The Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, and the match itself, make up a huge piece of WWE’s history. A newer piece of said history is that of the few women’s Hell In A Cell matches we’ve seen. As a result of the women’s revolution, the female performers in WWE got the opportunity to go at it inside the cell just like the men.

So far, there has been four women’s Hell In A Cell matches. Three out of the four have included Sasha Banks. Women’s Hell In A Cell matches were featured at the following Hell In A Cell pay-per-views: 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021. We have seen Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, and Bayley vs. Bianca Belair. 

Throughout the years, the women’s match has always been one to steal the show. Many times we only see wrestlers get thrown into the cell when the feud is undeserving of it. However, with there being only one women’s Hell In A Cell match, it is normally given to the feud that is most deserving of it. 

Previous Women’s Hell In A Cell Matches

Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte Flair (2016)

Charlotte and Sasha set the stage for what the women could do inside Hell In A Cell. From their entrances, you could tell that this match was extremely meaningful. These women took brutal and captivating bumps before the bell even rang. Even though there were some unfortunate, and uncontrollable, mishaps, these women were able to put forward incredible efforts. Unfortunately, the finish of the match was messed up, and the result deflated the crowd, but these women went on to have better matches against each other. 

Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch (2019)

Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch has been regarded as one of the best women’s wrestling matches in the WWE. This was viewed as Sasha Banks’ redemption match from her match with Charlotte Flair. The atmosphere of this match really enhanced the match itself. There was so much creativity within this match that it set the bar for the other female Hell In A Cell matches to come. The match itself is regarded as one of the best Hell In A Cell matches of all time. 

Sasha Banks vs Bayley (2020)

Sasha Banks vs Bayley was the culmination of one of the biggest stories during WWE’s pandemic era. Banks’ legacy was partially formed due to the incredible matches she had within the cell. Each year, we have seen Sasha improvise and create new things to do within the cell. Bayley’s first go in the cell was one of the defining matches of the pandemic. She was not afraid to take the bumps necessary to make it as legendary as it was.

Sasha and Bayley have such a long history that they were able to use that to their advantage. Everyone remembers their match from NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. They did all they could to create new spots and moments to try and make the match just as memorable. 

Bayley vs Bianca Belair (2021)

Bianca Belair’s first time in the cell was epic. With only about five years of experience, Belair was able to define her career with that match. From Bianca’s gear to her creativity inside the match, it was one of the significant matches in Bianca’s match catalog.

It would be a crime to not mention the performance that Bayley put on in this match. Bayley worked this match as the veteran had already competed against Sasha in the cell the year before. She was able to lead the match while still playing up her usual heel tactics. Bayley had been messing with Bianca since before she won the title. This was the perfect stipulation for this feud that was unfortunately was also the last match in the feud as Bayley got hurt before their scheduled ‘I Quit’ match.

The Importance Of Women’s Hell In A Cell Matches

It’s another scathing indictment of the booking of the women’s division that there is not a women’s Hell In A Cell match on this card. Between the walkout and suspension of the women’s Hell In A Cell veteran Sasha Banks and Naomi, and the lack of strong storylines in the women’s division on SmackDown, it is honestly no surprise that this is where the division is at right now. As the card currently stands, the SmackDown Women’s Championship isn’t even being defended at the pay-per-view. 

Possible Hell In A Cell Matches For This Year

Each year, we see new women enter the cell and test the limits of their in-ring ability. It’s sad that this will not be the case this year. There are many women on the roster who would’ve been deserving of the Hell In A Cell match slot.

The best option for this year seems to be Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley. If Asuka hadn’t returned, it would’ve made sense to do Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair inside the cell for the Raw Women’s Championship. This would’ve been the perfect match stipulation to tie a bow on their long-running feud. The Raw Women’s Championship feud is currently based on a two-person feud that Bianca was placed in. It doesn’t make sense to put this feud inside of the cell due to the lack of engagement in the feud from the champion herself. 

There are many combinations of undeveloped stars within the division that would’ve especially benefited from having the experience of being in the cell. Especially those like Rhea Ripley, Shotzi, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, Zelina Vega, Shayna Baszler, and so much more would benefit from being in a match like this.

They truly have dropped the ball with the opportunity to include a women’s Hell In A Cell match like they have for the last three years. The division, especially in the state it is in without its big stars like Sasha, Naomi, and Charlotte, the other women in the division would’ve benefitted from the chance to compete in a more hardcore and savage match stipulation. 

Bianca Belair may be riding high as the WWE Raw Women’s Champion, but she could soon be competing on Tuesday nights.

Before coming to the main roster, Belair made a name for herself in NXT but never held gold as part of the brand.

While speaking to Lucas Charpiot of VL Media, Belair expressed a desire to go to NXT, now NXT 2.0.

“I have never won the NXT Women’s Championship. It was quite a complicated thing to do at the time. I saw that Natalya was currently there. Natalya is a legend in this medium. It’s great to see her wrestle in NXT 2.0 with these young wrestlers. This isn’t the first time she’s wrestled in NXT. As far as I’m concerned, NXT is where I learned it all.

“NXT is my home.”

– Bianca Belair

Belair gave props to NXT star Amari Miller, saying she’s one of the most passionate performers she’s ever come across.

“NXT is my home. It would be nice to be able to come back there to face these young wrestlers. I’ve always loved Io (Shirai) and had the chance to wrestle her when I was in NXT. I’m seeing Amari (Miller). I love her to death. She’s so passionate. I don’t know if I’ve ever met someone with as much passion as her.”

A policy from WWE has said that at least one main roster Superstar should be appearing for the paint-splattered brand at all times.

Since this policy was implemented, fans have seen AJ Styles, Dolph Ziggler, Natalya, Robert Roode and the Viking Raiders all appear in NXT

Belair will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Becky Lynch and Asuka at WWE Hell in a Cell 2022.

• Bianca Belair Reveals the one Match Stipulation she Won’t do (April 2022)

Quotes via Cultaholic

The May 20 episode of WWE SmackDown concluded and fans inside Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI were treated to a dark match.

In the main event of the show, SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos took on Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro. This was a “Winner Take All” title unification match.

Ultimately, The Usos won thanks to an assist from Roman Reigns. After the match, The Bloodline attacked RK-Bro. Jey Uso landed a splash on Riddle from the top turnbuckle through an announce table.

Reigns choked out Randy Orton with a guillotine on the outside.

Special Dark Match

Once the cameras stopped rolling, Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair took on the newest member of The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley. Belair pinned Rhea with the KOD.

Here’s some footage of the match courtesy of Twitter user @BigTimeGoat.

That match may have been a preview of things to come. Belair is set to put her Raw Women’s Championship on the line against Asuka at Hell in a Cell on June 5.

If she makes it past “The Empress of Tomorrow,” many believe Belair could be due for a summer feud with Rhea.

Currently, Rhea is in a feud with her former tag team partner Liv Morgan. Liv has aligned with AJ Styles and Finn Balor in the fight against Edge, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley.

The Judgment Day recently tried recruiting Liv, AJ, and Balor to the group.

Bianca Belair may have not been the main event of WrestleMania 38 this year, but she knows her match with Becky Lynch was tough to follow.

Belair was recently a guest on the “Ring The Belle” podcast and discussed not getting the main event nod for Night One of WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, Texas this year.

While Belair acknowledged that every match on the card deserved to be at WrestleMania, she knew she and Lynch’s match was hard to follow.

“Well, for me, we [Belair & Becky Lynch] are the only two women that have won the main event of Wrestlemania so automatically, you know, for us, that was a huge match. But what I’ll say is every match on the card was deserving to be on Wrestlemania.

“But I’ll say it was hard to follow that and so when you put on a match where it’s hard for anybody to follow, that means nobody is supposed to follow it.”

Lynch put her RAW Women’s Title up for grabs against Belair, with the latter pulling off the win in what was, arguably, the best match of the weekend. Although, they certainly had some competition.

Immediately following their match was a bout between Seth Rollins and the returning Cody Rhodes which also left fans in amazement.

Stone Cold Steve Austin’s long-awaited return to in-ring action ended up being the main event, and was a nostalgia-filled parade of entertainment alongside Kevin Owens.

However, in terms of pure wrestling, there’s certainly an argument to be made that Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch’s match stole the show.

Quotes via NoDQ.com

WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair was very much active when the cameras stopped rolling for the May 9 episode of Raw.

During Raw, Asuka was granted a non-title opportunity against Belair by Adam Pearce and Becky Lynch was furious that “The Empress” was being handed a match.

Asuka said that Lynch left in April 2020 to become a mother, but is acting like a baby.

In the main event, Belair faced Asuka in a Championship Contender’s Match, which “The EST” won via disqualification when Lynch interfered.

In the post-show dark match for the Hartford, Connecticut crowd, Belair faced Becky with the championship on the line. Belair retained her title against “Big Time Becks” after hitting her with the KOD.

What’s next for Becky and Belair? What about Asuka?

With Becky attacking Belair, it appears that their feud isn’t over just yet, and fans can expect a rematch between the current and former Raw Women’s Champion.

This is an interesting move considering that Asuka, upon her return to WWE TV two weeks ago, seemingly began a feud with Lynch, confronting her during a promo about regaining the Raw Women’s Title. Perhaps we’re in store for a triple threat?

If a rematch is in the works between “The Man” and “The EST,” it will likely be at Hell in a Cell 2022 which will take place on June 5.

So far, no matches have been confirmed for WWE’s next Premium Live Event.

Bianca Belair became the WWE Raw Women’s Champion by defeating Becky Lynch at WWE WrestleMania 38 event in Dallas, Texas on April 2.

“The EST of WWE” also made history by becoming the second African-American star after The Rock to win a Royal Rumble Match. She also won the SmackDown Women’s Championship in WrestleMania 37, becoming the first woman to successfully challenge for both titles in consecutive WrestleManias.

Even though Belair has created history in her young career so far, she didn’t plan to be a WWE superstar. In fact, she didn’t even imagine she would ever be one.

In a recent interview with NBC Sports, Belair spoke about being an athlete and transitioning to wrestling for WWE. She said that the biggest transition for her was starting from scratch. She has a lot of experience with different sports, from gymnastics, tumbling, track and field, cheerleading, basketball, and soccer. Belair was an all-American hurdler too.

Belair was able to use something from each sport with every new sport she’s ever done. It wasn’t the same with WWE.

“With every sport that I’ve done — even CrossFit and powerlifting — I’ve been able to pull something from each sport (I did before). But with WWE, I walked in not really knowing anything. I didn’t really grow up watching wrestling. I watched when my brother watched it. I never imagined myself being a WWE superstar. So it was really starting from scratch. The athletic and physical part of it came to me very easily and quickly, but it was the performing part of WWE (that was more challenging),” Belair said.

She continued, “You know, it’s sports entertainment, so you get the best of both worlds. It’s like watching your favorite action-packed, superhero soap opera mixed with an NFL football game. So, for me the most challenging part was just the performance part and learning how to — not just compete — but perform at the same time.”

Belair said that wrestling is the most demanding sport she’s ever done: “It’s very, very demanding physically, probably more demanding than almost any sport that I did. I’m in the gym usually Tuesday through Friday doing cardio training, CrossFit-type of training. And then Saturday through Tuesday is when I’m traveling and having wrestling matches inside the ring. But on those traveling days, I’m still in the gym at eight o’clock in the morning. Then I’m at the show, having a wrestling match at eight o’clock at night, and then I’m driving to the next show until about 2am. And then I’m doing it all over again the next day. So it’s a grind, not just mentally, but physically as well.”

Bianca Belair also spoke about women main-eventing WWE. According to her, not only is seeing women in the limelight important for young girls, but it’s even more important for boys to see.

Sonya Deville has stepped up as the first challenger to new Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair. Deville will get her title shot at WrestleMania Backlash on May 8th.

The EST of WWE regained the title from Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. At Monday’s Raw, she made short work of Zelina Vega. After the match, Deville came out to present Belair with a contract for her next title defense.

Deville hyped up the mystery opponent and called for a drum roll and as part of the elaborate introduction. She proceeded she proceeded to attack Belair from behind, revealing herself to be the #1 contender for the Raw women’s title.

Later in the show, Deville’s colleague Adam Pearce approached her backstage and accused her of abusing her power as an authority figure. Deville brushed off the comment and promised to shock the world by winning the championship.

On Wednesday’s episode of WWE’s The Bump, the match was made official. Sonya Deville vs. Bianca Belair has been signed as one of the top matches for WrestleMania Backlash 2022.

Bianca Belair Ready for Sonya Deville

Backstage correspondent Sarah Schreiber caught up with Bianca Belair after Sonya Deville’s attack at Raw.

Belair said she “stays ready” for challenges like this.

“I stay ready, so I don’t have to get ready, and while Sonya Deville has been wearing suits and making matches for a year, I’ve been wearing titles and making history. So, let’s do it,” Belair said.

Recently, newly-crowned WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair spoke to SHAK Wrestling to talk about a wide variety of topics. One such topic was about what type of match she’d like to compete in that she hasn’t had the opportunity to so far. Belair was quick to answer that she really would like to have the “I Quit” match she missed out on against Bayley back in 2021.

The pair were slated to meet in an “I Quit” match at Money In The Bank that year before an ACL injury to “The Hugger” forced the match to be cancelled.

“Oh man, the I quit match that I was supposed to have with Bayley,” Belair said (via WrestleZone). “I still get sad when I think about the possibilities of that match. So hopefully, we can revisit that when she comes back.”

It’s certainly possible that WWE revisits that match down the line. Bayley has yet to return from injury and went undrafted in the 2021 WWE Draft. Perhaps she can make her return to the red brand and rekindle her rivalry with the newly-crowned champ. Belair was also asked if there were any matches that she isn’t willing to participate in. Belair admitted that she’s too attached to her hair to risk a Hair vs. Hair match.

“We all know the answer to this one,” Belair stated. “I don’t even want to say it because I don’t want to put it out there.”

Belair captured the WWE RAW Women’s Championship from Becky Lynch over the weekend at WrestleMania 38. The pair put on one of the best matches of the action packed weekend. Although she emerged victorious on “The Grandest Stage Of Them All,” she didn’t escape unscathed. Lynch left Belair with a nasty eye injury to remember her by.

Bianca Belair has posted new pics in the aftermath of her swollen eye from WrestleMania 38.

Belair challenged Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship on night one of WrestleMania. Belair pinned Becky after hitting the K.O.D. but she didn’t walk out of AT&T Stadium unscathed.

At one point in the match, Bianca Belair suffered a swollen eye. She took to her Instagram account to post new images following the injury.

Bianca spoke to Ariel Helwani of BT Sport after her win over Becky. She said she doesn’t consider her eye to be injured, rather hurt (via Comic Book).

“I thought it was getting better, but it’s swelling up. I knew Becky was going to bring everything she had to me and she did. This is the result of it. I just had to overcome. It’s okay. It’s hurt, not injured. I’m the toughest and am gonna push through.”

Becky Lynch put her WWE Raw Women’s Championship on the line against Bianca Belair at the WWE WrestleMania 38 event in Dallas, Texas on Saturday night. 

The match opened with Lynch hitting the rock bottom for a near fall. Belair went for the disarmer at one point. Lynch with a leg drop off the top rope for 2. It had a very urgent pace with a lot of quick pin attempts. Belair connected with a suplex on the floor. Belair with a 450 splash off the middle rope for a super close near fall. Belair with a spinebuster then went for a standing moonsault, but Lynch put her knees up. Lynch with rock bottom on the bottom steel step. Belair hit KOD for the win. 

The match was set up in February when Belair defeated Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, and Nikki A.S.H. in a number one contender’s Elimination Chamber match. At this same show, Lynch retained her Raw Women’s Championship against WWE Hall Of Famer Lita.

Belair was looking to avenge her loss to Lynch from last year’s SummerSlam, which is where Lynch made her return to the ring by replacing Sasha Banks to beat Belair in 26 seconds to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

During last year’s Draft, WWE had Lynch become the Raw Women’s Champion when she and Charlotte Flair swapped title belts after changing brands 

What are your thoughts on Bianca Belair winning the Raw Women’s Title? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

Monday’s WrestleMania go-home edition of WWE Monday Night RAW saw Bianca Belair take a pair of scissors to Becky Lynch’s trademark red hair.

That’s right, Belair went full-on Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and clipped off some of the Irish Lass’s hair. Since that point, not much has been seen from the RAW Women’s Champion.

That changed on Wednesday. Lynch posted a pair of pictures to her Twitter account with the caption, “Jokes on you @BiancaBelairWWE. I look cool af. #WrestleMania.”

Lynch and Belair will go toe-to-toe during night one of WWE WrestleMania 38 this Saturday night. Current reports indicate that their match will open the show, though that is obviously subject to change until the event itself starts.

Who do you think will walk out of WrestleMania 38 with the RAW Women’s Championship belt? Let us know in the comments section below!

Be sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news. This week’s show features a full preview and predictions for WrestleMania 38: Apple – Spotify – YouTube. 

• Kevin Owens Reveals Who Convinced Him to Stay With WWE

For the final to their match at WrestleMania 38, Bianca Belair ended up cutting off some of Becky Lynch’s hair Monday night during WWE Raw.

After Raw went off the air, Belair appeared on Raw Talk with Sarah Schreiber. Belair commented on the segment in an effort to continue to build interest in the pair’s WWE Raw Championship match this weekend at WrestleMania.

“Tonight was wild,” Belair said. “I thought I’d seen all of Becky’s tricks, but never in a million years did I think she’d show up with a pair of scissors to try and cut my braid. I’ve told her so many times already, ‘Don’t you dare touch my braid.’ And she dared anyway, and this is what happens [Belair then held up Becky’s hair].”

Belair also said, “If Becky hasn’t learned yet, there’s nothing she can do to stop me from taking her title at WrestleMania.”

As noted, Lynch attempted to cut Belair’s hair first in their brawl after a steel chair shot. However, Belair fought back and hit two KODs before grabbing the scissors and going a little Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake on her opponent instead. After cutting Lynch’s hair, the Raw live crowd chanted “you deserve it” at Lynch.

Here are the cards for both nights of WrestleMania 38 this weekend as things stand right now:

Night One

• WWE RAW Women’s Championship Match
  Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair
• The Miz and Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio
• Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
• WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match
  The Usos (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs
• WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
  Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey
• Seth Rollins vs. An Opponent of Vince McMahon’s Choosing
• KO Show Featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin

Night Two

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
  Queen Zelina and Carmella (c) vs. Sasha Banks and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler
• Anything Goes Match
  Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn
• Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
• WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match
  RK-Bro (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy
• Edge vs. AJ Styles
• Bobby Lashley vs. Omos
• WWE Championship vs. WWE Universal Championship – Winner Take All
  Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns (c)

As you prepare for WrestleMania, be sure to check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube. 

• Bobby Lashley Returns on WWE Raw to Set Up WrestleMania Match With Omos

We have injury updates for two top WWE Superstars less than two weeks out from WrestleMania 38.

Former WWE Champion Bobby Lashley has been dealing with a legitimate shoulder injury since January. Bianca Belair has been off television following a recent attack by her WrestleMania opponent, Becky Lynch.

Bianca Belair Injury Update

Bianca Belair is scheduled to challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania Saturday.

Last week on Raw, Lynch viciously attacked Belair by wrapping a chair around her head and ramming her into a ring post.

WWE.com ran an article stating that Belair would be out of action for an unspecified amoutn of time after suffering a “fractured hyoid bone” in her throat.

Belair did not appear at this week’s Raw, but fans can rest assured that she will be “healthy” in time for WrestleMania. The injury is purely a storyline. She was kept off Raw to sell the injury. She will be back in time for WrestleMania, where she hopes to avenge a stunning loss to Big Time Becks last year at SummerSlam.

• Bianca Belair Reacts To Stunning SummerSlam Loss to Becky Lynch

Bobby Lashley Injury Update

The Almighty Bobby Lashley’s injury is legitimate. He’s been dealing with a shoulder injury since January when he wrestled Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble.

Lashley was in Dallas at AT&T Stadium last week (according to Pwinsider) and WWE officials are hopeful that he’ll be healthy in time for WrestleMania. Lashley does not have a match booked for the show, but it’s rumored that he’ll be facing Omos.

• Bobby Lashley Reveals Advice He Gave To Gable Steveson

Charlotte Flair already has her eyes on Bianca Belair and Rhea RIpley as opponents following her match at WrestleMania 38.

The current SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will face Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 38 on the Saturday show. The former RAW Women’s Champion, Rousey, won the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble in her return to the ring, and then went on to challenge ‘The Queen’. It seems like Charlotte may be looking pass this possible WrestleMania main event and towards two other former Women’s champions.

Charlotte Flair Names Who’s Next For Her

Charlotte appeared on HOT 97, and said, “I guess it’s the question is, who’s there to beat me? Rhea and Bianca, are my targets next. I expect big things not that Bianca hasn’t already done big things, and I still look at my Money in the Bank match with Rhea Ripley, it was a great match. I want to see, you know, what’s next for the both of them and I’ve never had a completely full program with either one of them.”

Charlotte continued, “I think Rhea has kind of been start-stop. WrestleMania we had the NXT. But that wasn’t really followed up. You know, we had that WrestleMania match in the Performance Center during COVID and then I lost the title at TakeOver.”

“So there was really no story or build-up or what happened after and then when we got when she came to Raw, it was the Money in the Bank match, but then it turned into a Triple Threat and I got cashed in on. So I still think there’s a story left there, and she’s got to climb this mountain, both of them.”

WrestleMania 38

The SmackDown Women’s Championship will be defended against Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 38 Night 1 on Saturday, April 2. 

Bianca Belair also has a championship match set for WrestleMania 38 Night 1 on Saturday, April 2. She will face Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship after winning the Women’s Eliminiation Chamber Match on February 19.

Rhea Ripley currently does not have any plans for WrestleMania as of right now. However, that could obviously change as there are still 28 days until the event and the card is still developing.

• WWE WrestleMania 38 Match Card, Date & Time, How To Watch

WWE RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch took to social media to react to the news that she will be facing Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 38.

Belair won the Women’s Elimination Chamber event during the Premium Live Event on Saturday night and is now the #1 contender to Lynch’s title.

Taking to social media, Lynch would react to the news that she will be facing the former SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Becky pointed out that this will be a match between the only two women to ever win a WrestleMania main event, giving the contest some gravitas beyond the title stipulation.

She wrote: “Congratulations Bianca. The only two women to win the main event of #WrestleMania go head to head in the main event of #WrestleMania. Maybe this time I’ll beat my own record.”

Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair

There was an expectation that Ronda Rousey would be challenging Lynch at the event, but recent reports have claimed that Lynch vs Rousey is being pencilled in for WrestleMania 39 in 2023.

Whoever wins between Lynch and Belair at WrestleMania 38 will be in the history books as the first woman to ever win two WrestleMania main event matches.

As of writing, it is looking like WWE will be putting the RAW title on Belair, avenging her loss back at SummerSlam 2021 against ‘Big Time Becks.’

Bianca Belair received some advice from John Cena after her 2021 SummerSlam match ended in just 26 seconds.

Belair went one-on-one with Becky Lynch to the surprise of many. Belair was initially set to put the SmackDown Women’s Championship on the line against Sasha Banks. Sasha was forced off the card and Becky served as her replacement.

Becky cheap-shotted Belair, kickstarting her heel run. Becky ended up scoring the pinfall in under 30 seconds.

Advice From A Legend

During an interview with talkSPORT, Bianca Belair detailed the advice John Cena gave her following the short match.

“I really got to talk with John Cena a lot after the 26 seconds moment at SummerSlam. He really just gave me a lot of great advice and keep the right perspective of everything.

“Basically the gist of what he said was ‘moments like this you can really use to propel you. You see how much the fans really get behind you.’ For me, out of that, I was able to look at the longer picture, the bigger picture and hopefully one day it’ll come back full circle, who knows. 

“But for me, I took it as you can use this as an opportunity to show who you are without that title. I’m still the EST of WWE and I’m still going to go out there and show out every single time I step in the ring and you really get to see who’s behind you.

“Ironically, I think that moment really propelled me and made me a bigger star.”

Belair recently won the women’s Elimination Chamber match, granting her a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. This means Belair will have one last chance to get revenge on “Big Time Becks.”

WWE upped the stakes for the women’s Elimination Chamber match in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from the Jeddah SuperDome as Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, and Nikki A.S.H. competed in the bout. The sixth participant, who had been previously unknown for weeks was revealed as Alexa Bliss. 

The stipulation of the match was the winner getting the next shot at the Raw Women’s Title. The bout started off with Nikki and Liv. Doudrop entered the match third. Rhea was in fourth. Rhea hit her finisher to Nikki for the first elimination. Bliss earned the fifth entry and last was Belair. Morgan went to the top rope, but Doudrop tossed her into the pod. Morgan eliminated Doudrop with a sunset flip powerbomb. Bliss hit twisted bliss to eliminate Morgan. Belair eliminated Rhea with her finisher. 

As a result of the win, she will challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Title at WrestleMania 38 on either April 2 or 3. At the Elimination Chamber, Lynch faced off with Hall Of Famer Lita. 

In recent weeks, Morgan and Doudrop had both unsuccessfully challenged for Lynch’s title as  Doudrop got her title shot at the Royal Rumble by defeating Morgan and Belair in a number one contender’s match. In a heel move, Lynch interfered to prevent Belair from winning in that triple threat match. 

Bianca Belair doesn’t want Fenty to be the end-all-be-all of a partnership with Rihanna.

Belair has risen to prominence in WWE rather quickly. She headlined night one of WrestleMania 37 and defeated Sasha Banks to become the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

The “EST” of WWE has certainly seen her stock rise and people outside of the wrestling industry are taking notice. Belair has been working with the Fenty brand, which is owned by music star Rihanna.

Rihanna & Belair Tag Team?

Speaking to Metro, Bianca Belair said she isn’t opposed to teaming up with Rihanna inside the WWE ring.

“When she’s ready to come back, I would love that! Come tag team with me, we can be tag team champions! I think we would break the internet with that one!

“I’m a huge fan of Rihanna, I love Fenty Beauty and I’ve always thought that being a WWE superstar, makeup is such a huge part of what we do, of our characters and our personas and our presence.

“Listen, we go in the ring, we have a face full of makeup but we’re in there fighting! I’m in the Royal Rumble for 56 minutes and at the end of it, lipstick still intact – you know, sometimes my lashes fall off! But it’s a perfect collaboration.”

WWE certainly is no stranger to dealing with celebrities. We’ve seen all-time NFL great Lawrence Taylor headline a WrestleMania as well as Mr. T. Whether or not Belair gets her wish of teaming with Rihanna remains to be seen.

Former SmackDown women’s champion Bianca Belair is promoting products from Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty cosmetic brand.

The EST of WWE shared a sponsored post from her official Instagram account. She promoted the new lipstick line-up of the fashion brand:

“The #ESTofWWE is channeling her #ICONENERGY with @FentyBeauty’s new lipstick collection #FENTYICON! I’m loving shades #SCHOLASISTA, #FENTYTHEMVP, and #BOARDMEMBR for their long-lasting coverage in the ring! Which one should I try next?!”

Bianca Belair is not the only pro wrestling personality affiliated with Fenty.

AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill has also been promoting the brand on social media. Cargill has promoted the SAVAGE x FENTY lingerie line.

Bianca Belair & Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty was launched by Rihanna in September 2017. The brand is popular for its broad inclusivity across skin tones and gender.

It’s Pro Filt’R foundation originally offered 40 shades which has since been expanded to 50. Fenty Beauty was named one of time magazine’s best inventions on its launch year.

Bianca Belair was drafted to the Raw brand during the 2021 draft. She has been chasing the Raw women’s championship since then but has been unsuccessful in her quest so far.

Belair faced one-half of the women’s tag team champion Carmella on this Monday’s Raw. She hit Carmella with a KOD for the win.

The former champion is rumored to face Becky Lynch for the Raw women’s championship at WrestleMania 38. Though this match hasn’t been made official yet.

• MVP on Bianca Belair: “She’s the Fastest, the Strongest, the Best.”

Bianca Belair has a huge fan in MVP. The former leader of the Hurt Business says the EST is the fastest, strongest and best women’s wrestler in WWE. He’s so high on her that he’s actually tried recruiting her to his faction.

MVP sat down with Corey Graves this week for the latest episode of WWE’s After the Bell podcast.

It’s late January, so of course the main topic at hand was the Royal Rumble. However, MVP just couldn’t help gushing over Bianca Belair.

MVP says Belair vs. Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37 was one of the greatest matches he’s ever seen. It was the moment that Bianca Belair stepped into the spotlight and showed the world that she’s the new face of WWE’s women’s division.

He couldn’t believe WWE’s decision to book Belair in a 20-second loss to Becky Lynch at SummerSlam. MVP said he could rant about that incident for a half hour, but spared us of that.

Next weekend at the Royal Rumble, Doudrop challenges Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship. It’s a match that Doudrop says is 15 years in the making.

MVP could see Doudrop winning the title, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. He wants Bianca Belair as champion and everything else is just fodder.

“I don’t want to talk about any other women in the WWE,” said MVP. “Bianca Belair isn’t in the conversation, because she truly is The EST. She’s the fastest, she’s the strongest, she’s the best. I can’t see a conversation about the WWE Women’s Championship without Bianca Belair in it.”

MVP Wanted Bianca Belair in the Hurt Business

The Hurt Business has been one the most dominant factions in WWE over the past several years. Back when they were in full swing, MVP says people would tell him they need to add a woman to the group.

Hearing MVP profess his admiration for Bianca Belair, it should come as no surprise that MVP tried recruiting her.

“There were some discussions with Bianca Belair, but things went a different way,” said MVP. “So I say all that to say that I’m a fan of Bianca Belair and I believe that when you talk about the WWE Women’s Championship, if Bianca Belair isn’t in that conversation, I don’t want to have it.”

Listen to MVP’s appearance on the After the Bell podcast here:

Former WWE Executive Canyon Ceman has shared his farewell post to the company. Ceman worked with the WWE from 2012 to 2021.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that the WWE released Ceman on July 23, 2021. The company has released talent over the year due to budget cuts. However, it’s unclear if the former executive release is related to WWE’s budget issues. The timing of Ceman’s departure also happened around the time of WWE’s contract issue with Adam Cole. Wrestling Inc’s Marc Middleton shared that timing of Cole’s contract dispute “Very much lines up with the timing of Ceman’s departure.” Although, the WWE hasn’t confirmed Middleton’s statement.

Regardless, Ceman seems grateful for his time in WWE and shared his appreciation in the farewell post on Linkedin.

“In the spirit of 2022, and a new chapter about to begin, I want to say thank you and a final LinkedIn goodbye to my past chapter at WWE am grateful to WWE for an adventurous 9.5 year run as a leader in talent development,” wrote Ceman.

Canyon Ceman Reflects on Accomplishments

In his post, Ceman detailed his proud accomplishments during his WWE tenure. He shared that he helped scout talent in China, Japan, and Mexico. Ceman also mentioned he played a role in the “Women Empowerment Movement” in the WWE. The former executive brought up talents Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley as people he helped.

“I am most proud of the efforts we made towards professionalization and globalization of athlete acquisition and development, India, Dubai, Japan, China, Saudi, Mexico, Australia, Chile, Germany,” said Ceman. He continued, “…Our role in the Women’s empowerment movement in WWE, from Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch to Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, so proud of Sara Amato and all we accomplished. The culture of respect and empowerment we built at the WWE PC, as we launched and grew NXT and NXT UK, and of the superstars launched and stories created through all of these projects.”

Ceman also thanked his former co-workers like Triple H, Matt Bloom, and William Regal. He ended the farewell post by saying that an announcement was coming soon. It’s unclear if Ceman still wants to work in the professional wrestling business.

Booker T has taken notice of how rapidly Bianca Belair upped her game.

Belair has established herself as the “EST” of WWE. Many were worried about Bianca after she suffered a 26-second loss to Becky Lynch at Summerslam back in August. The good news is, Bianca still has the fans by her side.

More recently, she had quite the moment on an episode of Monday Night Raw. On Dec. 20, Belair defeated Doudrop by hitting the K.O.D. The ending had fans in attendance jumping out of their seats.

Booker T Backs Bianca Belair

Taking to his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T reflected on the quick rise of Bianca Belair.

“I would say Bianca Belair, championship material, but more importantly most improved. I try not to put the carriage before the horse.

“Bianca is really, really good but I just do not want to put that pressure on her to be thinking like that when there again she’s good, she’s really, really good.

“As far as being ranked number one, I would give her that honor but it’s not just from a wrestling perspective. It’s how far Bianca Belair has come so quickly, so quickly.

“I mean she like rose out of the ashes to be a contender like Rocky Balboa against Apollo Creed and then go out and win. Not because of any other reason than she’s talented just like Rocky. So, yeah man give her the props.”

The co-host of the Hall of Fame podcast, Brad Gilmore, expressed his belief that Bianca is in for another Royal Rumble win and a WrestleMania showdown with Becky Lynch.

If that happens and she defeats Becky, then many WWE fans will feel the story will have come full circle.

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WWE is making some major changes to tonight’s live events in New York City and Tampa, all while the company continues to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak with their performers and staff. While we can’t say for certain that the changes are due to the outbreak, four big names are not present tonight at Madison Square Garden who were advertised previously, and further changes are also being made to the main event tonight in Tampa.

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins vs. Big E in a triple threat steel cage match and Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch in a steel cage match were advertised for the MSG show tonight. According to PWInsider, Rollins, Lynch, Big E, and Belair are not at the show. The report notes that Edge is now being brought in for the show as a replacement, and he is now scheduled to work a match on the show. Natalya will also now be appearing.

Madison Square Garden did announce this afternoon that an NXT title match between Tommaso Ciampa and Pete Dunne has been added to the show. However, it should be noted that that match has previously been planned for the Raw tour this week.

The PWInsider report also notes that changes are in store for the WWE live event in Tampa tonight as well. The advertised main event there has been Roman Reigns and The Usos vs. Drew McIntyre and The New Day. Plus, a women’s match featuring Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks in a Street Fight. We’re not aware of what changes are set to be made as of right now.

• WWE COVID-19 Outbreak Update, More Cases Confirmed, Holiday Tour Plans

WWE’s ticket sales for the MSG show tonight in particular have been disappointing, with the live attendance looking to be WWE’s lowest at the venue since 2004. As of this afternoon, only about 51% of the tickets had been distributed based on the setup for the show. Post-Christmas shows at the Garden have typically been hot tickets in years past.

Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.

2021 was a strange year for Bianca Belair. From winning her first championship in WWE at WrestleMania 37 to losing the title in a disheartening manner at SummerSlam, the year brought a lot of surprises for the female star. The former champion recently had an interview with Milwaukee Record. She talked about things such as her time in NXT and more.

When asked about the upcoming year and what she is looking forward to the most, Bianca claimed that despite the downfalls, 2021 was an amazing year for her. She then said that she would like to win the SmackDown women’s championship back:

“2021 was an amazing year, you know. So amazing that even through my downfalls in 2021, it’s just that I’ve had so many successes that my momentum has been able to just keep going and it’s been amazing.

I just want to continue to carry that momentum into 2022. What I can say, I think that one thing that can make 2022 really just top 2021, not even top 2021, but just make it all just come full circle is to eventually get back my title from Becky Lynch. So that’s really what I’m looking forward to in 2022.”

• Bianca Belair Opens Up About SummerSlam Loss: ‘It’s A Hard Blow”

She was also asked if there is anyone in particular in NXT that helped her become who she is and the EST took the name of Sara Amato, better known by her ring name Sara Del Rey. Apart from this, Bianca Belair talked about her decision to open up about her mental health issues, celebrating Christmas in WWE, and more.

A holiday week of wrestling television begins tomorrow night with WWE Monday Night Raw emanating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Next Friday night’s SmackDown, occuring on Christmas Eve, has already been taped (you can view spoilers at this link).

WWE has announced five matches for Monday’s Raw. They are:

• Finn Balor vs. Austin Theory
• Bianca Belair vs. Doudrop
• WWE U.S. Champion Damian Priest vs. Dolph Ziggler
• AJ Styles and Omos vs. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio
• Queen Vega vs. Rhea Ripley

WWE has also announced Bobby Lashley, Maryse, and MVP for the show. Maryse will be appearing on Edge’s “Cutting Edge” segment, while Lashley and MVP will appear to demand respect after the former WWE Champion was victorious over Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Big E last week.

Via WWE.com:

“The Miz is not the only one with the ‘most must-see talk show in WWE’ as Edge returns to host ‘The Cutting Edge’ with special guest Maryse!

“The Rated-R Superstar will hear from Maryse just weeks before squaring off with her husband, The Miz, at Day 1. Edge will look to find out what is going on between Maryse and The Miz after she slapped The A-Lister for using her as a shield to hide from Edge’s attack last week.

“Hear all the drama and find out if it will have any effect on Day 1’s match between Edge and The Miz this Monday night on Raw at 8/7 C on USA.”

Balor vs. Theory was setup last week when Theory attacked Balor and posted for a selfie with him while he was laid out. Belair and Doudrop wrestled last week; Belair was victorious but was attacked by Doudrop after the bout.

Ziggler’s match with U.S. Champion Priest is for a future shot at the title. If he’s able to defeat the champion Monday night during Raw, Ziggler will become the number one contender for the U.S. title. A title match between the two would likely take place at the WWE Day 1 PPV event in Atlanta on January 1st.

Check out the Top Rope Nation wrestling podcast for your weekly dose of pro wrestling talk featuring interviews, analysis and exclusive news: Apple – Spotify – YouTube.