Sasha Banks' moment of glory came in surprising fashion and Mick Foley wouldn't have it any other way.
It had first appeared that "The Boss" would capture the Women's Championship at WrestleMania 32 back in April in a Triple Threat Match with then-champion Charlotte and Becky Lynch. Banks didn't walk out of AT&T Stadium with gold and wasn't even involved in the decision.
After she disappeared for a lengthy period only to resurface on television again last month, it was expected then that the former NXT Women's Champion would win the WWE's biggest prize at SummerSlam.
The Aug. 21 spectacle takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn -- the very same place she stole the show with Bayley at NXT Takeover last year.
For the first "Monday Night RAW" of the New Era following the draft and brand extension, the WWE needed something to create a buzz. As it turned out, Banks was that something.
The pink-haired Superstar defeated Charlotte to capture the Women's Championship in a moment that was as unexpected as it was deserved. Banks hasn't been given a chance to shine on the main roster after stealing the show in NXT, but the title win was the culmination of how hard she worked to break out of the funk she was placed in upon arrival to the main roster.
Foley, the new general manager of "RAW" under commissioner Stephanie McMahon, wrote a blog post about Bank's victory, while sharing his emotions over the big moment.
"In the aftermath of WWE title changes, I have seen balloons dropped by the hundreds, confetti raining down from high above, great displays of pyrotechnics and entire rosters rushing the ring to share in the moment of glory," Foley began in his post on Facebook. "I was personally given a ride atop the shoulders of DX, after my first WWE title win, in addition to having Mr. McMahon and his evil cronies ringside to witness the moment, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
"Sasha Banks WWE Women's Championship victory on this past WWE Raw - a thrilling contest with Charlotte - featured none of the of the obvious pomp and circumstance of so many historic title changes, but backstage, was one of the most emotional experiences I have ever witnessed - in wrestling, in sports, or in life. Please allow me to take you on a backstage tour in the moments leading up to, and following the victory, and see it all through my eyes."
Foley then shared how the match unfolded before him. It started with just the "Hardcore Legend" checking in on the match on a monitor backstage and led to him and Seth Rollins discussing whether or not the title would change hands.
Soon enough, a gaggle of Superstars were gathered around the monitor in the men's locker room, according to Foley, actively rooting for Banks to win the bout. Foley described the roller coaster of emotions -- which included nervousness over a possible injury for Banks during a through the ropes dive -- and then the joy of watching her make Charlotte tap out.
"She hits the back-stabber, and then the Banks statement and moments later, she is the new WWE Women's Champion," Foley wrote. "A wave of pure joy sweeps over the room. We have been through quite a journey together in the last few minutes - an emotional roller-coaster, where excitement and anticipation were replaced by fear, then relief, and finally euphoria. "Let's go!", I hear Big E say, and with that, all three members of New Day are running for the curtain that leads to the fabled "Gorilla position" - the spot where WWE Superstars make their entrances and exits - named in honor of WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon. I follow suit - just not quite as speedily - and by the time I reach Gorilla, a line has already formed, eager to greet and congratulate the Boss."
Banks will head to Brooklyn and SummerSlam for a rematch with Charlotte, but no matter what the outcome of that clash is, Foley seems as though he'll never forget the night "The Boss" captured the gold.
"There were no balloons, confetti, displays of brilliant pyrotechnics or in-ring celebrations to commemorate this title victory," he wrote. "But looking around this room, at the smiles, the hugs, the tears, I realize that I have never seen so many people so genuinely happy at another person's success. And I know that I will never forget this night - when the little girl who never stopped dreaming, who refused to take no for an answer, who made the words "be so good they can't ignore you" her mantra in life, became the NEW WWE Women's Champion."
A photo posted by Sasha Banks (@sashabankswwe) on Jul 27, 2016 at 5:05am PDT
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