During Talking Smack this week, Bianca Belair was asked to explain her decision about her WrestleMania 37 opponent and she had this to say (transcript via Wrestling Inc):
“You know, choosing Asuka, you know, she is a great champion in Crude, but the choice seemed so right to choose Sasha Banks. She’s ‘The Boss’, ‘The Standard’ and what another way to do WrestleMania even bigger. Choosing Sasha Banks tonight and being the first two African American women to headline WrestleMania, we just did WrestleMania Larger. It will be a magical night.
“Go to WrestleMania and facing Sasha Banks – being in the ring with Sasha Banks – made that decision so real for me. I don’t know if people noticed, but I was shaking with how excited I was … The moment is not just about us. It is about everyone and what it will represent. “
It is at least possible that Belair vs. Banks ends up as the show’s main event, even for one of the two nights on April 10 or 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This would be important not only for Belair and Banks personally, but, as she mentioned, what it would represent – the first time that women would be the main attractions of the program and the first time that two African American women would be the main attractions of the program.
It is extremely important to show every young African American who is watching that she, too, can reach that point someday. Your dreams are never out of reach, even in a company like WWE.
Let’s hope it happens.