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Bianca Belair Undergoing Finger Surgery: What It Means for WrestleMania

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Harrison | Last updated Feb 15, 2026 10:50 PM ET

Bianca Belair has not wrestled since WrestleMania 41, where she competed in a widely praised Triple Threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY.

Since then, she has appeared only once on WWE programming — serving as the special guest referee for Jade Cargill vs. Naomi at Evolution.

WWE never formally addressed her absence on television or wrote her off through a storyline injury angle. That silence left fans asking the obvious question: Where is Bianca Belair?

Many expected Belair to make a surprise return in the Royal Rumble. But when the No. 30 entrant entered the match and Belair still hadn’t appeared, speculation intensified.

While she has remained active on social media — primarily sharing lifestyle content and occasionally promoting WWE-related events — there have been no concrete hints about her in-ring return timeline.

That changed late Sunday night, February 15.

ROSEMONT, ILLINOIS - JUNE 21: Bianca Belair makes her entrance to the ring for a Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat match during WWE SmackDown at Allstate Arena on June 21, 2024 in Rosemont, Illinois. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)

When Is Bianca Belair Coming Back to WWE?

If you’re a Belair fan hoping for a WrestleMania return, the news is not encouraging.

The former world champion shared on her Instagram Story that she will be undergoing finger surgery.

Bianca Belair announces that she will be undergoing finger surgery tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/0T1V4D4bjW
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 16, 2026

While recovery timelines vary, the timing of the procedure makes it highly unlikely she will be ready in time for a full WrestleMania build.

A surprise appearance at Mania is always possible, but at this stage, it appears unlikely Belair will be part of an official WrestleMania match.

How Did Bianca Belair Get Injured?

Belair suffered the finger injury during her WrestleMania 41 Triple Threat match. She has spoken publicly about the moment it occurred and the lingering pain that followed.

In a sport filled with high-risk maneuvers and physical wear, finger injuries typically don’t sideline performers long-term. However, Belair’s case appears to be more complicated than initially assumed.

One recent social media post also sparked additional fan speculation. In a Valentine’s Day post with, Montez Ford, Belair referenced added “weight,” leading some fans to wonder whether motherhood could be part of her near-term plans.

View this post on Instagram

Belair is 36 years old and married to Ford. If starting a family becomes a priority, her WWE return timeline could extend well beyond WrestleMania season.

For now, though, the confirmed development is the surgery — and that alone significantly clouds her immediate in-ring future.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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