Bianca Belair Shares Surgery Update — When Will She Return?
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For nearly a year, Bianca Belair has been sidelined. With the Royal Rumble behind us and the Elimination Chamber fast approaching, fans are wondering if The EST will return in time for WrestleMania 42.
Now we have our answer. And it’s not the one fans were hoping for.
Surgery Confirmed After Months of Questions
After appearing in Riyadh but not competing in the Royal Rumble, Belair finally broke her silence via Instagram. She revealed she underwent surgery on February 16, nearly 10 months after breaking her finger in the triple threat match at WrestleMania 41.
In the clips, her doctor explains the importance of immediately pushing swelling out and breaking up scar tissue, even just one day post-operation. The rehab process is clearly painful, but Belair appears locked in on finally getting better.
Why Wait 10 Months for Surgery?
Six months ago, Belair spoke with Chris Van Vliet about the injury. At the time, she said the finger had “healed,” but it wouldn’t fully straighten. Her knuckle remained swollen to the point she couldn’t wear her wedding ring. She also revealed she had broken the joint in two to three places and still felt lingering pain.
On the surface, it sounded manageable. But joint fractures are a different beast.
When a break involves the joint surface, the smooth area where bones meet, complications increase significantly. Improper healing can lead to stiffness, scar tissue buildup, bone spurs, and even long-term arthritis. In many complex cases, surgery becomes inevitable if mobility doesn’t return.
Delaying surgery isn’t uncommon for high-level athletes. Doctors and patients often attempt conservative treatment first, hoping to avoid surgical risks. But if the joint surface heals unevenly or scar tissue physically blocks movement, the only solution is to go back in and correct it.
And the longer you wait, the more complicated that procedure becomes.
What the Recovery Timeline Looks Like Now
According to Google AI, if surgery had happened immediately after the injury, recovery could have looked like this:
- 4-6 weeks healing
- 4-8 weeks physical therapy
- Return to light activity within 2-3 months
But because the procedure was delayed nearly 10 months, this becomes more than a simple repair. Surgeons often must:
- Remove hardened scar tissue
- Reshape uneven bone surfaces
- Correct joint alignment
- Potentially re-break and reset the area
Now the realistic recovery window shifts to:
- 8-12 weeks for bone healing
- 8-12 weeks of physical therapy
- Custom splinting for up to 6 weeks
- Light activity in 6-14 weeks
- Full strength potentially taking up to 6 months
With WrestleMania 42 right around the corner, that timeline simply doesn’t work.
Bianca Belair Provides Emotional Update
On February 19, Belair shared a heartfelt post, which we highlighted in our latest YouTube video breaking down her surgery and potential return timeline:
What This Means for WrestleMania 42
Simply put: Bianca Belair will not be wrestling at WrestleMania — and that’s a major loss for WWE’s women’s division. If her recovery progresses smoothly, a late 2026 return feels realistic. Still, WWE will almost certainly give her all the time she needs to ensure she comes back at full strength rather than rushing the process.
Belair’s road back won’t be hurried. Missing WrestleMania 42 stings, but long-term health has to come first. And when The EST finally steps back into the ring, it won’t just feel like a return, it’ll feel like a main event.
After all, she is the The StrongEST, The FastEST, The RoughEST, and The ToughEST.
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