Bianca Belair is no stranger to the biggest stages of professional wrestling, and her upcoming match at WWE Money in the Bank is no different. Ahead of the show, she spoke with Denise Salcedo about her title bout and her nixed clash with Rhea Ripley.
When it comes to preparation, Belair’s mindset is all about staying as consistently ready as possible, and that’s because of how fast things can change in the WWE. This constant state of change was illustrated on the road to Money in the Bank; “The EST” was scheduled to face Ripley, but the match was changed when the latter went down with an injury. The champion made it clear that, no matter what, she still intends to prove that she’s the best and retain the gold.
“Well I always say that I stay ready so I don’t have to get ready,” Belair said. “You know, WWE opportunities come out of nowhere, things change out of nowhere. I’m now facing Carmella instead of Rhea Ripley, so I always that I prepare and train, not when the opportunity presents itself, I train and prepare all year long so that when the opportunity comes, I’m ready. So no matter who I’m facing, I’m not underestimating anybody, I’m going out there, I’m going to show that I’m the EST of WWE, and walk out of Money in the Bank as RAW Women’s Champion.”
Though Belair will no longer be facing “The Nightmare” on Sunday, the reigning RAW Women’s Champion is still ready to see her in the future. “The EST” acknowledged that a match between the two would be something to behold because they’re two of the top stars in WWE’s new generation.
“You know, I think it’s already out there in the universe, everybody’s already excited about it,” said Belair. “When I was watching the match and I saw Rhea Ripley won, I would be facing Rhea Ripley next, I was excited for it. With the history that we have, from NXT to the Royal Rumbles, to WrestleMania 37, when she was RAW Women’s Champion and I was SmackDown Women’s Champion, so you know, she’s held this title before.
“So I’m excited for it. I think that Rhea Ripley and I are both at the forefront of a new generation of women’s wrestling, of women in WWE, and we’re just kind of doing it big on both sides right now, so any time I can get in the ring with Rhea Ripley, I’m excited for it, I’m happy for it. I know she’s had a little bit of change of…whatever she’s going through right now with Judgment Day, but listen, I’m the EST of WWE, so we’re going to throw it down in the ring when that time comes.”
RELATED: Bianca Belair Wants To Face Ronda Rousey, Expresses Her Interest In Intergender Matches
