Bad News for WWE Fans: Bianca Belair Won’t Wrestle Again This Year

Bianca Belair has been off TV since WrestleMania 41, and the latest update is not the one fans were hoping for. The injury is nastier than it first looked, the timeline is longer than anyone expected, and WWE is already sketching out a major return program for her down the line.

What happened at WrestleMania 41

Belair hurt her finger during the triple-threat match with Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 41. On paper, a finger sounds minor. In reality, this one got ugly. During a recent Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp said the break was one of the worst kinds you can get and it even messed with her knuckle. He also noted that Belair was in town for last week’s SmackDown, but she didn’t appear on camera.

Backstage, people apparently didn’t realize how bad it was at first, partly because Belair is built different and didn’t react like most would. Then the swelling hit and reality set in.

Her finger "blew up backstage."

Even with all that, she’s stayed calm about the situation. The sense from people around her is that she didn’t think it would cost her this much time either.

The timeline just got a lot longer

Bodyslam.net reports that folks behind the scenes in WWE don’t expect Belair to be back in the ring until 2026. That wipes out any hope of a 2025 return and marks the longest stretch she’s been sidelined since she became one of the company’s top stars.

WWE already has the comeback feud in mind

Despite the long layoff, WWE creative is working toward Belair vs Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42. The idea is a generational showdown between two ridiculous athletes with very different vibes: Cargill as a dominant heel with crossover appeal and a chip on her shoulder, and Belair as the EST who represents resilience and legacy.

The seeds were planted while Belair’s been out. Cargill turned heel on the October 24, 2025 SmackDown and has been moved up the board as a top contender since. If they lock this in, it would be Cargill’s biggest spotlight since she signed and Belair’s first major singles match after the injury. Given their reputations (and those unbeaten runs in past promotions), it could shake up the women’s division heading into 2026.

Where things stand

• Injury: Serious finger break at WrestleMania 41 vs Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley; severe enough to affect the knuckle.
• Backstage note: Belair was in town for last week’s SmackDown but didn’t appear on camera; initial reactions underestimated the injury because she kept it cool; the finger later "blew up backstage."
• Return timeline: Internal expectation is no in-ring return until 2026, per Bodyslam.net. That’s her longest absence since becoming a top roster name.
• Creative plans: WWE is aiming for Bianca Belair vs Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42.
• Jade’s rise: Turned heel on the October 24, 2025 SmackDown and has been positioned as a top contender.
• Why it matters: Would be Cargill’s biggest WWE showcase and Belair’s first major singles match since the injury; potential to reorder the division going into 2026.

Bottom line: the match they want is big, the timeline is long, and the only real question is whether Belair’s hand cooperates in time for WrestleMania 42.