Since making her debut in 2016, Bianca Belair has been one of WWE’s most beloved Superstars

The Grandest Stage of Them All

WWE Superstar Bianca Belair Shares Excitement for WrestleMania 41

BY HEATHER TURK / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WWE

On April 19 and 20, the biggest event in professional wrestling returns to Las Vegas when WrestleMania takes place at Allegiant Stadium.

Wrestling fans from all over the world will travel to the Entertainment Capital of the World for the two-night event, which is just one of several events World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) will bring to Las Vegas in the days leading up to and following its annual “Showcase of the Immortals.” While the Road to WrestleMania is always filled with plenty of twists and turns, Chic Compass caught up with WWE Superstar Bianca Belair last November to talk about WrestleMania 41, her dream match scenarios and her career as one of WWE’s most decorated Superstars.

Chic Compass: It’s been 32 years since WrestleMania was last held in Las Vegas (WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace). What makes Las Vegas the perfect place to hold WrestleMania 41?

Bianca Belair: Las Vegas is the perfect place because WrestleMania is already as big as it is, but Vegas is the Entertainment Capital of the World. You mix WrestleMania and Vegas—I can’t think of anything better. WrestleMania is “The Grandest Stage of Them All,” and I don’t think there’s a better place to have it than Las Vegas. I think it will be the best WrestleMania in history, in my honest opinion.

Chic Compass: I know the card is still being finalized, but everyone knows you can’t have WrestleMania without the “EST” of WWE (Belair’s nickname since she’s, among other superlatives, the quickest, the roughest and the strongest). What would your dream match be for WrestleMania 41?

Bianca Belair: Just being at WrestleMania is a dream in itself. Everyone’s goal is to get to WrestleMania because it’s our Super Bowl of the year. With our roster getting so big and stacked with talent, it’s a fight to get to WrestleMania. But if I could have my dream match, if it’s a tag team match, I don’t know if this would be possible, but I’d say it would be against Natalya and Beth Phoenix or Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Those two acts could be huge. For a singles match, Charlotte Flair or Rhea Ripley.

Chic Compass: Having competed at several WrestleManias in the past, what has been your favorite WrestleMania moment thus far?

Bianca Belair: My favorite moment was WrestleMania 37, where I made history by becoming one of the first Black females to main event WrestleMania. It was more than just a match. It was a moment that will go down in history, impacting and influencing future generations. Everyone won that night, and we also won an ESPY from that match.

Chic Compass: You’re known for making your own wrestling gear. Have you given any thought yet as to what you want to do for WrestleMania 41?

Bianca Belair: As soon as you’re finished with WrestleMania, the very next day, you’re already prepping for the next one because WrestleMania is what everybody looks forward to. You’re probably thinking about your match, entrance and gear because everyone wants to bring their A-game to WrestleMania. I’ve been brainstorming, but nothing has come to me yet regarding my gear. I will experiment and put everything into it because I’m always trying to top myself from the previous year. I want to make sure it’s something amazing.

Chic Compass: WrestleMania is known for its grand entrances, and you’ve had some memorable entrances in the past. If you could have anyone perform your entrance theme at this year’s WrestleMania, who would it be?

Bianca Belair: It’s so hard because I’m such a fan of so many people, but if I could have Beyoncé bring me out, that would be crazy.

Chic Compass: One thing announced for WrestleMania 41 is that this will be John Cena’s final WrestleMania. Looking back on his storied career, do you have a favorite memory of him?

Bianca Belair: I’m a big John Cena fan, so I love many of his matches, but my favorite moments of his are those that happen behind the scenes because I feel that’s what makes him who he is. It’s not just who he is in the ring; it’s who he is outside of the ring that makes him a Superstar and a champion at all times. He’s always sitting at a TV backstage, watching everyone’s matches. He’s learning about his craft, but he’s also giving gems to other people by watching everyone’s matches, and then when the talent comes through the curtain, he pulls them aside and gives them advice. He wants to give back to this business.

Chic Compass: You were recently in Las Vegas for ComplexCon. What are some of your favorite things to do in town that you’d recommend to those visiting for WrestleMania?

Bianca Belair: I’ve been to Vegas a couple of times with my husband (WWE Superstar Montez Ford). We went there the day after we got engaged, so we celebrated our fifth anniversary and renewed our vows in Vegas. We love to go to the Grand Canyon, stop at the Vegas sign and see shows—we just went and saw “O.” We also like Fremont Street. It’s so much fun and one of our favorite spots.

Chic Compass: The women’s division in WWE continues to impress, and I would be remiss not to mention all the talent in NXT (WWE’s developmental brand). Is there anyone in NXT you’re looking forward to getting in the ring with one day on Raw or SmackDown?

Bianca Belair: NXT has a lot of talent right now. Kelani Jordan is amazing. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson were just in an eight-women tag match in Saudi Arabia and impressed many people. You have Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley and Stephanie Vaquer just hit the scene. It’s growing more and more. I love that because they’re the future. One day, they’re going to be on Raw and SmackDown. The company is in good hands right now, but it will be in even better hands in the future with the women continuing to show up, show out and showcase themselves.

Chic Compass: You’ve been a big inspiration to the women’s division, having held the WWE Women’s Championship, the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Who has been your favorite opponent over the years?

Bianca Belair: I have two. Bayley is amazing. She was one of the first people with whom I had one of my first feuds. She introduced me to the WWE Universe. She’s talented, selfless and an amazing person. Even though we have our differences when it comes to our characters, she’s a great example of who you should be inside and outside of the ring. The other is Becky Lynch. She recently did an interview where she called me her wrestling soulmate, and I couldn’t agree more. We’re great together; we make magic happen. She has done so much in the women’s division to help it evolve and grow. She’s amazing. I have learned a lot from both of them. I want to do the same for others in this business as they have done.

Chic Compass: Throughout most of your career, you’ve been a babyface (a wrestling term for a good guy). Do you ever want to become a heel (villain) again?

Bianca Belair: Being a heel is a lot of fun. You get to do whatever you want to do. Heels can go out there and get booed, and they’re doing their job, or they can get cheered, and people say they’re still doing their job. Being a babyface is more difficult, but I love the challenge and the impact. I connect with my fans and younger fans, which gives me purpose. Anything can happen in WWE, though. I was a heel in NXT, and it was a lot of fun, but they’re both fun in their own way.

Chic Compass: Outside of the ring, you recently appeared in an episode of “Bel-Air.” Do you want to appear in more TV shows in the future?

Bianca Belair: Yes, it’s always been a goal of mine. Right now, I enjoy being a WWE Superstar, and I’m still perfecting my craft, but I would love to venture out more. “Bel-Air” was an amazing experience. Everyone was super nice. I’m a fan of the show, so it meant even more that I got to be a part of it. I think WWE opens the door for many of us, and I’ve always said, “WWE Superstars—we do it all.” We’re a perfect fit for TV shows and movies, so I would love to capitalize on that in the future.

Chic Compass: You also recently starred in your own reality TV series with your husband, “Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez.” People always say you shouldn’t mix your personal and professional lives, but I would imagine that it’s a lot easier to be married to someone who understands the business.

Bianca Belair: I’m blessed to do what I love with the person I love. When you have huge accomplishments, and your significant other is there, they’re not just happy for you because of that accomplishment—they’ve been there through the ups and the downs, the nights you’re venting, and the nights when you’re trying to figure out your gear and are perfecting your craft. They’ve been there for all those moments, so they understand the significance of when something amazing happens. But it’s a balance. We both go through our own things. Sometimes, I need to vent, but he needs to vent at the same time. But it’s moments when I accomplish something, and he’s there with me, or when he accomplishes something, and I’m right there with him, and I know how much it means to him; I think that’s the best part of it.

Chic Compass: Finally, we talked about your dream match at WrestleMania 41, but what would your dream match be for Montez?

Bianca Belair: Oh, man. Dream scenario for Montez at WrestleMania? He’s been in a tag team called The Street Profits with Angelo Dawkins. I’ve been there since the very beginning when they first started, and I know how hard they’ve been working. In my opinion, they’re one of the best tag teams. Their dream opponent would be The Usos. Getting the gold at WrestleMania would be something that would be very special to them. But for my husband as a singles competitor? I know he wants to be a champion, so a dream match for him is anything where he gets to hold gold because he deserves it.

Tickets for WrestleMania 41 are now on sale at ticketmaster.com. Additionally, fans can purchase WrestleMania Priority Pass ticket packages from WWE’s official fan hospitality partner, On Location, which includes a variety of unforgettable experiences, including exclusive events with some WWE Superstars. Visit www.onlocationexp.com/wwe/wrestlemania-tickets for more details.