In this week’s WWE column, Mirror Sport has changed things up as we provide you with a feature on Sasha Banks and Naomi, the women’s tag team champions. The pair captured the titles at WrestleMania last month and the ecstasy etched on both their faces was clear to see. The duo's bond stretches as far back as 2015 when they formed an exciting trio with Tamina called Team B.A.D, wreaking havoc throughout the women’s division.
Seven years after their initial union, Banks and Naomi, nicknamed 'The Boss and Glow', are back together and stronger than ever, and they want their reign to be one to remember. Explaining the importance of strong relationships with each other and their peers, Naomi told Mirror Sport during a press conference on Friday: “It’s everything, I’m definitely a person that feeds off of energy and vibes.
“There are times where I don’t wake up feeling my strongest or my best every day.” Looking at Banks, she added: “But having a partner there that motivates you and says ‘come on girl we got this’, and then we get out there and she’s talking to me and we end up putting on a five-star match.
“It’s because I have a partner there with me to be able to get me through it. I think that’s very important to have in a tag team and to have each other’s back and lift each other up even when you aren’t on your best day.” Banks added: "She’s my sister who I share so much history with and someone that I respect so much.
“It’s been so amazing thus far. Having these tag team titles, we have so much more that we want to do and so many more doors that we want to open. We’re just getting started and I’m so excited to see what’s next to us.” The superstar team made history at WrestleMania by becoming the first team of two black women to win the tag titles. Both Sasha and Naomi are symbols for change and representation in the WWE and they commented on their responsibility as role models and how much they enjoy inspiring the next generation.
“It’s incredible. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe how much history I’ve made in such a short amount of time,” Banks shared. “Every time I perform I see little girls and boys of all races, dress like us and we get to inspire them to be more. I see their dreams come alive when we walk out there. It’s a dream come true to be a role model.”
“I think it’s given me so much purpose,” Naomi added. “Seeing how what I do means so much to people, I never understood that before. But with where I’m at now, I know the impact and I know what it means. It inspires me and it makes me want to continue to make good choices about my career and my performance, and to continue to be here for these fans and inspire.”
So far they have defeated the now defunct team of Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan, former champions, Shayna Bazler and Natayla during the live at the show at the O2 Arena on Friday and of course took the titles from Queen Zelina and Carmella at WrestleMania. Now the pair are looking for new competition and even called out their male counterparts, as well some of the UK’s brightest talents.
“We want Rk-Bro, we want the Usos,” Naomi chuckled before her partner and former Raw women’s champion said: “I feel like we are the best tag team in the world. We’re looking for everyone. If there’s anyone in NXT UK, we’ll accept any challenge. It’s up to the competitors out there, we’re looking for a fight, it’s up to you.”
Also on the Showcase of the Immortals, Logan Paul made his WWE debut and teamed up with Miz to defeat Rey and Dominick Mysterio. Banks and Naomi shared their thoughts on the YouTuber’s performance, with the latter admitting her scepticism when he arrived.
“First of all it was awesome. I’m always sceptical when outside people come in. This is our world, this our art, this is our craft, we our our whole lives into it,” the two-time SmackDown women’s champion said. "When outside people come in I want to make sure they know what they're getting into and they respect it, and I definitely feel like he did that, especially after watching his performance and hearing what he had to say.”
“I thought he did a really good job and to be in a match with a legend like Rey Mysterio, I was so jealous! But he did a great job,” Banks shared.
