It’s been the year of the EST.
On Monday Night RAW, Bianca Belair met Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women’s Title, and both of these women showed up and showed out. It was a sight to see, and they DID that. Although Belair would be given her flowers here, and let’s go back to the Rumble.
When she won the Rumble we knew she would face Sasha Banks, and a dream match would be given to us. While there was no doubt that Banks could and would give her a great match, the fear of what would happen to Belair down the line, and if, talented though she is, could she rise to the occasion? The answer was yes.
Belair has had her share of critics in the wider world of wrestling, however. While I was concerned about how she could handle having big matches, people were and have outright trashed her. Sam Roberts went in on her abilities and her worthiness in 2019, and Jim Cornette, who admittedly hates any female wrestler who is not Charlotte Flair or Rhea Ripley, has been very vocal about her promo skills, her perceived lack of size, and anything that doesn’t make her Flair or Ripley.
Yet, through all of this, she has done battle with all four horsewomen this year in that of Banks, Bayley, Flair, and Becky Lynch. This includes a victory inside Hell in a Cell and being the only woman NOT part of the Four Horsewomen to enter the demonic structure. In each match, she proved her critics wrong and has delivered strong match after strong match. Her mic work has seen a more confident, self-assured Belair, and she has worked hard to step her game up. On Monday, it showed.
Not only was she able to hang with four of the generation’s most talented wrestlers, male or female in the horsewomen, but she also took them to their limits and looked every inch a star. Her star power was something I knew she could and would be when she graced our screens back in the first Mae Young Classic in 2017.
It has been a pleasure to have reported one of her first matches during the MYC. It’s been great to see where she has taken her talent. Outside of Alicia Fox, Molly Holly, Naomi, and Charlotte, you don’t see very many women pick up wrestling so quickly.
With two months left in the year, and with Belair handing in some of the best matches on the women’s side all year, I expect to see her do great things. Possibly win more gold, and REMIND the nay-sayers why she is the EST.
Message from the Author: Hello, guys! It’s been a long time! I’m so sorry! Working two full-time jobs and having spent most of the summer sick while dealing with losses of friends and family kept me out, but I will do what I can to be back with you, my Diva-Dirt family!
What are your thoughts on Bianca Belair’s 2021? Join in on the discussion below.
