• Absent WWE Star Was Backstage At SmackDown
Bianca Belair has been out of action since suffering a fractured finger during a Triple Threat Match for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 41 in April.
Her most recent main roster appearance was at the Evolution Premium Live Event, where she served as Special Guest Referee for the No Holds Barred match between Naomi and Jade Cargill. She also made an appearance at NXT Homecoming in September.
The EST of WWE has been sidelined longer than expected, with no official return date announced. This is likely due to a slower-than-anticipated recovery.
According to Fightful Select, Belair was backstage at SmackDown at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City this past Friday, though the reason for her presence remains unknown.
• Top Female WWE Star Wants To Face John Cena In His Final Match
John Cena’s farewell bout is just over a month away, with the 17-time World Champion set to retire after his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. on December 13th.
During last night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, WWE announced a 16-man tournament titled “The Last Time Is Now”, which will determine Cena’s final opponent. The bracket will feature stars from RAW, SmackDown, NXT and possibly talent from other promotions.
Cena took to X following the announcement and wrote:
“For over two decades, I have tried to make the most of every opportunity I’ve been presented. On December 13th, I’d like to repay the favor. The Last Time is Now Tournament begins next Monday in Boston!”
Former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley quickly quoted Cena’s post and expressed her interest in participating in the tournament.
“Can women be in the tournament?”
For those who don’t know, Bayley met Cena as a fan in the 2000s:
The tournament is set to begin on November 10th when Cena returns to RAW.
• Rusev Reacts To Report Of Refusing To Put Other Stars Over In AEW
Rusev (fka Miro) was released by WWE in 2020 when the company made budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He joined AEW later that year and returned to WWE on the RAW after WrestleMania earlier this year.
Towards the end of his AEW run, Rusev reportedly had disagreements with company officials. According to the Wrestling Observer, he was off television for an extended period because he refused to take losses and put other stars over.
When asked about this claim in an interview with CBS Sports, The Bulgarian Brute replied:
“In the past five years, I have had 20 or 30 matches. Back in the day, I had 30 matches in 30 days. The dead time sticks out the most. We only have this body and age for so long. We can’t do this job forever, so we must take advantage of it while we’re young. I sat on the sidelines for so long, unable to do what I love, which is performing for people in professional wrestling.”
Rusev lost to “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio in a Triple-Threat Intercontinental Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
