Why are Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair meeting at SummerSlam?

Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks had an instant classic match at Wrestlemania 37 in Tampa this past April, a barnburner that ended with the former hoisting the Smackdown Women’s title and being anointed as one of the brightest young stars in the company.

Now they’re running it back with “The Boss” trying to get her belt back from the “EST” of WWE at SummerSlam in Las Vegas.

Why are they fighting?

Storyline perspective

Since winning the title at Wrestlemania, Belair has had a successful reign as the champ, solidifying her status on top by warding off the likes of Bayley and Carmella throughout the summer. She stepped into an even bigger spotlight by being one of the primary performers featured when Smackdown went to the Rolling Loud music festival in Miami in July.

During that same period of time, Sasha Banks stepped away from WWE television only to re-emerge on Smackdown a few weeks back. After feigning friendship with Belair, Banks proceeded to stab the “EST” in the back and made her intentions clear that she wants her title back.

Real life perspective

Another big-time match in front of a big-time crowd will do wonders for Belair as she continues to elevate as a potential John Cena-level superstar. For Banks, another classic match here will only enhance her legacy as one of the greatest female performers to ever lace up boots for the company.

Prediction

Sasha Banks

The money is in the chase and while Belair has been killing it as the champion on Smackdown, I can see Banks winning by nefarious means and present a store for the “EST” to try to get her title bank. Be on the lookout for Carmella and Zelina Vega here as well. They aided Banks in a 3-on-1 beatdown of Belair during last week’s episode of Smackdown and there could be an alliance forming for Belair to overcome down the road.