Fans have every right to boo who they despise and cheer who they love; that's what makes being a professional wrestling fan so much fun. That said, the WWE Universe doesn't grow tired, nor can they seem to find enough ways to trash Sasha Banks, Bayley, and the WWE creative team for decisions to book the duo as annoying heels who cheat to win, have no morals and hold all the gold.After Banks' recent win on Monday Night Raw — one that brought with it the official title of Raw Women's Champion — fans have taken to bashing The Boss. Many are claiming the booking decisions surrounding Sasha are questionable at best, downright awful at worst. Bayley hasn't gotten much love either, as fans have labeled the former hugger annoying, pompous and arrogant. Many suggest she's certainly not worthy of contention for the longest-reigning women's champion in WWE history. Is it possible this very vocal contingent of fans have it all wrong?
Why So Much Hate For Banks and Bayley?
At Extreme Rules, the duo tried to claim the Raw Women's Championship after Bayley literally stole the shirt off the official's back and counted to three in favor of her best friend. WWE didn't clarify during that pay-per-view whether or not Banks was actually the new champion, a decision which confused fans and sent them into a rage on social media. All anyone seemed to know was that Banks's ring music was heard blaring through the near-empty arena, and the timekeeper had rung the bell.
Most fans understood that the decision couldn't possibly stand, but somehow, many convinced themselves WWE would let it slide, insulting everyone's intelligence.
It wasn't until a social media post by WWE and an official announcement the next night on Raw by Stephanie McMahon that fans learned Banks was not the champion. Instead, a match would take place between Banks and Asuka to crown the official champ the following week. The rules were simple: any win, regardless of how it came about, meant the winner would become the titleholder.
On Raw, the two superstars met in the ring. Ultimately Bayley distracted Asuka towards the backstage area, allowing Banks to steal the title via count-out. It's an ultimate heel maneuver by Banks. Not only did she win by count-out, something seen as cowardly (as she did not actually pin the champ) but she won because of rules Asuka had agreed to -- forsaking her champion's advantage allowed The Boss all the opportunity she needed to steal a win.
This Is Perfect Heel Stuff
While the cheap and unethical scheming by the two heels can, and likely will, drive fans crazy, WWE has booked these two to perfection. As heels, you're meant to hate Bayley and Sasha. If you do, that means both women are doing their jobs. It's a similar case to another heel: Baron Corbin. Corbin is universally hated on SmackDown, but you're supposed to hate him - he's the "bad guy."
Some respect needs to be paid to the new champions and they simply aren't getting it. Their plans are working, everyone is talking, and you want to see them get what they deserve. The best "bad guys" in the business know how to push buttons. These two may just be the best "bad girls" WWE has seen in decades.
There's nothing more frustrating than two people calling themselves great or suggesting they're the new definition of greatness, but never actually winning things fair and square. Of course, Banks is proud of her actions; she holds the title, after all. That's the end goal of any good heel, regardless of how that title gets around their waist.
WWE Is Not Wrong Here
The argument that the finish to Banks vs. Asuka at Extreme Rule was embarrassing between is absurd. First, the idea was to get fans to tune into Raw. A lot of the WWE Universe probably did. Second, heels still have to act like bad guys, even if there's a chance their plans don't pan out. Sure, most will argue Bayley should have known the decision would never stand, and in doing what she did, robbed her friend of a chance to win the title.
Still, like Jesse "the Body" Ventura used to say, "It's only cheating if you get caught." Remember, this is the same company that had Ted "Million Dollar Man" DiBiase simply buy the WWE Championship from Andre the Giant. Was DiBiase hated? Of course. It was perhaps the lowest way somebody could win a championship. At the same time, DiBiase was the guy everyone absolutely loved to hate.
Perhaps sitting back and enjoying how good Banks and Bayley have become at their respective roles would give fans an appreciation for how hard it is to do what these two have done: getting everyone to hate them despite long being fan-favorites. It certainly seems that Two Belts Bayley and Banks are enjoying it.