Bianca Belair has had a year of firsts.
In addition to winning her first Royal Rumble in January and her first WWE women’s title at WrestleMania 37 in April, the self-proclaimed “EST of WWE” is now readying for another milestone.
She’ll compete in the first women’s triple threat match in Saudi Arabia along with WWE SmackDown women’s champion Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks as part of Crown Jewel in Riyadh on Thursday.
Ahead of the historic bout, Belair admits she hasn’t travelled much internationally, only heading to the UK for the first time recently, but that she’s excited and grateful for the historic opportunity in the kingdom.
“It's an amazing feeling to know that I’m travelling to Saudi Arabia. It’s somewhere that I never thought I would be able to go and I'm able to do that now,” she tells The National.
“I'm excited to make history, I'm excited to be there and to showcase representation and I'm also excited to possibly be walking out as SmackDown champion and to be able to celebrate with all the fans in Saudi Arabia.”
In keeping with Saudi Arabia's culture and traditions, Belair will need to tweak her outfit, which she says is understandable. While she doesn’t reveal exactly what she’ll be wrestling in, she offers a little hint as to what fans can expect.
“I already wear long pants as it is, though we'll definitely be having long sleeves and just making sure that we're within the bounds of everything, but I'm definitely going to still show up and look like the EST that I am,” she says. “We'll definitely customise our gear, but I'm excited for it. It's not something that’s an inconvenience, plus I get a new look.”
In anticipation of Crown Jewel, she also got help from other fellow female wrestlers who have been to the kingdom in the past – including Natalya, who competed in the first female match in Saudi Arabia with Lacey Evans at Crown Jewel in 2019.
“Natty always gives you advice in the locker room. Mostly that it’s an amazing opportunity, soak every moment in, know how important this is,” says Belair. “It's not just that we’re going to have this match, it’s about representation and making real change, not only inside the ring but outside of the ring too.”
Belair says that while there is pressure in being part of such a monumental occasion, she’s also used to it. She’s opened up about how she handles being a newer competitor in the WWE, signing with the company in 2016, as opposed to Banks and Lynch who grew through the ranks together after they signed in 2012 and 2013.
“I’m the newbie coming in, they’ve called me ‘the rookie’ ever since I stepped foot on the scene. And I'm trying to push my way through ... and make room for me. So, I always feel like I have to prove myself,” she says.
However, if Belair's main event match with Banks at WrestleMania 37 was anything to go by, she doesn’t have much to worry about. The bout was a massive hit with fans, with many calling it the match of the night, and even won her and Banks an ESPY award for Best WWE Moment of 2021. It’s one that's special to Belair.
“It wasn’t just about wrestling or the WWE, it was so much bigger than that. Being able to represent and make history as the first two black females in the main event at Wrestlemania and walking out as SmackDown women’s champion – you know, that moment has lived on past that night.”
Looking to add another highlight to a wrestling career that’s already shined bright this year, Belair seeks to continue that trend of putting on great matches while finding herself in the spotlight.
“My whole journey in 2021 has been opportunities presenting themselves to me by the occasion. So I believe that’s kind of my reputation,” she says.
“I want to always have the reputation of showing up and being that common denominator any time you have a big moment that's being talked about. My name is in that conversation; I'm the common denominator.”
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
CREW
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Napoleon
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
