When it comes to competition, Bianca Belair is considered the best in the world, earning her the nickname “Est of WWE.” Belair, who professes to be the strongest, fastest, toughest, and all-around best Superstar on the planet, has been a standout athlete her whole life, and she has proven it.
In track and field at the University of Tennessee, Belair was recognized as an All-SEC and All-American performer before entering WWE. Wrestling veteran Mark Henry brought Bianca Belair to the Performance Center in Orlando, where she worked out with him. Following a successful audition, WWE extended Bianca an offer of a contract. Arriving in NXT, she quickly established herself as the embodiment of the EST brand and achieved rapid prominence with impressive weight-room results: Belair placed first in the 2016 and 2017 NXT Combines, owing to feats such as deadlifting 415 pounds.
Belair’s competitive mentality has, unsurprisingly, spilled over into the ring. Despite her reliance on brute strength, Belair is also capable of being inventively ruthless, whipping opponents to pieces with her long hair braid. As she demonstrated in the second round of the Mae Young Classic by throwing a picture-perfect 450 splash against Kairi Sane. Belair embarked on an unbeaten run after the Mae Young Classic. Lacey Evans, Candice LeRae, Aliyah, Dakota Kai, and Deonna Purrazzo were among the competitors she beat. During the NXT TakeOver Phoenix event on January 26, 2019, Belair won the chance to confront NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler in a singles match. After falling to the champion, her unbeaten run came to an end. During NXT TakeOver: New York, she squared off against Bazler once again, and she was defeated.
Prior to gaining another opportunity at the women’s title, Belair had a series of matches with Mia Yim to prepare for. The NXT Women’s Championship was challenged by Belair on the first edition of NXT on the USA Network, however, Belair was unsuccessful in her attempt to win the title. Belair competed in the War Games as a member of Team Shayna but was defeated by Team Rhea. She was a member of Team NXT, which beat Team Raw and Team SmackDown at the 2019 Survivor Series.
In the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble Match, where she lasted more than 33 minutes and eliminated eight rivals, she isn’t hesitant to take large chances. Belair appeared at WrestleMania 36 to provide a helping hand to The Street Profits, demonstrating great development in a short period of time. “I go here now,” she said as she made her way into the main roster for the first time on Raw. As a result, she was signed to the blue brand, where she has rapidly established herself as a formidable opponent for the likes of Bayley and Carmella.
As a result of her victory in the 2021 Royal Rumble Match as the first Black woman to win the match. and her victory over Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37 to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship for the first time as two Black women main event WM for a World Championship, Belair has shown that she is truly “The EST of WWE.”
Prior to her match last year for WM 37, I spoke with Belair about the importance of her match with the Boston native. “Representation is not a request, it’s a requirement”, said the 32-year-old. “I think that it’s an amazing moment if we were to the main event. It’s just putting an amazing message out there and an image out there,” said Belair. “Two alpha females, two alpha Black females standing in the ring together so it’s like before we even open our mouths to say anything or to touch each other to wrestle, just that image and having that moment it just sends a great message to little girls and boys who look like us.”
Becky Lynch defeated her to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship at Summerslam. Her rule for a period of 133 days. Belair was selected by the WWE in the 2021 Draft. She competed against Becky for the SmackDown and RAW Women’s Championships on two occasions, however, she was unsuccessful both times. In the year 2022, she was victorious in the Elimination Chamber match. At WrestleMania 38, she will square off against the RAW Women’s Champion and you can’t spell WrestleMania, without a little “EST”.
Bianca Belair is the true embodiment of representation for powerful Black women wrestlers of the new generation.
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