The era of "The Boss" began a little bit sooner than expected.
Sasha Banks had long been rumored to win the WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam, but her victory over Charlotte occurred this past week on "Monday Night RAW."
It was the first edition of the flagship show following the WWE Draft and brand extension and the New Era for the WWE started out with a bang. While it was expected that Banks' big moment would be preserved for SummerSlam on Aug. 21 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the company awarded her the belt last week.
The reason for that decision -- other than the fact that it helped the WWE create a buzz following the brand extension -- may be a simple one.
The potential reason for Charlotte dropping the belt could have to do with the former champion requesting time off recently, according to Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio (via WrestlingInc).
Charlotte's father, Ric Flair, recently addressed his daughter's combined Divas and Women's Championship reigns surpassing Nikki Bella for longest all-time.
"Until [co-host Conrad Thompson] brought this up, I wasn't even aware of that. That's awesome!" Flair said on his podcast. "I was just so thrilled that she was drafted so high. I mean, being the first woman drafted, as [Thompson] acknowledged on a text to me. And then, of course, we put out a Twitter that she was number three chosen overall and I thought it was fabulous. It speaks volumes for the respect she has built amongst her peers."
As for Banks, it was originally rumored she'd win the gold at WrestleMania 32 back in April in a Triple Threat Match against Charlotte and Becky Lynch, but the WWE opted to keep the gold on Charlotte until this past Monday.
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