SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley
Bianca Belair made history at WrestleMania when she won the SmackDown women’s championship in the main event from The Boss, Sasha Banks. Their match was one of the highlights of the entire weekend, and Bianca finally lived up to her moniker, The EST.
Bayley, on the other hand, did not have a match on either night. Instead, she desperately tried to insert herself into several storylines and backstage moments, including attempting to steal the spotlight from The Bella Twins, only to be thrown down the ramp by the hall of famers. Overall, Bayley has had better weekends.
Tonight, at WrestleMania Backlash, Bayley is out to remind everyone why she is the longest-reigning SmackDown women’s champion.
The Road to WrestleMania Backlash
The brass tacks are Bayley and Bianca simply do not like each other. From the moment she appeared on the SmackDown roster, Bayley has made it her personal mission to embarrass and torment her. Bayley views Bianca as threat number one to her record title reign. Why else would she challenge her to a literal obstacle course?
The threat of Bianca became even more real for Bayley when Bianca side stepped their feud and focused her energy and efforts on winning the championship from Sasha Banks at WrestleMania. Bayley is nothing if not persistent, however, and when the opportunity to reignite her feud with Bianca post mania presented itself, the role model was there to challenge the new champion.
Bayley may have concocted this false narrative of Bianca being a rookie that just got lucky, but Bianca is not one to shy away from a fight. In weeks leading up the WrestleMania Backlash, Bayley has laughed in Bianca’s face, talked smack (heh) about her backstage, and gotten a few lucky shots off when Bianca wasn’t prepared. Still, the champion made it known on the go-home show that she is prepared to stoop to Bayley’s petty level.
This feud is personal. Bianca doesn’t like that Bayley is constantly undermining her, and Bayley is sick of seeing a warped version of herself with her title. A sentiment she made abundantly clear when she said, “You know what, Bianca? When I see you out there waving your stupid little ponytail and walking around with your shiny sequins craving attention, it feels like I’m looking into the mirror of my own past, and let me tell you from experience that this little fairy tale reign of yours doesn’t end well.”
And that’s really what this feud is. It’s not really about Bianca’s championship reign. It’s about Bayley’s feelings of inadequacy.
What’s at stake
This is Bianca’s first title defense. If she loses, not only does she lose the championship, but she’ll lose a hell of a lot of credibility as a competitor. Thankfully, the likelihood of that happening is slim. Bayley exists in this feud to help give Bianca bragging rights. After this match, she can say she beat the longest-reigning SmackDown women’s champion.
And Bayley? Bayley will be fine. She’ll continue to cover up her imposter syndrome with weird outfits and brash laughter like the rest of us sheeple. After all, if she can survive the embarrassment of being left off the WrestleMania card, she can survive another loss to the EST.
Bianca Belair will defend her championship against Bayley at WrestleMania Backlash exclusively on Peacock. Be sure to check back in at CagesideSeats.com for all of your PPV coverage.