Nikki Bella has cemented herself as a WWE legend and deserves a final run to remind the WWE Universe who she is and why her legacy matters.
Bella and her twin sister, Brie, paved the way for a women’s revolution in wrestling and have inspired many young girls to chase their dreams. The Bella Twins were the top women wrestlers in WWE and you couldn’t escape them, especially Nikki Bella.
“You Can Look But You Can’t Touch”
With her iconic backward red cap and unforgettable entrance, Nikki Bella became an icon during the “Total Divas” era. She was the mean girl. She was the woman you wanted to hate, but you were always rooting for her. With a title reign of 301 days, Bella became the longest reigning Divas champion, which proved to everyone watching that she was more than just a “diva”.
Total Divas Era
“Total Divas” premiered in 2013 and became a popular reality show. The show allowed audiences to see what it’s like to be a woman wrestler while balancing relationships and life changes. It also showed clips of the wrestlers’ lives backstage at the shows and at home. Bella became a star overnight. She is credited with turning many women into wrestling fans during that time, and her star power grew bigger and brighter.
Evolution, Hall of Fame, and sporadic appearances
On July 23, 2018, during an episode of “Raw”, Stephanie McMahon announced the first women’s PPV within the company, “Evolution”. During this PPV, fans would see Bella facing off against Ronda Rousey for the Raw Women’s Championship in the main event. Several months later, Bella would end her in-ring career due to a cyst found on her brain. About a year later, Bella and her twin sister, Brie Bella, would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Despite retiring, Bella would continue making sporadic appearances before leaving the WWE in 2023.
Netflix Raw Premiere and the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble
On January 6, 2025, WWE fans were surprised by Bella appearing at the Raw Netflix premiere on the red carpet and on-screen. Her appearance was met with praise and a lot of talk online about her possible future with the company. At the 2025 Royal Rumble, Bella was a surprise entrant at number 30, facing off with Roxanne Perez before Perez eliminated her.
Future WWE Plans
Bella has appeared on many podcasts, discussing her future plans with the company. During Wrestlemania weekend, she is due to make her appearance at WWE World.
Whether she has a part-time run or a one-time appearance, Bella deserves one last final run in the WWE. She could face Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte, and any number of stars to show that she wasn’t just a total diva, but a true pioneer in the business.
