delving into the pivotal moments that have shaped her illustrious career. From her most memorable and impactful matches in the squared circle to her groundbreaking foray into acting with her role in the hit series The Mandalorian, The Boss holds nothing back in this candid conversation.
Steve introduces Sasha as one of his all-time favourites to which he asked her, “How’s that?” Sasha would respond by saying it’s “pretty freakin’ cool.”
This is a conversation that Steve has been longing to have.
To kick off the convo, Steve throws to a graphic that features Sasha Banks as the Top Superstar of 2020 according to Sports Illustrated.
Sasha noted it was pretty amazing to be number one.
Austin believes Sasha is at the top of her game and asks about her thoughts on where she is right now.
“I feel pretty freakin’ incredible, to be honest. It’s definitely more than what I ever dreamt of.”
Banks was very humbled that a legend such as Austin referred to her as one of his all-time favourites.
In honor of being ranked number one, Steve opens a Broken Skull IPA for the Boss.
Sasha responds with, “Oh hell yeah.”
The two cheers as Sasha congratulates Stone Cold over the success of the beer.
Sasha has always wanted to be the best. She was around wrestling with her dad and first laid her eyes on it at age 2 or 3, but never understood what it was.
At 10 years old, she was hooked on WWE and it became crystal clear that this was her dream.
She attended online school from age 12-18 but admitted the focus was on watching wrestling matches instead. Sasha wouldn’t finish reports, but instead, would focus on watching wrestling.
She did not physically go to school because her brother has autism and her mom didn’t have a job at the time. They lived out of a hotel for two and a half years. Sasha left school to take care of her brother so her mom could work. In reality, Sasha was visiting wrestling forums and downloading matches and shows.
Sasha had no Plan B, so the goal was WWE. Therefore, she took studying the craft of wrestling very seriously. Banks did not feel pretty enough or that she fit the mould, so placed an emphasis on training. She thought Japan or Mexico could become a reality since the bra and panty matches did not appeal to her. She loved the sport of it.
Steve Austin referred to Eddie Guerrero as one of the greatest to ever do it and wanted to know what drew Sasha to him. Banks felt there was an instant connection to him and couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but he felt genuine. Steve praised Eddie as remarkably creative and loved his character work.
Steve asked, “What would Mercedes be doing if you never got into the business of Sports Entertainment as Sasha Banks?” The Boss admitted, she had to make it since there was no Plan B. Previously, she was working at a hotel, shoe store and Gold’s Gym, but knew this would be her only profession.
Sasha trained at Chaotic Wrestling and had three different trainers. One of her trainers now wrestles as Ivar in WWE as part of The Viking Raiders. It was here where she learned the basics. Sasha noted being afraid she would knock herself out during her first bump. The two discussed how the roles hurt like a bitch. Despite this, Sasha loved it. Her first bump wasn’t great, but following camp, she practiced the flat-back bump at home using a mattress until she rapidly improved.
Sasha was annoyed that one of the owners of Chaotic Wrestling was choosing other wrestlers to appear as extras in WWE, so she Googled “Who is Talent Relations in WWE?” She saw the email, clicked it and asked to be an extra. One hour later, there was a response, and it was done.
Steve asked what WWE taught Sasha that she previously did not know during her two years of independent wrestling. Sasha revealed, “Everything.” They stripped her apart and rebuilt her from the ground up. The people who taught her the most were Dusty Rhodes, Norman Smiley and Joey Mercury. If it wasn’t for those three, Sasha Banks wouldn’t be the person she is today.
Sasha is a natural leader and always leads the matches.
Steve asked about the influence of Dusty Rhodes. Austin admitted that the magic of Dusty was a big reason why he got into the business.
Dusty gave Sasha so much confidence and gave her a sense of belief. At the Performance Center, there are eyes on you 24/7, but if you have a goal, you will do anything to grasp it. Sasha was very nervous about speaking her truth, which Dusty brought out of her.
Steve throws a clip of a very young Sasha Banks cut a promo. While her confidence has grown leaps and bounds, you could tell something special was present during that early promo. She had IT.
Steve would ask, “Who came up with the Sasha Banks name?” Sasha would reveal that she wrote down many names with Sasha as the first name and Banks as the last name. One day, Sara Del Ray (trainer at the WWE PC) entered the locker room and said, “You’re Sasha Banks.” Her mom thought it was a porn star's name.
Steve believes the entire Boss presentation screams Superstar and translates to money.
In 2013, Sasha feared being released and felt she was on the chopping block. Tyler Breeze, who was a big help, suggested writing down a list of characters. Xavier Woods also got involved. Tyler Breeze and Xavier Woods went out of their way to help so many people. Sasha made five different characters with five different backgrounds. The first was The Boss, which derived from being a cousin of Snoop Dogg. Everyone calls him The Boss, so she decides to turn it up. Sasha brought the character to NXT and nobody understood it except for Dusty Rhodes. She paused to say, this is going to make her cry. It’s precisely what Dusty wanted, and I instructed her to keep on doing this every week. That’s where the sassy Sasha Banks was born. Dusty was the only one with the vision to see where she could take it.
Sasha Banks quickly caught on to wrestling based on renting every wrestling DVD from Blockbuster. It wasn’t necessarily natural or easy, but there was a purpose.
Once you have a character, promos become much more natural since you’re putting yourself in different situations since you know the outcome.
Steve revealed that when he settled on Stone Cold, that was where he found the base to make decisions and move forward.
The combination between Becky, Charlotte, Bayley and Sasha is brought up. It wasn’t competitive between them all, but Sasha and Charlotte were highly competitive. Despite being close, they pushed each other. From the moment they locked up in FCW, Sasha and everyone else could see it was magic. Steve was impressed she brought this up since a lock-up is such a fundamental move and a classic way to kick off a match.
Sasha credited Bayley with changing the way she viewed WWE, which Steve probed for more information. Banks hailed Bayley as special and said that she changed the dynamic of the locker room since it was very much dog-eat dog to be the champion. Sasha admitted how she would not be the person she is today without Bayley.
Steve throws a clip of NXT TakeOver: Rival, which featured a Fatal 4-Way Match for the NXT Women's Championship between Sasha, Charlotte, Becky and Bayley. The two banter about the match. Steve loves the knee drop in the corner with the opponent laid across the ropes. It was Goldust who helped Sasha come up with it. This first championship victory felt very real to her.
Steve loves Sasha as a heel and prefers it over a babyface. Sasha preferred being babyface until she gained a chip on a shoulder then the momentum switched to where she can bring out her genuine emotions as a heel. Is it natural? Sasha doesn’t think so, but it’s fun.
Steve wanted to know where the Bank Statement came from and the origin of the name. Her finisher started as a Backstabber until a trainer suggested that she flip the opponent over into a crossface.
Steve asked how she felt about being considered one of the Four Horsewomen. Sasha feels it signified change. At the time, the main roster wasn’t receiving the same representation as the men were receiving. NXT lead the way for this to occur.
Steve asks Sasha what differentiates between being a Diva and being a WWE Superstar. Sasha brought up how she used to receive flack for her opinion, but she hated the Butterfly Title. “Would Steve Austin, John Cena, or Roman Reigns wear it? No. So, don’t treat us any differently.”
Some of Steve’s favourite matches are Sasha Banks vs Bayley. Sasha noted that Bayley is truly her partner.
Steve throws to photos of the NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn featuring the NXT Women’s Championship match between Bayley and Sasha. Austin believes this was a legitimate 5-Star match. Although someone lost the match, they both came out looking like a million bucks. To this day, Sasha considers this one of the best reactions she has ever received. At this point, she was called up to the main roster but wanted to leave her imprint in NXT. She was competing against her best friend and wanted to leave such an impact. Sasha dreamt of the match the evening before. Based on her entrance, Sasha knew this was going to be easy. The match was a game-changer.
In preparation for the Iron Woman match against Bayley, Sasha focused heavily on increasing her cardio. Clips from the match are shown, including Sasha ripping the bow off little Izzy, sitting in the front row. Sasha’s goal is always to ensure that women’s matches are no longer a popcorn or bathroom break. Steve praises the little nuances, such as Sasha stomping Bayley’s hands as she reached for the rope. After the match, the entire NXT locker room is shown clapping on stage with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Willian Regal out front. Regal hands her a bouquet, and she collapses to the ground crying.
The day Sasha made her main roster debut, she was incredibly nervous.
Steve asked about the Boss's entrance, where she shows off her rings on the apron, which he loves. Sasha notes receiving those Boss rings and showing them off. “Look at me.”
Steve asked if she felt alienated in the main roster locker room. Despite doing Diva matches, she had formed relationships with Naomi and Tamina. Those two, in particular, ensured she was safe and protected. At the time, it was the last of the sharks in the water mentality where bags would end up in the shower or toilet, but Naomi and Tamina watched over her.
WrestleMania 32 is brought up for the newly created WWE Women’s Championship. An image is shown of Snopp in the background. Sasha and Snoop did not spend much time together growing up, but their relationship is very different now. Sasha noted how iconic Snoop Dogg has become. Steve points out how monumental this moment was in front of a massive audience.
Stone Cold enjoys watching Triple Threat matches but is not fond of participating, so he asks her thoughts. Sasha would point out that it depends on who you are in there with. She enjoys matches that make her mind think differently, especially a new concept. The bump where Sasha dives through the ropes and comes up short only to roll through is shown. Steve would jump in to say, “Sometimes, your bumps scare the shit out of me!” Sasha responded, “Good, that’s what I want.”
Sasha hates the chops, which Steve agrees with.
Sasha also loves wrestling Becky too.
The footage is shown after the match between Sasha and Steve. Sasha is in his arms, feeling that she sucked as Steve reassures her that he loves the match and that she looks great. “No Sasha. Keep your head held high. You’re badass. You’re money.” Steve would tell her in the footage.
Sasha was ultra-critical following her matches but has improved on that.
Photos of Sasha Banks winning the Women’s Championship during the main event of Raw at the Staples Center were featured, which she considers a career highlight.
Sasha believes the current SmackDown Women’s Division is the best ever. She loves seeing how many different women from different backgrounds are currently signed.
The first Women’s Hell in a Cell match is shown. When the cage comes down, there’s intimidation. Based on her size and stature, Sasha was very nervous. She’s been in three, but it would be perfectly fine if she wasn’t in a fourth.
The only nagging injury Sasha has after all these years is that her hip hurts, which is an injury from Hell in a Cell against Becky Lynch. She takes care of herself, but this is the best she has felt.
Steve Austin brought up the Royal Rumble and having won three of them while also getting tossed out early in his first, despite supposed to be in the Final 4. He wanted her thoughts on the first Women’s Royal Rumble in 2018. “I couldn’t believe it was real when they told us.” She was even more excited when she was informed that the legends were coming back. The evening before, Sasha prayed that she would be the first entrant. This was her only Royal Rumble match, but she would be happy as the 29th entrant next time since it’s hard work. It was surreal when Lita came out with Sasha and Becky in the ring since she did not imagine it would ever become a reality.
Steve wanted Sasha’s thoughts on Ronda Rousey and what she brought to women’s wrestling. Sasha noted how she felt the talent was here, and she wanted that spot, but Ronda is a household name and put in the work. Ronda entered the locker room humble.
Steve pointed out a quote from Ronda explaining how she wanted to wrestle Sasha since she provided many women with their best matches but didn’t quite feel ready. Sasha went into the match with Ronda Rousey with her a chip on her shoulder to remind the office not to forget about her. In preparation for the match, Sasha had to watch more grappling than wrestling and while Ronda did pretty well, she separated Sasha’s shoulder. Looking back, Sasha was proud of it. Banks felt the match blurred the lines since it felt real and took fans on a ride. The separated shoulder occurred at the very end of the match, and Sasha was pissed. She feared it would take her out of the Women’s Tag-Team Elimination Chamber match.
Sasha revealed she did not tell anyone that her shoulder was separated and had to make a Make-a-Wish the following day. She couldn’t move her arm, so she called Bayley to help dress her, straighten her hair and put on makeup. Eventually, she was told an MRI was required, but she never took the time off.
The Women’s Tag-Team Titles were brought up. Sasha found herself in many tag-team matches that lacked meaning and felt fighting over a title would give those matches more meaning. Sasha and Bayley pitched for this weekly.
Sasha admitted that The Elimination Chamber is a tough match since everything hurts. The black padding offers no give, and the chains are legitimately painful. The cross-face with her foot was executed because of the separated shoulder.
At WrestleMania 35, Bayley and Sasha lose the belts in 49 days. Steve asked, “Was this the right call?” Sasha would say you never know, it would be the right call if they followed it up. Since there was no follow-up, the timing likely wasn’t right. At the time, Sasha was going through a rough period and possessed a chip on her shoulder plus a separated shoulder.
Sasha was suffering from depression and lost herself since she stopped hearing her real name, Mercedes and all became Sasha Banks. Travelling on the road, you only receive 1-2 days off at home per week, if you’re lucky, but Sasha couldn’t even see her real hair. She looked into her eyes and noticed they were devoid of light. Steve asked a clarification question if it was business-related, burnout, fatigue, to which Sasha noted it was everything. Sasha needed to take a step away. When approaching Vince, he originally said, no, but said take 30 days to think about it. Ultimately, she took longer.
Sasha travelled to Japan and trained at a dojo for a week before returning to film a commercial. Banks was proud that she took time to re-discover that love for wrestling that had never really disappeared. It was all about positive mental space.
When Sasha returned, it was a completely different vision.
Steve brought up that when he took time away by handling it poorly, he had to do a lot of apologizing, so he wanted to know what the reception was like. Sasha didn’t lose her spot and the reception was very positive since she was missed.
Steve asked about adjusting to the pandemic and no audience. She noted being pissed that WWE posted on Twitter that WrestleMania wouldn’t have an audience without telling any of the wrestlers.
Steve asked about Sasha and Bayley working all three brands as the tag-team champions, which she loved and felt was the opposite of the year prior while reigning as champions. Those moments with Bayley were enjoyable.
In September 2020, Bayley finally turns on Sasha and the photo shows Bayley leaping off the rope to stomp on the chair around her neck. Steve points out how it’s a bit of a Pillmanizer. Sasha feels that the Bayley we see now is better than ever.
Steve points out loving the Hell in a Cell match between Sasha and Bayley. As a babyface, Steve loves the fact Sasha remains aggressive. Both joke that Kendo sticks legitimately hurt. Steve continually praises the match and chemistry between them too. Sasha was nervous since there was no crowd present for the match, but she was in there was her best friend so, they always deliver.
Steve asks, “Do you like yourself better in the chase or with the belt?” Sasha loves defending and being the champion since her previous reigns were shorter, and she never had an opportunity to defend.
Steve brings up The Mandalorian and asks, how? A month after Sasha returned, she received a call for this opportunity. They approached her through a direct message on Instagram. Jon Favreau, the director, really enjoyed her work. He Facetimed Sasha and wanted to write a role for her. He was more than willing to accommodate Sasha’s hectic WWE schedule since he just wanted her in the film.
Steve wanted to know if this opportunity opened more doors. “The phone is ringing,” is what Sasha revealed.
With so many firsts, what’s left for Sasha Banks to accomplish? She wants to be the best and, down the road, a shareholder with WWE. Her goal is to help the company grow and elevate the talent, both men and women. Sasha has transitioned from being a super fan in the business to a legitimate businesswoman. Sasha joked about going from eating pizza to eating steak with vegetables like Vince McMahon because she can.
Sasha noted that she is very proud of the young Mercedes and grateful for saying no, not putting up with shit and working hard.
Steve inquired about what advice she would give to aspiring or new wrestlers at the PC. “It’s up to them. They have to go for it.” She advises that if you want to be a businesswoman or make money, see where the people are who are doing it at that time and switch it up to your own. Sasha talks to Vince and Triple H and has paid attention to The Rock, John Cena, Batista, Roman Reigns, and Paul Heyman. She puts in the work and hasn’t changed.
Steve concluded the interview by once again stating that Sasha is one of his all-time favourites and loves the gimmick, persona, and work. The two cheers, and that’s a wrap.
Sasha Banks' meteoric rise to the pinnacle of professional wrestling is a testament to her unwavering passion, relentless pursuit of excellence, and unparalleled work ethic that has propelled her to unrivalled success over the past year. Fans of Sasha will find this interview captivating and enlightening, as it unveils previously unknown facets of her remarkable journey.
