Bianca Belair has been sidelined for almost a year following a severe finger injury sustained during WrestleMania 41, where she competed in the Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. After undergoing surgery and completing eight months of rehabilitation, Belair is finally on track to return to WWE, sparking speculation about how she might re-enter the ring.
Despite being featured in promotional material for WrestleMania 42, backstage reports suggest she may not be ready to compete at that event. WWE fans are eagerly anticipating her comeback, and here are three surprising scenarios for Bianca Belair’s WWE return after her lengthy absence.
Unexpected Reappearance in the Women’s Money in the Bank Match
Following WrestleMania, the Money in the Bank pay-per-view stands out as a major event where many storylines develop. Typically, participants earn their spots through qualifying bouts on RAW and SmackDown. Bianca Belair could surprise everyone by either appearing in these qualifiers or making a sudden return during the Money in the Bank pay-per-view itself.
An unexpected comeback during the ladder match would electrify the audience and immediately place Belair in contention to win. This strategy would give her a significant boost in momentum, reestablishing her as a top contender just as she resumes her in-ring career.
Return to Compete in the Queen of the Ring Tournament
If the Money in the Bank match comes too soon for her return, Bianca Belair could instead re-enter WWE action through the Queen of the Ring tournament. In 2024, she reached the semifinals but was eliminated by Nia Jax, the eventual winner.
This year, Belair could make a commanding run in the tournament upon her return, capturing the crown and earning a title opportunity at SummerSlam. Such a path would remind fans why she is a prominent star and advance her position within the championship picture ahead of WWE’s signature summer event.
Face-Off Against Jade Cargill to Ignite a High-Stakes Rivalry
With Jade Cargill holding the WWE Women’s Championship for over 100 days and recently defending the title against Jordynne Grace on the Friday Night Show, she remains a dominant and arrogant champion. So far, no babyface wrestler on the roster has succeeded in positioning themselves as a credible challenger to Cargill’s rule.
Bianca Belair could return on an upcoming episode of SmackDown and confront her former tag team partner, Jade Cargill, setting the stage for an intense rivalry. Using their shared history would allow WWE to create a high-profile feud immediately, without requiring extensive buildup, while providing Cargill with a much-needed worthy adversary.
Bianca Belair’s eventual comeback is highly anticipated given her stature in WWE. Whichever path she follows—whether as a surprise Money in the Bank contender, a dominant Queen of the Ring competitor, or a direct challenger to the reigning Women’s Champion—her return promises to shake up the women’s division and captivate fans. The next few months will reveal how WWE chooses to reintroduce the EST and reignite her journey toward championship glory.
Bianca Belair is officially on the road to recovery 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4EIXLhotk6
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) February 19, 2026
