Report: Bianca Belair nearing WWE return

A finger injury has kept Bianca Belair on the sidelines since WrestleMania, but it looks like that will be changing soon.

WrestleVotes reports that Belair is nearing a return and could be introduced back onto WWE television soon after SummerSlam. The report says she’s expected to be medically cleared next week.

“According to sources, we are told Bianca Belair is closing in on her return,” WrestleVotes tweeted. “The former 3 time Women’s Champion is expected to be cleared for action this upcoming week and could appear as soon as the SmackDown following SummerSlam on 8/9. She won’t be cleared ahead of this weekend, per one source.”

Belair was involved in an instant classic at WrestleMania 41 this April, facing off against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match for the Women’s World Championship. Belair broke her finger during the match but recently told CBS Sports that she’s on the “tail end” of the healing process.

“I broke it in three places and the joint. It healed, but it won’t bend,” she said. “You can’t wrestle with a straight finger because it’ll break again… I can’t even sew right now. I can’t even make gear.”

Belair has made a couple of appearances for WWE while sidelined, including being the special guest referee for Jade Cargill vs. Naomi at Evolution.

Naomi is the current Women’s World Champion after cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase during SKY vs. Ripley at Evolution. At SummerSlam night two this Sunday, Naomi is defending the title in a triple threat against those two competitors. Cargill is challenging Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship on night one.