Since the 2023 Draft, earlier this year, Bianca Belair has been considered to be a top draw for the WWE Smackdown brand. While she continued to be involved in top storylines since that shift from the red to the blue brand, it might be time for her to take time off from WWE’s rigorous schedule after working tirelessly for the past three years.
In early August, Belair captured the WWE Women’s Championship at Summerslam 2023 by defeating Asuka in a triple-threat match that included Charlotte Flair. Belair’s third reign as the champion would be short-lived, as IYO SKY would quickly cash in her Money in the Bank contract after the match to become the new champion. Despite being a heel on WWE Smackdown, the cash-in was highly cheered by the fans.
It was during that match that Belair was hurt after getting thrown into the steel steps by Flair. There was a point when the WWE Officials took her out of the equation into the backstage area. But being a fighting babyface persona, she came back and won that match showing tremendous resiliency.
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Bianca Belair suffered a kayfabe injury on WWE Smackdown
Then during the August 18 episode of WWE SmackDown in Toronto, Canada, Flair and Belair were victorious in a tag team match against SKY and her Damage CTRL ally Bayley. After the match, Belair was attacked by Damage CTRL, and her already injured knee was further ruptured. This was done to set up a kayfabe injury so that she could be kept off from TV.
Fightful Select reports that this knee injury is just a storyline that will allow Belair to take some earlier planned time off WWE Smackdown. This hiatus has already been factored into WWE’s creative direction, and it is unknown how long she’ll be gone. Reports further noted that this break can range from a few weeks to possibly three months.
It was further noted how the top WWE Smackdown would receive “constant praise” during her record-breaking tenure as the Women’s Champion for her efforts to represent the company. WWE was reportedly impressed over how she handled “insane media schedule” and the “community events” during that period. So, whenever she returns, it’s safe to assume that her protected TV character won’t be hurt by this hiatus.
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