The clash between Bianca Belair and Alexa Bliss leading up to the Royal Rumble 2023 was one of the most intriguing storylines in WWE. Bianca, the reigning RAW Women’s Champion, had been enjoying a dominant run, known for her unmatched athleticism and unyielding spirit. On the other side, Alexa Bliss, a former multi-time champion, was on a dark and twisted path, caught between her old self and the sinister influence of Bray Wyatt’s return. Their rivalry started heating up in late 2022 when Bliss teamed up with Belair on RAW, but strange moments began to hint at Alexa’s mental struggle. Haunted by cryptic messages and Wyatt’s mysterious symbol, her behaviour grew erratic.
This tension boiled over during a tag match when Alexa suddenly attacked Bianca, sending a clear message that the old Bliss was gone, and a darker force was taking over. In the following weeks, Alexa’s descent into her unsettling persona became more evident. During a title match in early January 2023, Bliss ambushed Bianca with a brutal assault that left the champion bloodied and vulnerable. Despite losing that night by disqualification, Alexa proved that she was ready to do whatever it took to reclaim championship glory, even if it meant tapping into her twisted side. Bianca, determined to stay at the top, refused to back down.
She faced Alexa head-on in interviews and matches, brushing off the mind games and delivering intense performances in the ring. But the psychological warfare weighed heavily, with Wyatt’s eerie presence lurking behind the scenes, influencing Bliss’s actions at key moments. The showdown at the Royal Rumble 2023 was a blend of Bianca’s explosive athleticism and Alexa’s unhinged unpredictability. Despite Bliss’s efforts to manipulate and wear her down, Bianca’s raw power and focus prevailed. Belair retained her title after a thrilling and hard-fought match, but the encounter left fans with more questions. Alexa walked away defeated, yet visibly haunted, hinting that her connection to Wyatt’s dark universe was far from over. The rivalry may not have ended that night, but it showcased Bianca Belair’s resilience and Alexa Bliss’s unsettling transformation, making it one of the most memorable stories heading into WrestleMania season.
