WWEditorials XXIV: The Best At Being BIG TIME! (Becky Lynch/Bianca Belair)

Written by,
Will W. Erins

The rivalry of Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair has been some of the best storytelling in WWE.

In today’s wrestling product the way you get over is not by simply being a great wrestler although its a matter of preference at that point. However, the large majority would rather be invested in a wrestler who can not only perform in-ring feats but also able to tell a story by emoting, cutting a compelling promo that will grab the attention of the audience. The likes of Mae Young, Charlotte Flair, Trish Stratus, Lita, Bayley and many others have trail blazed their way in showcasing their wrestling abilities while setting the mic on fire with telling their story. The two women that’s been showcasing this in their own way, against one another has been Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair.

Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair have not only managed to cultivate a following with their fans but tell a year long story that culminated in three matches. In WWE, there are moments when storytelling truly shines through and pays off in more ways than one. Rock/Austin, Punk/Cena, Trish/Lita, or Triple H/Batista are just a few examples that having a deep emotional connection to the audience and taking the time to branch out storytelling can payoff.

The ‘Women’s Revolution‘ has produced some amazing historic moments for women’s wrestling in the WWE from Charlotte Flair historic title reigns to having an all-women’s premium live event, ‘Evolution‘ but nothing has come close to the way Becky Lynch organically winning over the WWE Universe with her various wins in 2018 to earn her a title match with Carmella then with Charlotte Flair being added to the match. Flair would end up winning the match then, showed Lynch turning on her with a brutal attack effectively turning her heel. Lynch would later gain immense support from the audience which led both Flair and herself to feud at Hell in A Cell. Lynch would win the match and become SmackDown Women’s Champion for the second time. As Lynch would continue to display why she was one of the great in the ring she would dub herself “The Man“, claiming to be the top wrestler in the company. She would feud with the likes of Ronda Rousey, Asuka, and Flair. Her infamous moment that would skyrocket her stardom to new heights was when she led an “invasion” on Raw during the build to Survivor Series. After getting punched in the nose by Nia Jax. It was her unfazed and images of her bloodstained that turned her into a star overnight.

Lynch would only take her big time career to new heights as she would take on both Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey in the first ever women’s main event at WrestleMania in a Winner Takes All Match for both the RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champions. Lynch would walk out the winner as she would later become “Becky Two Belts“. There hasn’t been one woman to complete be bulletproof no matter what she did than Becky Lynch and that proved all the more correct when she held the Raw Women’s Champion for a record breaking 398 days.

Becky Lynch would end up relinquishing the title to Asuka, who won the previous night’s MITB match which was actually for the title due to Lynch‘s real-life pregnancy.

It would only be interesting to see Lynch taking a step back to be a mother to see a mother in her own right making her debut on the main roster only to take the star spotlight left by Becky Lynch. That star who not only was also in NXT but made a name for herself with her raw strength and truly amazing charisma is Bianca Belair. However, she would later leave RAW to be drafted to SmackDown during the 2020 Draft in October. Much like Becky Lynch‘s found success on the Friday night brand, Belair would make history for herself by first winning the 2021 Royal Rumble. She would become the first African American woman to win it and the second black wrestler to win the match next to The Rock. Following that with, choosing Sasha Banks to face at WrestleMania 37 for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. This match was the first ever match to feature two women of color main eventing the biggest show in the company. Belair would go on to win the title match , marking her first title win in her career on the main roster.

Later in the year, Belair was scheduled to face Banks for the title at SummerSlam but Banks was replaced by Carmella due to injury. After which, a returning Becky Lynch would attack Carmella and replacing her. Belair would accept Lynch‘s challenge and would lose the title in 26 seconds. You could feel the intensity after that match, like things between these two were only just beginning. Belair would feud with both Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks for a few months but it always felt like Becky Lynch had Blair’s number in every encounter they had. At the this year’s Royal Rumble, Belair would enter the at #8 but was unsuccessful when she was eliminated by Charlotte Flair. That wasn’t the end of Belair‘s chance to capture the title back from Lynch as she would win the Elimination Chamber match to get an opportunity at WrestleMania. During their second encounter, Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair not only told a compelling story but managed to prove why two totally determined women aren’t afraid to be as vindictive than other. Lynch would attempt to cut Belair‘s hair after being whipped with her ponytail but the tables would turn having Belair cut Lynch‘s hair.

Their match at WrestleMania 38 would show why telling a story and their athletic ability can catapult the audience watching to be invested in both women involved. In their final encounter at SummerSlam 2022, Belair would not only show her dominance but prove that her 26 second lost a year prior was just a rookie move of shock even after accepting it. Becky Lynch would show that she’s an amazing athlete willing to help build others with her star power but most importantly show why telling a story of redemption can work in an effective way.

In the end, both Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair have managed to make history in their own rights. They came from NXT where they honed their craft even if they didn’t hold the NXT Women’s Championship. Their matches over the last year just shows they can bring the best out of each other no matter how many times they get in the ring. One has the style of bruiser while the other brings the powerhouse aspect to the rivalry. There’s one thing for certain, that the future for both Lynch and Belair will only getting brighter for them as there’s many women to have incredible matches with them. It’s for the simple fact that they are the best at being BIG TIME!