WWE’s Money in the Bank Premium Live event has come and gone and it proved huge success as the company took a major show to England for the first time in over 30 years.

A two-night programme saw a sold-out O2 Arena in London welcome some of the biggest stars in the business in what was a successful trip for all involved.

One of the stars to feature was Bianca Belair, who, on Friday night’s SmackDown show, took out Charlotte Flair and Asuka as she chases the WWE women’s championship title.

After a record-breaking 419 day reign, Belair lost her title to Asuka at Night of Champions and is now in a pursuit to win the belt back as soon as she can.

Before Money in the Bank, Belair spoke to Alex McCarthy of Mail Online to discuss her journey in the company so far and her plans for the future. 

AM: Let’s talk about your recent stretch in WWE, tearing it down with Asuka. A lot of people were shocked that she was the one to dethrone you, with the character change. What’s it been like working with her?

BB: I got to break the record and become the longest reigning women’s champion of the modern era and the longest reigning Raw women’s champion. Asuka is amazing. I was excited to work with her at WrestleMania and when the feud continued, even though it was a different Asuka that’s I was facing. She was coming back for her revenge and she got it. You win some, you lose some, but I was winning for a very long time.

Now it’s given me the extra edge. Too much of anything is never good, I needed to get back to the grind and hustle of going after something again. I love the chase and right now I’m chasing and I’m looking forward to getting my title back. She’s got a brand new title and it’s shiny and cute so I want it.

AM: I remember you had more of an edge in NXT, a bad guy, that’s what people would say. You really found your groove as the person everyone can root for, kids look up to you, do you feel more comfortable that way?

BB: It’s funny because in NXT with the Bianca Belair there I found my groove then and I loved it. But then when I came to Raw and Smackdown I felt like I found another groove that was inspiring to others and I saw how it was touching others and it wasn’t just me impacting people inside the ring, I was impacting people outside the ring and that’s what stuck with me.

I loved it and I still love it. So right now I feel like I’m a bit in between. I’m still in the groove I found when I got to main roster but there’s a little bit of the NXT Bianca Belair coming back. I feel like I’ve been playing by the rules, but then I’m seeing other people that aren’t and it’s like, wait a minute, hold up, let’s figure some things out.

AM: Speaking of inspiring, your entrance at WrestleMania blew people away and then we learnt the significance of it too and there was barely a dry eye in the house. How was that to be able to do that on such a stage and make it so special for her too?

BB: That’s what it’s all about and why I love my position in WWE and what I can do. It’s not just about me, I want to use my platform to inspire and uplift others and give them that representation and I was able to do that at WrestleMania.

My favourite thing is to see the mini ESTs. I was at a meet and greet one day and there were so many, and it was like, they’re a part of this, I need to figure out a way to make them part of WrestleMania, so I found the dance group in California and I had a lot of help. Everyone hearing about her story, giving her that special day, it was just special and everyone felt it and I want to do things that make people feel.

AM: John Cena said he found it hard to turn because it meant so much to him doing those things like Make a Wish and influencing those children. Similar feelings?

BB: Very similar feelings. It’s a feeling that sticks with you outside the ring. We can’t be inside the ring every hour of the day. Those are the things that mean the most to me, the impact I have outside. 

I have the same feeling that he felt. I hear everybody like turn heel and I’m like, hmmm.

AM: Let’s talk about some of the feuds. You and Becky, you and Charlotte. There seems to have been that respect that’s really developed. They say battling alongside each other makes good friends. How’s that been for you getting to the main roster and having these major programmes with people that have been there a while and led the women for the last decade or so? Not only have you risen to superstardom yourself but you’re earned their respect and become friends with them.

BB: I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to work with amazing women. Especially when I came to main roster, one of the four horsewomen I first worked with was Bailey. I learned so much from here and still am. I think she is so amazing with what she does for herself and who she steps into the ring with. She contributes so much to this division and is so selfless. 

Becky Lynch. I’ve learned so much from her. When I came in I feel like I just wanted to be led, and I was comfortable with that so I could share these amazing stages. Hopefully I get to work with Charlotte Flair more in the future and I think the position they are in is amazing. 

I can’t wait until I get to that position where I have so much equity and have done so many things and have had so many title reigns where I can start giving back and doing for others what they’ve done for me. I feel like I’m working my way towards that position and developing these friendships with them. Becky and I, we didn’t start on the best of terms, going all the way back to SummerSlam, but respect builds and got develop friendships along the way.

AM: At SummerSlam there were so many fans mad about it. But the story that ended up getting crafted from it, everyone could argue you ended up richer for it. Was that a learning thing for you as well, telling the story the long way?

BB: I will say initially it was hard. Like, why is this happening, did I do something wrong? John Cena was there that night and he shared some words with me and helped me see the bigger picture. His words will always stick with me. 

I was thinking about 26 seconds SummerSlam the other day, and I got to main event WrestleMania. That did a lot for my career, but the 26 seconds did just as much and in the long run it really worked out. 

I’m so proud of the work Becky and I did. A full year storyline that we brought full circle and she advocated and worked for that. It really worked out for me.

AM: I have some quick fire… When was the last time – and who were by – you were star struck?

BB: It was at the Kids’ Choice Awards and it was Kelly Rowland! I feel like I have to tell that story. I grew up watching her and I passed her in this doorway and I went to talk to her and I was like, wait, she don’t know me. So I just kind of did this weird point. And she looked, but later I got to see her and I was like, hi really weird earlier but really big fan, and I got to introduce myself.

AM: Is there anything you hate about the gym?

BB: I do not like dead lifts, even though I can dead lift a lot. I have a bad back. And I’m not a fan of snatches, all that weight over my head, and I do not like cardio, stationary, same pace cardio. No.

AM: You had all these records in NXT?

BB: Dead lift was one of them!

AM: If someone breaks it will you go back?

BB: Nope. Records are meant to be broken so please break my record. I will break other records.

AM: Who is your best friend you’ve made in wrestling?

BB: My husband is my best friend, hands down, all day, every day, inside and outside of WWE.

AM: He should be! A joker in the dressing room?

BB: Bayley. She is funny and Shayna is very funny.

AM: Any other jobs you’ve had that aren’t wrestling?

BB: I used to work in high school at a rec centre, and then I used to sell direct tv in Walmart. I worked at the bank, I was bank teller, then I was a receptionist, then I sold flavours. That was my job before I got into WWE.