Ahead of her challenge to Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Title this Sunday at WrestleMania 42, Rhea Ripley discusses the absence of Bianca Belair. Ripley was the last opponent for Belair, along with IYO SKY, at last year’s WrestleMania. Belair injured her finger in that match and has more recently had surgery.
While speaking with ShakWrestling, Ripley said the following about Belair.
“Yeah, she is [a great contribution to the roster]. It’s not the same. 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 circumstances, because that finger be looking nasty. Like, it’s shocked me that’s she’s been out for nearly a year from a finger injury, something that seems so small but something that is so big. I’ve seen the photos, she sent me the photos. They’re pretty gnarly looking. I really hope that she comes back soon. I really do, but that finger is 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, but I don’t know how long that’s going to be.” (Fightful/Transcript)
Ripley is about to participate in her seventh WrestleMania.