The original plan for this year’s WrestleMania was for Jade Cargill to defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair. According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Belair was internally slated to win either the Royal Rumble or the Elimination Chamber to set up the clash in Las Vegas. However, a series of severe complications following finger surgery has derailed those plans, leaving the “EST of WWE” on a much longer road to recovery than initially anticipated.
Belair has been sidelined since WrestleMania 41, where she suffered a broken knuckle during a Triple Threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. While the injury was expected to keep her out for only a few months, the rehabilitation process has stretched into nearly a year. Belair recently took to social media to share a disgruntled update on her progress, noting that her finger frequently “stiffens back up,” forcing her to restart her painful therapy sessions every hour.
Rhea Ripley Steps In For The Las Vegas Spectacle
With Belair unable to compete, WWE creative pivoted the direction of the SmackDown women’s title. Rhea Ripley emerged as the new challenger after winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber match in Chicago this past February. Ripley outlasted five other women, including Tiffany Stratton and Raquel Rodriguez, to punch her ticket to WrestleMania 42.
The fallout from Belair’s absence has also paved the way for a record-breaking number of women’s matches at this year’s event. Reports from WrestleVotes Radio indicate that up to six women’s matches are being considered, with five already firmly planned. In addition to Cargill vs. Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer will defend her Women’s World Championship against Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan. A potential Women’s Intercontinental Championship rematch between AJ Lee and Becky Lynch is also expected for the card.
Uncertain Future for the “EST”
As of today, WWE currently has no plans to officially announce a return date for Bianca Belair. While there are internal hopes that she may be involved in WrestleMania 42 in a non-wrestling capacity, she remains listed on the roster without a designated return date. Some experts suggest that if her recovery continues to stall, her return could extend well beyond the summer, potentially pushing into 2027.
WrestleMania 42 is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19, 2026.
