The wrestling world has shown its support for Bianca Belair following racist comments shared on social media against the former WWE Women’s Champion.
Belair is one of the cover stars of WWE 2K24 and is featured on the ‘Deluxe Edition’ alongside Rhea Ripley. This week, WWE Games shared a photo of Belair, Ripley, and Cody Rhodes, the latter being the cover star of the standard edition of the game.
While the vast majority of comments were positive, two were hateful in nature. One said that while Rhodes and Ripley deserved to be there, Belair did not, which many took as a racially motivated. A second comment left nothing to interpretation, as the person said that Belair did not deserve a spot on the cover but “gotta have a black.”
Wrestlers Support Bianca Belair
These comments have received backlash from fans as well as those in the wrestling industry. In a series of tweets, Zelina Vega made it clear those racist fans should be ashamed of themselves.
The “fans” that took part in the blatant disrespect and hate towards her and other black men and women should be ashamed and embarrassed. It’s disgusting. But your hate will never EVER dim their shine. We love you B. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us.
(2/2)
— ZV (@ZelinaVegaWWE) March 7, 2024
TNA Wrestling’s AJ Francis stated that such comments are hardly new when it comes to black athletes.
I told yall over a year ago it was racist how people would always compare B-Fab to Bianca or Jade even though none of the 3 of them are even close to looking alike…
“Ratchet” or “ghetto” are words people loved using to describe actions by all of them. Coded language is…
— Dolla ? (@AJFrancis410) March 7, 2024
Rhea Ripley, Belair’s cover co-star expressed her support for the EST and said these ‘fans’ are mad that she’s better than them.
EST ain’t just a nickname… @BiancaBelairWWE is a history maker, a trailblazer, and one of the nicest humans that you would have the privilege to ever meet.
Y’all just mad that she’s better than you ????? #EST— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) March 7, 2024
SmackDown’s Michin also shared her support for the EST.
? Bianca Belair ?
— Michin ?? (@MiaYim) March 7, 2024
WWE NXT Superstar Jakara Jackson was sickened by the comments about Belair being on the WWE 2K24 cover.
Bianca Belair ?>>>
You Dusties make me sick.
— Jakara Jackson (@JakaraWWE) March 7, 2024
Kacy Catanzaro praised Belair as an inspiration to her who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her WWE career.
. @BiancaBelairWWE is a huge inspiration and has been good to me since the day I walked into the performance center. Thank you for all that you continue to do to shatter glass ceilings. A true legend in and out of the ring. ????
— Kacy Catanzaro (@Katana_WWE) March 7, 2024
WWE referee Daphanie LeShaunn spoke about her own experience facing racism as a black woman in wrestling.
I never expected the amount of hate and racism I face every single day for existing in this profession. But quitting would be giving them what they want. I can only imagine what Bianca goes through…The hate is strong but our accomplishments are even greater.???? https://t.co/RGkSY6F3EI
— Daphanie LaShaunn???? (@RefBaeDaphWWE) March 7, 2024
Raw Superstar Ivy Nile credited Belair as everything she strives to be in WWE and praised the efforts of all three WWE 2K24 cover stars.
. @BiancaBelairWWE is everything I strive to be in the WWE. All 3 are the hardest working and influential people in my life, and I’m so grateful to know ALL of them. Much love, B ? #TennesseeStrong https://t.co/6R7ljd55V4
— ivynile_wwe (@ivynile_wwe) March 7, 2024
NXT’s Joe Gacy didn’t make reference to the incident explicitly but is hoping to get a hard copy of the Deluxe Edition of the game.
I’m getting a digital copy, but is there anyway I can get a hard copy. The one with @BiancaBelairWWE on the cover. https://t.co/S44pHBR2tn
— Joe Gacy (@JoeGacy) March 7, 2024
Karmen Petrovic made clear that Belair deserved her spot on the cover.
a trailblazer. an icon. the EST! ?? @BiancaBelairWWE you deserve it ?? https://t.co/axm4mgxTFH
— karmen petrovic ? (@karmen_wwe) March 7, 2024
And Belair’s fellow cover star Cody Rhodes had three simple letters in support of the former Women’s Champion.
E S T https://t.co/gc0c7ZlZiW
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) March 7, 2024
The comments made by these fans are clearly abhorrent and do not reflect the wrestling world or its fanbase. The standard edition of WWE 2K24 hits shelves today.