The Boss
People know me as Sasha Banks.
The Boss.
The Legit Boss.
The RAW Women’s Champion.
But that’s only the woman they see when the cameras are rolling.
Outside the WWE, my name is Mercedes Beckham.
Yes...thatBeckham.
David Beckham is my father.
Growing up wasn’t always easy. When I was five years old, my mother walked out of our lives, leaving my dad to raise me on his own. His soccer career meant he spent countless days traveling around the world, so although he wanted to be there for every ballet recital, dance competition, and wrestling practice, he rarely could.
My grandmother never let him miss a moment.
She recorded every performance on an old camcorder and made sure my dad watched every second whenever he came home.
Now that he’s retired, everything has changed.
He’s in the front row whenever he can be.
He tweets before every match.
He still calls me after every show, whether I win or lose.
He’s my biggest fan.
My biggest inspiration.
And the greatest father I could ever ask for.
I’ve also been lucky enough to have incredible friends.
Paige.
Bayley.
They’ve been by my side through every victory and every setback.
Then there’s my fiancé...
The Universal Champion.
Roman Reigns.
The man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with.
Lately...
Things haven’t felt the same.
And maybe...
Just maybe...
Everything is about to change.
Later That Morning
Mercedes smiled as she answered her phone.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, sweetheart,” David replied warmly. “How’s my champion doing?”
“I’m good. How about you?”
“I’m doing great. Just wanted to hear your voice.”
She laughed.
“I’ll be home in about ten weeks anyway. SummerSlam isn’t that far away.”
“It’ll fly by,” David agreed. “Although...I should probably mention something before you hear it online.”
Mercedes frowned.
“What is it?”
“I’m playing in a charity soccer match next weekend.”
She groaned dramatically.
“Dad...promise me you won’t get hurt.”
He laughed.
“I’m not made of glass.”
“No,” she teased. “You’re just old.”
“Old?”
“Very.”
“I raised you better than this.”
She smiled.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. Tell your friends—and Roman—I said hello.”
“I will.”
They hung up, leaving Mercedes smiling as she walked toward the backstage café.
WWE Café
“Morning,” Paige greeted.
Bayley grinned.
“Life’s actually pretty amazing.”
“Oh?” Paige leaned forward. “Tell me everything.”
Bayley lowered her voice.
“You can’t tell anyone...”
Paige crossed her heart.
“I swear.”
“I’m dating Sami Zayn.”
Paige squealed.
“Bayley!”
Mercedes sat down with her breakfast.
“What did I miss?”
Bayley and Paige exchanged guilty looks.
“Nothing,” Paige answered innocently.
Mercedes narrowed her eyes.
“I’ll find out eventually.”
“You definitely will,” Bayley laughed.
The three friends continued talking until WWE producers Mark Carrano and Jane entered the café.
“Morning, ladies.”
“Morning.”
Mark smiled.
“We’ve got storyline updates.”
He turned toward Paige.
“Paige, you’re beginning a rivalry with Nia Jax tonight. It’ll eventually lead to a Falls Count Anywhere Match.”
Paige nodded.
“I like it.”
“Bayley,” Jane continued, “Asuka debuts next week. She’ll interrupt your interview and attack you. That rivalry ends inside a Steel Cage.”
Bayley grinned.
“Finally.”
Then they looked at Mercedes.
“Sasha...”
“You’ll be working with Finn Bálor.”
Her eyebrows shot up.
“Really?”
Jane nodded.
“It starts tonight.”
Mercedes smiled.
“What exactly are we doing?”
Mark exchanged a glance with Jane.
“Honestly...”
“This isn’t Vince’s idea.”
“It isn’t?”
Jane shook her head.
“Finn pitched the entire storyline himself.”
Mercedes blinked.
“So...he’s writing it?”
“With Vince’s approval.”
“What happens after tonight?”
Mark smiled.
“That’s something you’ll have to ask Finn.”
Almost as if on cue...
“Ask me what?”
Finn Bálor walked over, carrying a coffee and sat beside Mercedes.
“Perfect timing,” Paige laughed.
Finn smiled.
“So...”
“I hear we’re partners.”
Mercedes smirked.
“Looks like it.”
“I’ve got some ideas.”
“I’m listening.”
“Not here.”
He took a sip of his coffee.
“Meet me after SmackDown tomorrow during 205 Live.”
She considered it.
“Okay.”
Finn smiled.
“I’ll see you then.”
As he walked away, Paige leaned toward Mercedes.
“I think this is going to be interesting.”
Mercedes couldn’t help smiling.
“So do I.”
Later That Evening
Roman Reigns’ locker room.
Mercedes knocked once before walking inside.
Roman looked up.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead.
“What brings you here?”
“I wanted to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
She hesitated.
“I’ve been given a new storyline.”
“With who?”
“...Finn Bálor.”
Roman’s smile disappeared.
“The guy challenging me for my title?”
She nodded.
“Creative paired us together.”
“What kind of storyline?”
“I’m...not sure.”
He stared at her.
“You don’t know?”
“Finn pitched it.”
Roman frowned.
“So you’re spending time alone with him?”
“Just to discuss ideas.”
His jaw tightened.
“You agreed to that?”
“It’s a huge opportunity.”
“Our relationship should come before your career.”
Mercedes looked away.
“I can’t refuse every storyline I’m given.”
Roman stepped closer.
“Are you meeting him tomorrow?”
“...Yes.”
Silence.
Then—
CRACK.
His hand struck her across the face.
Mercedes stumbled backward, her cheek burning.
Before she could react, Roman grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her to look at him.
“You remember who you’re with?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
He leaned closer.
“If you fall for him...”
“I’ll make sure no one recognizes that pretty face.”
She couldn’t speak.
She simply nodded.
Roman released her.
“Fix your makeup.”
His voice was calm again.
“Kiss me.”
With trembling hands, Mercedes obeyed.
Then she quietly left the locker room.
Outside, she nearly collided with Eva Marie.
Eva folded her arms.
“Rough day?”
Mercedes forced a smile.
“I’m still The Boss.”
Eva shrugged.
“If you say so.”
She walked away.
Mercedes leaned against the hallway wall after she was gone.
Only then did she finally allow herself to cry.
Her phone buzzed.
Finn Bálor
Tomorrow. Same café. Don’t worry...I’ve got an idea.
Mercedes stared at the message for several seconds.
For the first time in a long time...
Someone had unknowingly offered her something she desperately needed.
Hope.
