Injuries are an unfortunate reality in the world of professional wrestling, where high-impact moves and dangerous stunts are part of the spectacle. At WrestleMania 41, fans witnessed one of the most intense triple threat matches in recent memory when Bianca Belair battled Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky for championship gold. What most people didn’t realize at the time, however, was that Belair suffered a legitimate injury during the match—one that left her sidelined for weeks.
Recently, the “EST of WWE” shared details about how she broke her finger during WrestleMania 41, how she managed to finish the match despite the pain, and what her recovery process has looked like since then.
Bianca Belair’s Brutal WrestleMania Moment
In an interview with Adrian Hernandez, Bianca Belair recalled the exact moment she knew something was wrong. During a triple German suplex spot involving herself, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky, Belair’s left hand became trapped in the chaos.
“So, we were in the match and we were doing the triple German spot—Iyo was on the top, Rhea was in the middle, I was on the bottom, and we came off and my hand somehow got stuck underneath Rhea,” Belair explained. “And so we all crashed down together. But right away, immediately, I thought I broke all five of my fingers.”
Unlike most wrestling injuries where adrenaline masks the pain until after the match, Belair felt the damage instantly.
“Usually when you hurt yourself in a match, the adrenaline’s pumping so much that you don’t feel it till afterwards. But I felt it immediately,” she said. “Watching it back, you can see me rolling around, and I’m like, ‘I think I just broke all my fingers.’ I kind of forgot that I was even in the match until I heard Rhea calling my name.”
Fighting Through the Pain
Despite suffering what turned out to be a fractured finger joint, Belair pushed through and finished the contest. For her, quitting in the middle of the biggest show of the year was never an option.
Belair credited her adrenaline and competitive spirit for helping her finish strong. Her performance at WrestleMania 41 was widely praised by fans and critics, with many unaware that she had been competing through an injury.
This toughness has long been part of Belair’s identity. As one of the most athletic superstars on the roster, she has built a reputation for pushing her limits and never backing down. WrestleMania 41 only added another chapter to her legacy of resilience.
The Severity of Bianca Belair’s Injury
Once she returned backstage, WWE’s medical team immediately examined her hand. The swelling had already begun, prompting an X-ray to confirm the extent of the injury.
“The problem is, I broke it in my joint, and that’s the big issue,” Belair revealed. “After that, I saw it and I was like, this looks crazy. People were saying my finger looked like it had a kneecap. They say it looks like ET’s finger.”
Breaking a finger joint is more serious than a standard fracture. Because the injury impacts mobility and joint stability, the recovery process is slower and requires careful medical attention. For a performer like Belair, whose athletic style relies heavily on strength, grip, and speed, the injury posed a significant challenge.
Belair’s Pride in Her WrestleMania Performance
Even with the injury, Bianca Belair expressed pride in her WrestleMania 41 performance.
She emphasized how important the match was to her career and to WWE fans, noting that she didn’t want her injury to take away from the historic clash between herself, Rhea Ripley, and Iyo Sky.
“I take great pride in what I accomplished in the match and I’m happy with how it turned out,” Belair said.
Her comments reflect not only her competitive spirit but also her understanding of the importance of WrestleMania moments in WWE history. Superstars are often remembered for their performances on the grandest stage, and Belair clearly wanted hers to stand out.
The Importance of WrestleMania 41 for Bianca Belair
WrestleMania has been a career-defining event for Bianca Belair. From her victory over Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37 to her ongoing run as one of the most dominant female superstars, Belair has consistently delivered on the big stage. WrestleMania 41 was no different, despite the injury setback.
Facing Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky represented a generational clash between three of the best women’s wrestlers in WWE. Belair’s ability to fight through injury and still deliver an exciting performance reinforced why she is considered one of the faces of the women’s division.
What the Injury Means for Belair’s WWE Future
Fans have been eagerly awaiting updates on Belair’s recovery, and while she has made progress, the finger injury has kept her out of regular in-ring competition. A joint injury is tricky, especially for a performer whose offense includes power-based moves such as the K.O.D. (Kiss of Death), which requires significant grip strength and balance.
Still, Belair’s positive attitude suggests she’s determined to return stronger than ever. Given her history of bouncing back from setbacks, there’s every reason to believe she will once again reclaim her spot at the top of WWE’s women’s division.
Bianca Belair’s Resilience: A Defining Trait
Throughout her career, Bianca Belair has shown resilience in the face of challenges. From transitioning from NXT to the main roster, to carrying the women’s division during her championship reigns, to now overcoming injury, Belair has proven time and again that she thrives under pressure.
Her recovery from the broken finger is just the latest example of her perseverance. For WWE fans, it’s a reminder that Belair is not just “The EST” in name but in action—she continues to prove she’s the strongest, fastest, toughest, and now, one of the toughest mentally as well.
How WWE Can Use This Injury in Storytelling
While Belair recovers, WWE has an opportunity to incorporate her injury into future storylines. Wrestling has a long history of turning real-life challenges into compelling narratives.
A comeback story: WWE could highlight Belair’s road to recovery, building anticipation for her return and portraying her as a warrior who fights back against adversity.
A revenge angle: If WWE wants to capitalize on the WrestleMania 41 injury, they could book Belair against Rhea Ripley or Iyo Sky in a heated rivalry once she’s cleared to compete again.
An underdog push: The injury could make Belair appear more vulnerable, which would endear her further to fans when she overcomes the odds.
By weaving her injury into her character arc, WWE can turn a setback into an opportunity for storytelling that strengthens Belair’s connection with fans.
WWE’s Women’s Division Needs Bianca Belair
With stars like Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Iyo Sky carrying the division, WWE’s women’s roster is more competitive than ever. However, Bianca Belair remains one of the division’s most marketable and reliable stars.
Her athleticism and charisma appeal to younger audiences, while her in-ring ability earns respect from hardcore fans. Losing Belair to injury is a blow to RAW, but her eventual return could inject fresh energy into the division.
When she comes back, WWE must capitalize by placing her in meaningful storylines that remind fans why she is a cornerstone of the women’s roster.
Bianca Belair’s Return: What Fans Can Expect
While no official return date has been announced, fans can expect Bianca Belair to come back stronger and hungrier than ever. Her track record suggests she will use this setback as fuel to elevate her performances even further.
Potential return scenarios include:
Challenging Rhea Ripley once again, turning their unfinished WrestleMania business into a long-term feud.
Teaming with Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair in high-profile storylines that showcase the strength of WWE’s women’s roster.
Setting her sights on another championship run, proving that she remains one of the most dominant forces in WWE.
Bianca Belair’s injury update from WrestleMania 41 provides insight into the risks wrestlers take every time they step into the ring. Breaking her finger during a triple German suplex spot was a painful setback, but Belair’s determination to finish the match proved her toughness and commitment to fans.
While her current recovery has slowed her momentum, it also sets the stage for an inspiring comeback. WWE now has the chance to turn her injury into part of her story, highlighting her resilience and setting her up for even bigger achievements in the future.
For fans, one thing is certain: whenever Bianca Belair returns to action, the women’s division will be stronger, and WrestleMania 41 will be remembered as yet another example of why she truly is the EST of WWE.
