Rhea Ripley is hoping to see Bianca Belair back in a WWE ring soon, and she is not shy about how much the injury has taken its toll on her friend.
Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri ahead of WrestleMania 42, Ripley was asked about heading into the weekend without Belair in the picture and opened up about the severity of the injury that has kept her sidelined since WrestleMania 41.
“It’s honestly not the same without Bianca there. I miss her. I hope that she comes back soon, but at the same time, I also hope she’s living her best life, not having to go to work for a little bit. She’s busted her ass for so long. They’ve literally made her do so much and work so much, she deserves the time off. I wish it was under better a circumstance because that finger be looking nasty. It’s shocked me that she’s been out for nearly a year from a finger injury, something that seems so small is something that’s so big. I’ve seen the photos. She sent me the photos, so thank you, Bianca. They’re pretty gnarly looking. I just really hope that she comes back soon. I really do, but that finger, it’s so fat. It’s so swollen. She’s doing rehab every single day and I’m looking forward to the day that she does come back. I don’t know how long that’s gonna be, unfortunately, because you need your finger to bend in wrestling. Otherwise, you’re gonna break it again,” Ripley said.
Belair has been out of action since suffering a finger injury during the triple threat Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania 41, which also involved Ripley and IYO SKY. Recent reports have indicated she has begun light training ahead of her in-ring comeback.
Ripley challenges Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship on night two of WrestleMania 42 on Sunday, April 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Shak Wrestling with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
