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WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has proposed a significant character shift for Bianca Belair when she eventually returns to the company from injury. Belair has been sidelined since WrestleMania 41 in April, where she sustained a hand injury during the Women’s World Championship triple threat match involving herself, IYO SKY, and Rhea Ripley. Belair made a brief, non-wrestling appearance in July, serving as the special guest referee for the match between Jade Cargill and Naomi at the WWE Evolution event. However, she has remained absent from WWE programming since then as she continues her recovery. The landscape of the SmackDown women’s division shifted on the most recent episode when Jade Cargill turned heel, attacking WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton. This turn provides context for Mark Henry’s suggestion. Henry, who played a key role in the process that led to Belair initially joining WWE, believes “The EST” should embrace her darker side upon returning. Speaking on Busted Open, Henry pitched the idea of Belair returning as a heel, possibly forming an alliance with the newly villainous Cargill, though not necessarily as a formal tag team. “Hopefully in the future, when she heals up and she’s 100%, Bianca Belair comes back,” Henry began. He then praised Belair’s past work as a heel during her time in NXT. “There was not a better heel in the history of NXT than Bianca was. She was the ultimate heel. It got her her job on the main roster.” Henry acknowledged her successful run as a babyface but suggested revisiting her original persona. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JANUARY 28: Bianca Belair is introduced prior to the Raw Women’s championship during the WWE Royal Rumble event at the Alamodome on January 28, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. “And then, for whatever reason, the crowd loved on her and they turned her babyface.” Henry highlighted the real-life friendship between Belair and Cargill as a potential storyline foundation. “But her and Jade are so close, why would they not allow them to – not be a tag team – but just to be support systems for each other, and get to the point that, ‘Hey, maybe one of these days we’re gonna have to cross paths, but we’re not gonna talk about that until it happens.’ And just allow them to be two evil people in pro-wrestling, which I would love.” While Belair remains on the sidelines, Jade Cargill is set to capitalize on her heel turn immediately. Following her attack on Tiffany Stratton, Cargill will challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event this coming Saturday, November 1st, in Salt Lake City. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match With Survivor Series: WarGames scheduled for November 29th, the outcome of the Cargill vs. Stratton match could significantly impact the SmackDown women’s division heading into the WarGames event. A potential Cargill championship win could set the stage for Belair’s return as a powerful ally, creating a dominant heel force on the blue brand as WWE builds towards the end-of-year spectacle in San Diego. More WWE News: Released WWE Superstar Retires From Pro Wrestling Released WWE Star Breaks Silence On Departure Released WWE Star Wants To Join AEW For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
