Sasha Banks

Sasha Banks

Banks in March 2015
Birth name Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado[1]
Born January 26, 1992[1]
Fairfield, California, United States[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Mercedes KV[1]
Miss Mercedes[1]
Sasha Banks
Billed height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[2]
Billed weight 114 lb (52 kg)[1]
Billed from Boston, Massachusetts[2]
Cambridge, Massachusetts[3]
Trained by Brian Fury[1]
Brian Milonas[1]
Todd Smith[1]
Debut 2010[1]

Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado (born January 26, 1992) is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs in their developmental system NXT under the ring name Sasha Banks and is the current NXT Women's Champion.

Professional wrestling career

Chaotic Wrestling (2010–2012)

Mercedes KV started her wrestling career in Chaotic Wrestling, where she was trained.[1] She made her in ring debut on October 1, 2010 in an intergender tag team match, where she teamed with Nikki Roxx in a losing effort to Alexxis and Danny E. Mercedes and Roxx quickly formed an alliance, teaming together regularly and accompanying each other to ringside.[4] On October 22, Mercedes lost her debut singles match to Danny E.,[5] and lost a rematch to him on November 13.[4]

Mercedes in January 2012

On January 7, 2011, Mercedes got her first victory when she and Roxx defeated Alexxis and Mistress Belmont in a tag team match. On February 11, Mercedes took part in a five-women gauntlet match to determinate the inaugural Chaotic Wrestling Women's Champion, but was unsuccessful.[4] She continued competing in singles matches throughout the remainder of 2011, and on December 2, Mercedes defeated Alexxis in an "I Quit" match to win the Chaotic Wrestling Women's Championship for the first time.[1][4][6]

KV made her first successfully title defense against Barbie on January 6.[1][4] KV faced off against Luscious Latasha with Women's Championship on the line on January 27, where KV successfully defended the title.[1][7] KV successfully defended Women's Championship against Alexxis in a rematch.[1][8] She successfully defended the Women's Championship twice against Nikki Roxx.[1][4] On June 1, Mercedes defeated Alexxis, Barbie and Mistress Belmont in a fatal four–way match to retain the championship. Following her win, Mercedes became the longest reigning Chaotic Wrestling Women's Champion in history by breaking Alexxis's previous record of 182 days.[9] On June 24, KV successfully defended the Women's Championship against Barbie.[1] On July 20, Mercedes KV defeated Aida Marie to successfully retain the Women's Championship. KV faced off against Kasey Ray with Women's Championship on the line on August 17, where KV successfully defended the title.[1] KV made her final appearance for Chaotic Wrestling on August 18, where she lost to Ivy Fit in a non-title match.[1] On August 18, the Women's Championship was declared vacant after Mercedes signed a contract with WWE, ending her reign at 260 days.[1]

Other promotions (2010–2012)

Mercedes in 2012

On August 8, 2010, Mercedes made her debut in New England Championship Wrestling (NECW), teaming with Ivy in a winning effort defeating the team of Ariel and Sammi Lane in a tag team match.[1] She returned to the promotion on September 4, 2011, again teaming with Ivy defeating Mistress Belmont and Veda Scott.[1] On September 23, KV defeated Mistress Belmont in a singles match.[1][10] KV once again returned to the promotion on July 14, 2012 at the Red White and Bruised event, where she was defeated by Adrianna via countout.[1][11]

KV under the ring name Miss Mercedes, debuted for National Wrestling Alliance on November 19, 2010, where she faced Julian Starr in an losing effort.[1] On the following two nights, Miss Mercedes defeated Sheik Ali and Nick Fahrenheit in singles matches.[1] Miss Mercedes began to feud with The Great Cheyenne, losing to her on several occasions.[1] On August 9, Mercedes faced Arlene in a singles match, where Mercedes emerged victorious.[1]

WWE

NXT (2012–present)

In June 2012, Kaestner-Varnado participated in a WWE tryout camp and on August 18, it was announced that she had been signed to a contract.[12] She was sent to NXT, WWE's developmental territory, where she adopted the ring name Sasha Banks. She made her television debut on NXT on December 12, 2012, losing to Paige.[13][14] Banks' first televised win on NXT was on the January 23, 2013, episode by defeating Alicia Fox.[15][16] Banks then entered a storyline where she received letters from a secret admirer, who was eventually revealed to be the evil Audrey Marie, who returned and attacked Banks on the February 20 episode of NXT due to Marie's jealousy of Banks' success; Marie went on to defeat Banks in a match later that episode.[17][18][19] Banks' feud with Marie ended on the April 3 episode of NXT, when Banks teamed with Paige to defeat Marie and Summer Rae.[20][21] On the June 19 episode of NXT, Banks competed in the NXT Women's Championship Tournament to determine the inaugural champion but lost to Summer Rae in the first round.[22]

After weeks of influence by Summer Rae to make herself relevant, Banks was defeated by NXT Women's Champion Paige on the September 11 episode of NXT. After the match, Paige attempted to console Banks leading to Banks attacking Paige.[23] Two weeks later, she defeated Bayley, while accompanied by Rae. After the match, Banks cut a promo with Rae and debuted a new gimmick as "The Boss of NXT".[1][24] Banks and Rae, now known as the "BFFs (Beautiful, Fierce Females)", faced Paige and Emma on the October 16 episode of NXT, where they emerged victorious when Rae pinned Paige.[25] On the November 13 episode of NXT, The BFFs defeated Bayley and Charlotte in a tag team match, when Charlotte attacked Bayley and aligned herself with Banks and Rae.[26] In mid-January 2014, as Rae had moved up to the main roster, the BFF's started a rivalry with Bayley, who had aligned herself with Natalya, and lost in both singles and tag team matches.[27][28][29] On April 6, Banks made an appearance at WrestleMania XXX as a part of Triple H's entrance for his match against Daniel Bryan.[30] In May, Banks entered a tournament for the vacant NXT Women's Championship, defeating Bayley in the first round but losing to Natalya in the semi-finals.[31][32] On the July 3 episode of NXT, Banks and Charlotte defeated Bayley and Becky Lynch. After the match, Charlotte left Banks to get attacked by Bayley, with Banks officially disbanding the team in a backstage segment.[33]

On the August 14 episode of NXT, Banks lost to Bayley in a match to determine the number one contender to the NXT Women's Championship.[34] At NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way, Banks attacked Bayley after her title match with Charlotte, before Charlotte stopped her.[35] Becky Lynch turned on Bayley and aligned herself with Banks on the October 23 episode of NXT, after Banks defeated Bayley in a singles match.[36] Banks promptly began feuding with Charlotte, leading to a match between the two at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution for the NXT Women's Championship, which Banks lost.[37] She received a rematch on the December 25 episode of NXT, where she was once again unsuccessful.[38] Banks made her first appearance on the main roster on the December 30 episode of Main Event, where she lost to Charlotte in a non-title match.[39]

On January 21, 2015, Banks received another title match against Charlotte, which she lost after Becky Lynch attacked Charlotte, causing a disqualification and that would lead to dissension between Banks and Lynch.[40] On February 11, at NXT TakeOver: Rival, Banks won the NXT Women's Championship by pinning Charlotte in a fatal four-way match that also involved Lynch and Bayley.[41] Banks successfully retained her championship against Charlotte in a rematch on the March 4 episode of NXT;[42] and against Alexa Bliss on March 25.[43]

Personal life

Kaestner-Varnado is a cousin of Snoop Dogg. She is a fan of K-pop music and the anime Sailor Moon.[44]

In wrestling

Banks applying a submission hold on Paige

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 1.29 1.30 1.31 1.32 1.33 1.34 1.35 "Sasha Banks". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Banks "Sasha Banks bio". WWE. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Mercedes KV". Chaotic Wrestling. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Chaotic Wrestling". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  5. ↑ "CW: October 22, 2010". cagematch. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Chaotic Wrestling title histories". Chaotic Wrestling. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  7. ↑ "CW: Cold Fury 11". cagematch. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
  8. ↑ "CW Cold Fury Fallout Tour". cagematch. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  9. ↑ "CW Breaking Point 2012". cagematch. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  10. ↑ "NECW Rise = Events Database = CAGEMATCH". CAGEMATCH. Retrieved 2001–2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ↑ "NECW Red White & Bruised". CAGEMATCH. Retrieved 2001–2013. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (August 18, 2012). "SAT.UPDATE: Counts dismissed in UFC lawsuit against New York, Stars at WWE party, TNA star wedding on TV tonight; Angle being rushed to conclusion, Rousey, A.J., 2 new WWE signings, Pick tonight's rating on TV". Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  13. ↑ Bishop, Matt (December 13, 2012). "WWE NXT: Rollins defends against Mahal". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT Report: Mahal versus Rollins for the NXT title (the band is playing but there is no Shield); Dusty addresses the bounty situation; Ohno and Kruger talk about trophies; and more". PWInsider. Retrieved December 13, 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Bishop, Matt (January 24, 2013). "WWE NXT: HBK kicks off tag title tournament". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT report: Shawn Michaels makes an announcement; tag team tournament; former tag partners battles; a new challenge for Big E Langston; and more". PWInsider. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  17. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Results 2/13 – Week 33: First NXT tag champions crowned, Paige vows to take over the show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  18. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Results 2/20: Big E. in main event, Kidd injury speech, Wyatt Family Feud, Overall Reax to strong episode". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT Report: Bray Wyatt returns to the ring; el return of El Local; Divas drama and action; and the NXT title picture increases". PWInsider. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
  20. ↑ James, Justin. "James's WWE NXT Results 4/3 – Week 40: Big E. defends NXT Title, final hype for Regal-Ohno, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT report: The Wyatt Family hates Dallas; Regal vs. Ohno is seven days away; Langston versus O'Brian for the NXT title; and more". PWInsider. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT report: Wyatt Family in six man action; women's tournament continues; Zayn/Cesaro III is coming". PWInsider. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 23.6 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: THE SHOW STARTS OFF S-A-W-F-T BUT PICKS UP STEAM WITH WOMEN'S ACTION AND KRUGER VS. WOODS". PWInsider. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: THE BO DALLAS INVITATIONAL ANNOUNCED; THE COO NAMES A NEW GM; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  25. ↑ Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT REPORT: ZAYN VERSUS DALLAS; TAG TITLE REMATCH; DIVAS TAG ACTION; BREEZE VERSUS PARKER". PWInsider. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  26. ↑ Justin James. "James's WWE NXT Report 11/13 – Week 72: Must-see 2/3 Falls main event, Flair's daughter turns, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  27. ↑ Justin James. "James's WWE NXT Report 1/8 – Week 80: NXT tag champs in action, Summer Rae, Tyson Kidd, Rusev, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  28. ↑ Justin James. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 1/15 – Week 81: Triple H makes announcement, Kofi vs. Rusev test match, NXT champ in action, Neville/PAC; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  29. ↑ Justin James. "James's WWE NXT Results 1/22 – Week 82: NXT Title developments heading into live Network episode, plus Miz, Cesaro, Natalya, Woods, Zayn/Generico, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  30. ↑ Caldwell, James (April 6, 2014). "WrestleMania 30 PPV Results (Hour 4): Divas Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
  31. ↑ Namako, Jason. "SPOILERS: WWE NXT TV Tapings (5/1 to 5/22)". WrestleView. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  32. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "ONGOING WWE NXT REPORT: NXT TAKEOVER ANNOUNCED; BOLIEVE; WOMEN'S TITLE TOURNAMENT BEGINS". PWInsider. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  33. ↑ Justin James. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 7/3 – Week 105: Sami Zayn vs. Justin Gabriel main event, Kidd sit-down interview, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  34. ↑ James, Justin (August 14, 2014). "James' WWE NXT Report 8/14". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  35. ↑ http://www.diva-dirt.com/95568/nxt-takeover-results-charlotte-retains-the-womens-title-shows-her-true-colors/
  36. ↑ Namako, Jason. "WWE NXT Results – 10/23/14 (O'Neil vs. Neville – NXT Title)". WrestleView. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  37. ↑ Caldwell, James (December 11, 2014). "CALDWELL'S WWE NXT TAKEOVER RESULTS 12/11: Ongoing virtual-time coverage of Neville vs. Zayn for the NXT Title, Itami & Balor, Charlotte, Kevin Steen/Owens's debut, Corey Graves retires". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 http://www.pwinsider.com/article/90401/wwe-nxt-report-recapping-2014-plus-a-womens-title-match.html?p=1
  39. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (December 30, 2014). "WWE MAIN EVENT REPORT: NXT WOMEN'S CHAMP IN ACTION; WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPS IN ACTION; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
  40. ↑ James, Justin (January 22, 2015). "James' WWE NXT Report 1/21". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 James, Justin (February 11, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT TAKEOVER REPORT 2/11: Zayn vs. Owens NXT Title match, Women's Title semi-main event, Neville vs. Balor, Itaml; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  42. ↑ James, Justin (March 4, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 3/4 – Week 142: Sasha vs. Charlotte for Women's Title, Crowe's in-ring debut, Alex Riley fires up, message from Sami Zayn, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  43. ↑ James, Justin (March 25, 2015). "JAMES' WWE NXT REPORT 3/25 – Week 145: Owens vs. Balor for NXT Title, Sasha Banks defends Women's Title; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  44. ↑ Saxton, Byron (January 16, 2014). "NXT 10-Count: Sasha Banks". WWE. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  45. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (November 12, 2013). "WWE NXT REPORT: TAG TITLE MATCH; ZAYN VS. KRUGER; MILESTONE EPISODE NEXT WEEK; AND MORE". PWInsider. Sasha with a kick and hits Bankrupt for the three count
  46. ↑ Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: TAG TITLE MATCH; ZAYN VS. KRUGER; MILESTONE EPISODE NEXT WEEK; AND MORE". Retrieved December 11, 2013.
  47. ↑ "WWE NXT results: Tyler Breeze downs Mojo Rawley with a Fujiwara armbar". Sky Sports. October 10, 2014. Banks submitting Becky Lynch with Bank Statement
  48. ↑ Melok, Bobby. "WWE NXT results – Oct. 9, 2014: Sami Zayn takes on Titus O'Neil, The Ascension assaults Funaki". WWE. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Trionfo, Richard. "WWE NXT REPORT: SYLVESTER SAYS BONJOUR; THE WYATT FAMILY SAYS ADIOS; CHARLOTTE SAYS WOOOOO; AND LEO KRUGER SAYS TATA". PWInsider. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 http://www.pwinsider.com/article/87595/wwe-nxt-report-neville-vs-breeze-finally-tag-title-contender-tournament-continues-who-is-the-number-one-contender-for-charlottes-title.html?p=1
  51. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/article/86989/wwe-nxt-report-zaynkidd-vaudevillains-all-over-the-place-tyler-breeze-health-update-and-more.html?p=1
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 http://www.pwinsider.com/article/87891/wwe-nxt-report-main-event-for-takeover-a-new-gm-new-opponents-for-the-ascension-tag-team-main-event-and-more.html?p=1
  53. ↑ Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT report: number one contender match; six Divas in action; The Shield send a message; The Wyatt Family makes their presence known". PWInsider. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT REPORT: CURRENT TAG CHAMPS IN ACTION; FORMER TAG CHAMPS BATTLE; BOLIEVE IT OR NOT . . . SAMI ZAYN PUNISHED BY JBL". PWInsider. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  55. ↑ Trionfo, Richard (March 4, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: NXT WOMEN IN THE MAIN EVENT; AN ANNOUNCER TRADES IN HIS MIC FOR TIGHTS; SAMI ZAYN SPEAKS; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  56. ↑ Trionfo, Richard Trionfo. "WWE NXT REPORT: IF YOU LIKE THE SHIELD, THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU TO WATCH; BIG TITLE MATCH ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT WEEK; KIDD AND GABRIEL VERSUS OHNO AND KRUGER; AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  57. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/article/84243/wwe-nxt-report-bo-dallas-first-match-since-losing-the-title-tag-champs-in-action-rusev-versus-woods-and-more.html?p=1
  58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 58.2 http://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=90154&p=2
  59. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/article/90479/ongoing-wwe-main-event-report-the-cutting-edge-peep-show-gets-a-bit-sour.html?p=1
  60. ↑ "WWE NXT: Sky's The Limit (Sasha Banks) – Single". Apple Inc. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  61. ↑ James, Justin (February 11, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT TAKEOVER REPORT 2/11: Zayn vs. Owens NXT Title match, Women's Title semi-main event, Neville vs. Balor, Itaml; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 12, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes KV.