Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, recently shared her thoughts on WWE RAW’s transition from a three-hour to a two-hour format. Moné, a former RAW Women’s Champion, has had extensive experience performing on the weekly show and voiced her mixed feelings on the change during a recent interview.
While she acknowledged that the decision to shorten RAW could lead to a more concise and engaging show, Moné also expressed concerns that the reduced air time could negatively impact the development of talent. She highlighted how a three-hour format provided more opportunities for superstars to showcase their skills, especially newer or underutilized talent who often struggle to get screen time. “We all know how valuable those extra minutes can be to elevate stories and give wrestlers a chance to stand out,” Moné said.
At the same time, she admitted that the reduction could force WWE to focus more on quality over quantity, leading to tighter storylines and better pacing for matches. She noted that some fans had complained about the three-hour format being too long and leading to fatigue, which might have detracted from the overall experience.
Moné also reflected on her own experience on RAW, explaining how the three-hour format had given her the platform to rise through the ranks and become one of the top performers in WWE. “It wasn’t always easy,” she said. “But those extra hours gave me the time I needed to connect with the fans and build my character.”
The former WWE star ultimately believes that while there are pros and cons to the change, the key will be how WWE utilizes the extra time they do have. “If they can use the two-hour format to really showcase the best of what they have to offer, it could be a great thing for the company,” Moné said.
Since leaving WWE, Mercedes Moné has continued her wrestling career in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and other ventures. However, her ties to WWE remain strong, and her opinion on the product carries significant weight within the wrestling community.