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SummerSlam 2022 will host the next match in the series for a rivalry which has stretched for almost a full year between Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch. Going into this event, Belair is the reigning Raw Women’s Champion, holding parallels to last year where she entered as the SmackDown Champion. She is once again set to face Lynch, though this time it won’t be an impromptu surprise. There is a case to be made that WWE should make a very bold decision at SummerSlam, by having Belair squash Becky Lynch.
Becky Lynch Controversially Squashed Bianca Belair At SummerSlam 2021
Going into SummerSlam 2021, Belair was on top of the world as the reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion, and though some of her feuds had been so/so, she was still hugely popular. Although she was initially supposed to battle Sasha Banks, WWE were well aware that Banks was unable to compete, but that didn’t stop them from bringing out Carmella as a replacement opponent. The fans were furious at this, until Becky Lynch’s music hit, bringing her out for a surprise return after over a year away from the ring.
The audience thought they were going to see a huge clash between two top babyface stars. That was until Lynch blindsided Belair, hit one move, and defeated her in 27 seconds. At the time, this was a truly horrendous move that frustrated fans, especially since it led to an unpopular heel turn for Lynch. However, in the time since, Lynch has strongly developed her heel character and went on a great run as champion, with it all leading to Belair getting her retribution at WrestleMania 38 as she scored a huge win over Lynch.
Bianca Belair Needs More Than Just Redemption To Overcome Her Squash Match Loss
Likely with the lack of roster depth, WWE has paired up Belair and Lynch again, despite them feuding on and off for a year. Whilst they can be guaranteed to put on a great match, there is an argument to be made for them to play off last year’s result and produce yet another shock. There is a chance that Lynch wins this match, but that would undo all the great work WWE has done in establishing Belair as the new top star in the women’s division, so WWE should veer away from booking a title change.
At WrestleMania, WWE already had Belair beat Lynch clean in a classic back and forth bout, so SummerSlam should do something different. Belair got some redemption at WrestleMania, but the 27 second loss still hurts, and it is still up there with one of the more embarrassing defeats in the event’s history. Therefore, Belair should squash Lynch in the same manner in which she lost one year ago in order to truly rectify that loss.
A Squash Win For Bianca Belair Would Bring This Storyline Full Circle
Belair Vs Lynch is one of the marquee matches this year, and a squash match for the second year running could run the risk of angering some fans, but it would play into the long-term story and trajectory of this angle, and it would serve to benefit Belair as a babyface. Fans often pop for a shockingly quick upset, with them even doing so last year for Lynch’s controversial victory, but it is for a storyline which makes sense, so people will likely be more accepting.
It would be a bold decision, but it would complete this story in a very satisfying way, with it making Belair look strong as this time around she will come into the match prepared, and not only defeat Lynch, but embarrass her in the same fashion in which it happened to her a year prior. If WWE wants to return to this feud again in the future, that would be fine, however, a squash win for Belair would not only elevate her star power, but it would put a definitive end on this rivalry for now.