Credit: WWE.com
Bianca Belair has remained absent from WWE’s in-ring competition since her electrifying triple threat match at WrestleMania 41, and she has now revealed that a broken finger sustained during that bout is still causing problems nearly six months later. The injury has had a lasting impact on her wrestling career and daily life, forcing the “EST of WWE” to adapt while she continues to recover.
The Injury: WrestleMania 41 Triple Threat Match
The injury occurred during the critically acclaimed WrestleMania 41 women’s triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky, where the WWE Women’s World Championship was defended. Belair described the moment when her finger was broken in vivid detail during a recent interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. While executing a high-risk triple German suplex from the top rope, her hand became trapped underneath Ripley’s body as the two fell awkwardly to the mat.
Belair recounted, “When my hand went back, it got stuck under her, and she literally crashed on my hand.” The damage was severe, including fractures in the joint and the middle of her finger. She even humorously compared the appearance of her injured digit to the iconic finger of E.T. from the movie, saying, “They said my finger looked like it had a kneecap. It was bad”.
Despite the serious nature of the injury, Bianca pushed through the pain to deliver what many fans and critics hail as one of the greatest WWE women’s matches of all time.
Extended Recovery and Current Condition
Following WrestleMania 41 in April, Belair took a prolonged break from wrestling to heal. Her absence from in-ring action has been noticeable, as she has only appeared sporadically, including a referee role at WWE Evolution.
Months later, Belair still experiences residual discomfort and functional limitations with the injured finger. Although the bone has technically healed, she revealed the finger won’t fully straighten and still causes pain when bumped or fully extended. Due to swelling and deformation, she has had to move her wedding ring to her right hand because it no longer fits the injured finger on her left hand.
A WWE insider close to Belair shared, “She’s handling the injury with professionalism, but the reality is this kind of damage slows down even the most elite athletes. Bianca is eager to return, but she’s also cautious not to rush her comeback”.
What This Means for Bianca’s WWE Future
Belair is widely regarded as one of WWE’s top stars thanks to her athleticism, charisma, and storytelling ability. Her excitement about the WrestleMania match reflects her passion, saying it showcased “a lot of strength and athleticism” and was a proud moment in her career.
However, the finger injury raises questions about when fans can expect to see her wrestle again. Given how integral hand dexterity and strength are to executing moves and maintaining safety, Belair’s cautious approach is understandable.
Sources inside WWE indicate that while no official timetable exists, the company and talent are prioritizing a full recovery before scheduling Belair for any major storylines or matches. “They want to bring her back at full force rather than risk aggravating the injury,” stated the insider.
Potential Storylines on the Horizon
While Belair’s in-ring return remains uncertain, she has expressed interest in new creative directions once she’s ready. Recently, she mentioned a desire to team up with Montez Ford in future storylines a pairing that could add fresh dynamics to WWE programming.
Bianca’s commitment to embracing whatever role comes next demonstrates her adaptability, whether it be returning as a wrestler or contributing in other capacities such as special guest referee.