Why are Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair storyline meeting at Wrestlemania?

Two of the most charismatic women’s superstars in the WWE will meet, and possibly main even main even Night 1 of Wrestlemania at Raymond James Stadium as Smackdown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks will defend her title against the fast rising Bianca Belair.

The two have been on a collision course for months and even after a weird build to this match, it could go down as the bout that people remember moving forward.

Why are they fighting?

Storyline perspective

With a load of fan support behind her, Belair’s push began around Survivor Series last November, and afterwards she showcased both her personality and physical abilities in a feud with Bayley. The rookie’s push to the top of the card was officially stamped with a seal of approval on Jan. 31 when she won the Royal Rumble to earn a championship opportunity at Wrestlemania.

With the option to fight either the Raw, Smackdown, or NXT women’s champion at the Showcase of the Immortals, Belair made it official at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in February that she’d be gunning after Smackdown champion Sasha Banks.

From there, well, the story got kind of weird. They proceeded to spend weeks pairing Belair and Banks in a tag team and having them feud with women’s tag champs Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax, all while introducing former Carmella valet Reginald into the story for some reason. This strange detour from the Mania build culminated with miscommunication costing Banks/Belair in their tag title match at the Fastlane PPV, leading to Banks shoving her after the match.

With only weeks to go, the build to their Mania match has seemingly gotten back on track and all signs are pointing to the feud continuing even after Wrestlemania.

Real life perspective

As has been mentioned before, Belair has been one of the brightest young stars that the WWE has gone out of their way to showcase over the last five months. From a character standpoint, the former University of Tennessee track and field standout has the athleticism, the personality and the mic skills needed to make a star. From an out of the ring standpoint, she’s served as an inspiration by opening up about her battles with depression and eating disorders from a young age.

This match could be the coronation of a major player in the company for the next decade-plus and a veteran force like Sasha Banks is the perfect person to help put her over.