Bianca Belair discusses WWE Unreal, recent injury

[Chris]

Bianca Belair offers uncertain finger injury update ahead of WWE SummerSlam: 'We might have time'

Belair has been unable to perform for months but has taken positives from her time away

www.cbssports.com

Bianca Belair contributed to arguably the best match of WrestleMania 41. Her reward: an injury that sidelined her far longer than planned. Heading into WWE SummerSlam, Belair still can't commit to an in-ring return.

Belair broke multiple fingers during her women's world championship match with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky in April. She's broken fingers before, an injury that commonly takes four to six weeks to heal. Three months later, the closest she's come to an in-ring return was a passive role as special guest referee at Evolution. Belair said one finger, which fractured at the joint, is the culprit.

"I broke it in three places and the joint. It healed, but it won't bend," Belair told CBS Sports while discussing Netflix's "WWE: Unreal" and its July 29 premiere. "You can't wrestle with a straight finger because it'll break again... I can't even sew right now. I can't even make gear."

Belair is waiting to see if surgery is necessary, but would not rule out a SummerSlam appearance 10 days before WWE's big weekend.

"We're on the tail end of this healing process, so we might have time," Belair said. "But you never know. Crazy things happen."

The layoff has been professionally frustrating for Belair, but personally, it's offered relief. Belair signed with WWE as a rookie in 2016. Four years later, she won a world title at WrestleMania. Belair has been juggling many responsibilities as a star attraction. After a grueling road to WrestleMania 41, Belair required time to breathe.

"I needed this break," Belair admitted. "I've been going for the past five years nonstop in the title picture, filming reality TV shows and appearances. I think I had over 300 appearances in one year."

Netflix's "WWE: Unreal" created a lot of chatter. The docuseries peels back WWE's curtain, taking viewers into creative meetings and following superstars as they advance their careers or navigate injuries. Some wrestlers and fans may struggle with such transparency, but Belair sees the series as an illuminating tool.

"I was very excited when the opportunity was presented to me," Belair said. "As someone who didn't watch wrestling growing up, I had many misconceptions about WWE. Once that curtain was pulled back, I completely fell in love with wrestling. I had a newfound respect for it...

"WWE is really an engine. It's not just us hitting moves or grabbing a chair. There is an art and skill to what we do. I think once they see that, they'll respect what we do so much more."

 

[Crocker]

Looks like she’ll be out a bit longer.

 

[Kairi HoHo]

I thought for sure she would be a Lock for Mania the Surgery depending on how bad it was for the Surgery puts a Monkey Wrench into that for sure.

 

[Buffy]

Hope that Bianca had a successful surgery and recovery.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Wishing her all the speedy healing time and if she can’t ever get it straightened maybe tape it extra. Smaller injuries are usually the hardest to heal. I know from playing football for my County I snapped my wrist was back playing within 9months and broke three of my toes and it was the end of what could have been a long career in football . As I couldn’t kick the ball with out getting electric shock like feeling through my body and passing out every time .

Wish her nothing but the best as she’s one of the best women athletes in wwe and form fan favourite.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

I thought for sure she would be a Lock for Mania the Surgery depending on how bad it was for the Surgery puts a Monkey Wrench into that for sure.

You picked her to win mania didn’t you , mate ?

 

[Crocker]

 

[Dom's cellmate]

Since Bianca ain't a option I wouldn't mind jade vs Raquel(if she gets in EC)instead of Grace or Tiffany again.

Charlotte vs Jade is the likely option just not sure what Alexa does though at WM.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Since Bianca ain't a option I wouldn't mind jade vs Raquel(if she gets in EC)instead of Grace or Tiffany again.

Charlotte vs Jade is the likely option just not sure what Alexa does though at WM.

Wouldn’t mind seeing that match but it should be the winner of EC and I think with her winning the rumble last year might not work in her favour.

Jordyne?