4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE WrestleMania 39 Night 2 (Review)

2. Bianca Belair, MVP-EST

At what point should we start including Bianca Belair in the conversation about best big-match performers in WWE history? The Raw Women’s Champion almost always delivers when the lights are brightest, and Sunday at WrestleMania 39 was no different.

The build to Belair’s title defense against Asuka was lacking – to say the least – but even the most cynical fans knew that this match very easily could rule on the night. The match started with Bianca trying to put Asuka away quickly, but the Empress of Tomorrow just as quickly countered and tied her up in various submission holds to force the champ to rethink her strategy.

This gave way to a battle where Belair’s strength and overall athleticism were contrasted with Asuka’s submission game and strikes. But then Asuka got too cute in going for the mist, which Bianca ducked. Asuka managed to lock in an armbar, but Belair’s power game won out and she hit the KOD for the win.

Wonderful match, once against proving that Belair will rise to the occasion every time and produce special moments on the biggest stages. WWE would be wise to figure this out and save her more for those occasions rather than trotting her out on Raw for a six-minute DQ finish.