It was a rough night for Bianca Belair at WWE SummerSlam as her opponent was switched last minute and she lost her SmackDown Women's Title in a matter of seconds.
Belair was originally scheduled to face Sasha Banks at SummerSlam, but it was announced just before the match that Banks was unable to compete. After Carmella was announced as the replacement, Becky Lynch's music hit and "The Man" made her return. Lynch quickly defeated Belair, capturing the SmackDown Women's Title.
Speaking to Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture at the SummerSlam after-party, Belair, seemingly speaking in-character, said about the loss, "Right now, I'm just trying to collect my thoughts and get my mind together. Everything happened quickly and so fast. I was ready to fight Sasha Banks, and Becky came out, which was an amazing moment and I'm happy to be part of that moment, but I lost my title and right now, I'm just emotional and trying to wrap my mind around it. I have to be honest, I feel defeated right now and okay with being vulnerable and being honest about that. I'm ready to get my title back."
When asked she felt as she heard Becky's music play, Belair said, "It was bittersweet. Becky Lynch, what she's accomplished inside and outside the ring, she's The Man and a legend in the making. It was bittersweet to know she was coming out and to hear that pop from the crowd and hear the vibration from the WWE Universe, it's nothing like you've ever felt before, so to be in the ring and feel all of that was amazing, but at the same time, I was the SmackDown Women's Champion and I knew she was coming for my title. It was bittersweet and I can't help but to be a little sad about the situation and ready to get back in there and get my rematch because I deserve a rematch."
Becky had not been on WWE TV since May 2020 when she announced her pregnancy and relinquished the Raw Women's Championship.
It is unknown as to why Banks missed the bout, but WWE promoted the WrestleMania 37 rematch until the final second before making the announcement that Banks could not compete.
Asked about Banks' absence, Belair replied, "Tonight, it couldn't happen with Sasha Banks, but coming soon it will be a point in time where it will be Sasha Banks and I in the ring again. We're gonna definitely finish what we started off. It's been a tough couple weeks with Sasha Banks and I was ready to put an end to her tonight. Whenever that time happens, I'm gonna be ready to put an end to her again and then move over onto Becky."
It is unknown when Banks will be able to return.
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