WrestleMania is the known as “The Superbowl of Sports Entertainment” and two women of African American heritage made history by being the main event of the show.
With an event that is known for having men headlining the biggest wrestling show of the year, it was a historic moment when the WWE surprisingly place Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair into the main event spot. A position that in the long history of WWE has been given to the likes of Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, The Rock, and Steve Austin.
WWE’s marquee event before the covid-19 pandemic was a one night affair, but this changed in 2020 when it went to a two night format. This format change was similar to wrestling shows in the past that was presented on multiple nights that mirror events such as Woodstock in the 60’s.
Sasha Banks has been one of the more popular stars in the women’s division in the last few years. She made her WrestleMania debut in a big way in a match that brought back the traditional women’s championship after years of the company only having a “Diva’s Title”. She appeared at WrestleMania 32 with her cousin Snoop Dogg.
Although she didn’t walk away at the event that year with the championship, she consistently remained a top star for the company. Bianca Belair made her WrestleMania debut last night (April 11th), but she had a different outcome than Banks did in her debut appearance.
As the match began, we see how the women couldn’t hold back their emotion. Tears of joy ran down their faces as they took in the moment of their historic encounter on the grandest stage of WWE.
Emotional moment between Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair. #WWE #WrestleMania
— GetTheTables (@GetTheTables_) April 11, 2021
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was a guest on The Bill Simmons Podcast, and while telling the host who the company sees as their biggest stars, McMahon said:
“But you can’t discount our women as well. I mean you’ve got Sasha Banks, and Sasha & Bianca [Belair] is newer, but they’re gonna be headlining Night One of WrestleMania. That’s gonna be pretty special and spectacular.”
The women of the business congratulated Bianca Belair on becoming the new champion and also for putting on an entertaining encounter. The daughter of the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair saluted the women for their work along with many others as you can see below.
Congratulations @BiancaBelairWWE
⭐️ 🌟 💫 Incredible!!!— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) April 11, 2021
Amazing main event!!! Props to @SashaBanksWWE and CONGRATS to @BiancaBelairWWE!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/eQi9L05jdf
— Leah Van Dale (@CarmellaWWE) April 11, 2021
OMG that was LOUD!!
Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair #WrestleMania #WrestleMania37 Hair Whip 😮😮😮 pic.twitter.com/q0O1jFGu3z
— ✨#PLAY😈PAIN ✨Alexa Bliss Fan Account (@Era_Of_Bliss) April 11, 2021
Bianca Belair’s dad after she won the title at Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/FM88CBDjcN
— FLYPOD. (@handsomeHDII) April 11, 2021
The WWE Universe knew how good this match was capable of being, but you’ve all been blown away. Put this in the history books that Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair are the first two black women to headline and main-event WrestleMania — and we TORE the house down while doing it! pic.twitter.com/AxGw3tqvJc
— High fashion, tailor made. ✧ NOT @SashaBanksWWE. (@BouncesTheCheck) April 11, 2021
This Is Awesome!!! Huge congrats to @BiancaBelairWWE I’m already ready for the rematch!! ✨ So proud of the history her and @SashaBanksWWE made tonight!!! Icons! https://t.co/zQrFNn3nAi
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) April 11, 2021
