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Arts & Entertainment

Sasha Banks on changing the game of women's wrestling, and WrestleMania memories with Snoop Dogg and Ric Flair

With WrestleMania on the horizon, WWE Diva Sasha Banks is preparing for a triple threat match against Charlotte and Becky Lynch for the Diva's championship. Here she tells her story of coming full circle with her fellow members of the 'Diva's Revolution,' her favorite match of her career, and WrestleMania memories with Snoop Dogg...

I know this isn't the first WrestleMania you're going to be involved in, but it's going to be your first main event match. What are you feeling heading into it?

Banks: I'm beyond excited. This has been a dream of mine since I was 10. I always pictured myself wrestling at WrestleMania, and now I'm here finally, doing it for the Diva's title, I couldn't dream for anything else. It's amazing.

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What does it mean to be involved in a match with Charlotte and Becky Lynch, two of the other key pieces of the 'Diva's Revolution?'

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Banks: It's - I've got goosebumps just thinking about it - It's so crazy to see what this time has evolved into. We were in the 'Diva's Revolution,' I was on a different team than them, but we're kind of all brought back together to face each other in such a big event, the biggest there is, and to be with them I am beyond excited. We just need Bayley up here after that - but I am stoked.

On her matchup with Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn...

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Banks: That has to be my favorite match of all-time. Going into that match I thought that was going to be my last match at NXT...And that was the first TakeOver out of Florida, so just the atmosphere of that crowd - there's nothing like a WWE crowd, they're absolutely amazing - but an NXT crowd is unbelievable. And just to know that we were part of a main event, people came out to see our match. That's so exciting just because 10 years ago people called the women's match a bathroom break. People paid for tickets to see that match, and I had to give them the show of my life. That's exactly what I'm going to do at WrestleMania, too. I'm here to make a name for myself, and leave a statement.

On her wrestling inspirations growing up...

Banks: Well, growing up I actually wasn't a big fan of the girls. I liked Lita, I liked Trish, I loved Jacqueline and Molly Holly, but they would go back to doing the 'bra and panties' matches sometimes, and being a little girl I'm like, 'I don't want to do that.' So, I really looked up to the guys. I loved Eddie Guerrero, he was my favorite...I really enjoyed watching Victoria, Molly Holly, Jacqueline, but it's crazy how it just comes back around like Trish and Lita were pretty much where we're at. Me and Bayley are trying to be like Trish and Lita - how high they were. It's crazy just to know that we're trying to change the game of women's wrestling, and inspire young women to want to be a Diva in the WWE, and I think we're doing that.

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With the announcement that WWE is returning to Orlando for next year's WrestleMania - that's the last WrestleMania where someone you're familiar with, Snoop Dogg, stepped into the ring. Has he given you any tips for performing at WrestleMania?

Banks: Well, actually, I was at that WrestleMania with him because I begged him to let me go with him. So, I was backstage right before he went out, and it's so crazy, right before Snoop Dogg went out is when Ric Flair came back from his retirement match. So, it's crazy how things happen like that, and now I'm wrestling Charlotte at WrestleMania, and I'm pretty sure Ric Flair will be out there. I don't know if I should bring Snoop Dogg with me, but that would be awesome. Snoop is a huge wrestling fan, and he's just always given me advice on doing what you want to do. If this is your dream, you have to go out there and you have to grab it and you have to make people take notice. I haven't talked to him yet about WrestleMania, but you never know what's going to be in the works.

On any special career memories in Dallas...

Banks: I know I've wrestled in Dallas before, but we travel so much I actually can't remember at all. But I'm sure this WrestleMania will be the biggest moment in my life, and it will probably go down in history - so, of course I'm going to remember Dallas forever.

On any grand upgrades for the WrestleMania entrance of 'The Boss'...

Banks: Oh, you'll definitely see something special. I won't tell you, but it'll be special. You'll have to watch and see.

Words of wisdom for young female wrestlers trying to make it in the business...

Banks: The biggest thing I can say is don't ever let anybody tell you 'no' or 'you can't do it' because I've been told no so many times, and I always kept coming back because it's been my dream to be here. You can never give up on your dreams. If it's your dream, you have to go out there and grab it.