Tag: the bella twins

Paige returns, wins gold at WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is Paige’s house once again.

At WrestleMania 42 night one, Paige returned to WWE and worked her first match for the company in nearly a decade, teaming with Brie Bella to win the Women’s Tag Team titles. It was scheduled to be Nikki & Brie Bella teaming together in the match, but Nikki was unable to be cleared in time after suffering an ankle injury on SmackDown three weeks ago.

Nikki walked out with a crutch as The Bella Twins made their entrance tonight. Announcing that she would not be able to compete, Nikki said an “old friend” would be taking her place — bringing out Paige for her return.

That crutch ended up playing a big role in the fatal four-way match. Interfering during the finish, Nikki used the crutch as a weapon and struck Charlotte Flair with it. Paige then got her knees up when Alexa Bliss went for Twisted Bliss. She followed up with RamPaige on Bliss for the victory.

Nia Jax & Lash Legend were Women’s Tag Team Champions heading into tonight. The four-way bout featured Jax & Legend, Brie Bella & Paige, Charlotte & Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

On commentary, Michael Cole brought up that Paige won the Divas Championship on her first night on the main roster back in 2014 and had now won gold again her first night back.

Paige was once medically disqualified from WWE due to neck issues, last wrestling for the company in December 2017. She remained with WWE in a non-wrestling role until departing the promotion in 2022. She then joined AEW, returning to the ring there and holding the AEW Women’s World Championship one time.

In March 2025, Paige (Saraya) and AEW mutually parted ways. She took the past year off from pro wrestling but had been training for her return recently.

Nikki Bella status update for WWE WrestleMania 42

Posted on by Josh Nason

The status for Nikki Bella for next weekend’s WWE WrestleMania 42 is still up in the air, according to our Dave Meltzer.

Regarding whether Bella can compete in the four-way WWE Women’s Tag Team match, Meltzer stated that he was told earlier today that “it’s too close to call.”

The 42-year-old Bella was seen in a walking boot following a late-March SmackDown match, later saying she would be back in a week’s time. Several weeks later, that hasn’t been the case.

She and sister Brie are set to be in the four-way that also features Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.

The delay is also the reason the IYO SKY vs. Asuka match has yet to be announced as our Bryan Alvarez reported that if Bella can’t go, Asuka and Kairi Sane will take their place, leaving SKY without an obvious match at the moment.

WWE WrestleMania 42 night one lineup | This Saturday

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defends against Randy Orton (w/ Pat McAfee)
  • Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends against Liv Morgan
  • Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
  • Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee defends against Becky Lynch
  • Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax & Lash Legend defend against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, The Bella Twins, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
  • Unsanctioned match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu (ESPN2)
  • Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed vs. The Usos & LA Knight (ESPN2)

WWE WrestleMania 42 night two lineup | Next Sunday

  • World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defends against Roman Reigns
  • WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill defends against Rhea Ripley
  • Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • United States Champion Sami Zayn defends against Trick Williams
  • Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi (ESPN)
  • Ladder match: Intercontinental Champion Penta defends against Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh, and Rey Mysterio (ESPN)

The Bella Twins reveal WWE contract status, retirement timeline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Bella Twins are back in WWE for an extended period of time.

This Friday on SmackDown, Nikki & Brie Bella will challenge Nia Jax & Lash Legend for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles. They spoke about the match on a new edition of the Nikki & Brie Show and revealed that, when Brie returned at the 2026 Royal Rumble, they signed new two-year contracts with WWE. They are planning for this to be their last wrestling contract before retirement.

“For me, I don’t think you and I will ever get that last retirement moment that like John [Cena] got and AJ Styles got,” Nikki said. “Let’s be honest, the men get, right?

“I don’t think you and I will ever get that, but I would love to have that. Because I do know that the contract that we signed, we signed a two-year deal starting Royal Rumble. And for you and I, the talks we’ve had and what I know just where I’m at, that’s it. That will be the end for me and for us.”

Nikki added that she’d love to have a moment where she gives a final bow and leaves her gear in the ring. She doubts she’ll ever get that, but she still really wants to have an iconic final run that their fans can be proud of.

“I want to have some of my best matches. I want to have a lot of fun,” Nikki said. “But I want to have like an iconic moment where it’s like, I could look back and go, ‘Damn, that was a great two years.’ We did it. I don’t want to walk away with any what ifs… I want to look back at these past two years that we’re about to create and be like, ‘Damn, girl. We did it.'”

In this final run, The Bellas are balancing who they are now with the people they used to be. Nikki & Brie are already WWE Hall of Famers — and becoming Women’s Tag Team Champions is one of the final things on their bucket list. Being able to accomplish this now that they are both mothers would be especially meaningful.

“This is like the final thing,” Nikki said. “So when I’m like 60, 70, 80, hopefully 90s, sitting with Brie on a porch, wine tasting, wine making, like we could, ‘Girl, we did that.’ We did Evolution. We did this. Tag team champs. Like, that’s how my mind works, like that’s accomplishments. But dang, to do it as moms. Nothing is better.”

The Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina is hosting this Friday’s SmackDown episode. After the show, there will only be four weeks left until WrestleMania 42.

The Bella Twins return to TV on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Bella Twins are back, and are looking for the Tag Team titles.

Nikki and Brie made their return to WWE TV on Friday, coming out after Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance for their imminent Tag Team title match against the Irresistible Forces. The twins declared that they were next in line for the Women’s Tag Team titles and would be at ringside for the upcoming title match to scout.

The twins ended up playing into the finish of the match when Nikki and Brie were caught in the crosshairs of a Flair/Jax brawl. Bliss got the upper hand for her team and was about to hit twisted Bliss on Jax when Brie entered the ring and attacked Jax for the disqualification. The confusion allowed The Irresistible Forces to recover and wreak havoc, laying out both teams in the process.

Brie Bella made her WWE return at the Royal Rumble, taking part in the women’s Rumble match. But after a promo featuring the two on the following Raw, they had been absent from TV ever since.

Bryan Danielson credited with training The Bella Twins before WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After years of absence, Brie Bella made her return at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, shortly after which she credited her husband for training her.

Recently appearing on Notsam Wrestling Live! (h/t Fightful) Bella narrated how Danielson helped her get ready for the Royal Rumble.

“Obviously, my husband [Bryan Danielson] might be one of the greatest coaches in the world. And he’s a very hard coach,” Brie Bella said.

To which Nikki Bella also responded with, “I mean, you should see my text message from him. I’m showing (William) Regal, like, ‘So this is what Bryan wants me to practice today.’”

Bella’s last wrestling match was at the 2022 Royal Rumble, following which she made her comeback last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Hall of Famer returned after a span of almost four years, after repeatedly hearing no.

The twins reunited on January 31st, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and now plan on going after Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky’s tag team titles. Nikki Bella was recently involved in a Women’s Championship feud against Stephanie Vaquer.

While the sisters have now returned to WWE, Danielson currently works in AEW and had also taken on commentary duties with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone on Dynamite during Taz’s absence. Following his last in-ring bout at AEW WrestleDream 2024 against Jon Moxley, Danielson returned for a short bout against Max Caster last year during an episode of Collision in June 2025. Following this, he has completely stayed away from any in-ring matches.

Brie Bella back in WWE for the time being

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Brie Bella is back in the WWE.

Dave Meltzer reported in Sunday’s Daily Update that, at least for the moment, Bella is back in the WWE with her twin sister Nikki.

“Brie Bella’s return last night was not a one-night thing,” he wrote. “She’s going to be back for at least the time being.”

On social media, Bella seemed to imply this by saying The Bella Twins were back.

“I can’t even express the gratitude I’m feeling right now,” she wrote. “It’s been a journey to get here but I’m back and it feels good!!! Love you Bella Army for always standing with your girl and thank you Riyadh for the very warm welcome, your chants and love meant everything. BRIEMODE IS ACTIVATED. And the Bella Twins are back!!!! YES! YES! YES!”

Bella entered at number 29 on Saturday and lasted around seven minutes before eventually being tossed out by Lash Legend. It was her first pro wrestling match since competing in the 2022 Royal Rumble.

Nikki made her return to the ring last year, starting a feud with Liv Morgan before turning against Stephanie Vaquer and going heel. Her last appearance was losing to Vaquer and Raquel Rodriguez in a three-way match on an episode of Raw back in December.

Nikki Bella responds after WNBA star talks WWE ambitions

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki Bella says she’ll wrestle one-on-one with the WNBA’s Sophie Cunningham.

On a recent episode of her Show Me Something podcast, the Indiana Fever guard said she grew up watching WWE and called John Cena “the absolute best.” Cunningham also said WWE has contacted her in the past about a possible career in professional wrestling.

Following her comments, Cunningham was asked by Bryanna Sompayrac about what her wrestling name would be and who her dream match would be.

“I don’t know what my name would be. I know it would be something spicy and feisty,” Cunningham responded.

When asked about a potential dream match, Cunningham mentioned The Bella Twins.

“I think it would be fun to either partner with them or go against them, so that’s what I would choose.”

After Sompayrac commented that The Bellas are “the best,” Cunningham responded, “Well, I’m hopefully going to take away their shine someday.”

Nikki Bella then responded in the comments, writing:

“I’ll take her on one on one… 💋🙌🏼”

Cunningham has often been described as an “enforcer” for the Fever, frequently stepping in to protect the team’s star player, Caitlin Clark. WWE isn’t the only wrestling company to express interest in Cunningham either, as WOW – Women Of Wrestling also contacted her earlier this year about a potential role.

Nikki Bella: WWE return has been ‘quite lonely’ without twin sister Brie

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki Bella is having a great time in her WWE return, but it still feels incomplete without her twin sister Brie by her side.

Ahead of Survivor Series: WarGames, Nikki made an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up to promote her match against Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer. It’s a chance for the newly heel Nikki to win her first WWE gold in more than a decade. She hyped this as an intense matchup between women from two different eras who have different mentalities.

Nikki said she’s loved every moment of her return run, which has been an empowering experience for her. But Nikki admitted that it’s been lonely not having Brie Bella by her side.

“You know, it’s actually been quite lonely,” Nikki said about Brie not being there with her. “We both have had our different runs where we’ve been solo, but I think coming into this now as a mom and I feel like I have a very much different mindset. I wish she was there, I really do.

“I think, you know, as a pro athlete you know when you’re coming to the end of what you can give, whether that’s on the field or in the ring. And you start to think of moments that you want to make before it’s all over. And I’ve built not only this legacy with Brie, but this empire with her in and outside of the ring. And so, there’d be nothing more than I would love for her to join me. I think we all know the force the Bella Twins have together. It’s been quite a journey without her, but I hope I can finish it with her.”

The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together in the class of 2020. Brie Bella feels like she “definitely” has one more run left in her, but she thinks her husband Bryan Danielson’s association with AEW has been a roadblock toward WWE bringing her back.

Saturday’s PLE is being held in San Diego, where the Bellas are originally from. Get Up host Mike Greenberg asked Nikki if we could see Brie make a surprise appearance at the show.

“I’m not sure, but I always have her on speed dial,” Nikki responded. “So, you never know.”

Survivor Series has a start time of 7 p.m. Eastern on Saturday (November 29), airing live on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix elsewhere.

Brie Bella: There’s definitely a last run left in me, ‘wherever it may be’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

She doesn’t know how long it will be or which promotion it will be for, but Brie Garcia (Brie Bella) feels like she definitely has one more wrestling run left in her.

A new episode of the Nikki & Brie Show debuted on Thursday with WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins looking ahead to their 42nd birthday. On the podcast, the sisters each listed some of their birthday wishes and things they are hoping to accomplish in the future. Brie said that, despite how busy her life is, she thinks she has more wrestling ahead of her.

“I think there is definitely a last run in me. And I am like, I’m at the age and I’m strong. And I think it’s because I’m working out so hard and I’m feeling good,” Brie said. “But I’m like, there’s for sure a last run in me. But I’m like, you know, wherever it may take me, wherever it may be, I hope it’s with you [Nikki], wherever that is at, who knows? Whether it’s for one night or 200 nights. We’ll see.”

Nikki Bella is currently on a comeback run in WWE, but Brie has not been featured with her so far. Brie believes her husband Bryan Danielson being part of AEW has been a roadblock standing in the way of her return.

This Friday (November 21) is Nikki and Brie’s birthday. Nikki — newly heel in WWE — said one of her wishes is to win the Women’s World Championship from Stephanie Vaquer. They are facing off for the title at Survivor Series on November 29.

Report: Brie Bella in talks for WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki Bella might have her sister by her side when she competes at WWE Evolution next month.

TMZ Sports reported today that Brie Bella is in talks with WWE for a return ahead of the all-women’s Evolution PLE, which is being held in Atlanta on Sunday, July 13. The report says it’s unclear if Brie will be competing in the ring at the show. If she does wrestle, it would be her first match since appearing in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble. Her last match prior to that was in 2018.

“A source with direct knowledge tells us Nikki’s twin is in talks to unretire and help her sister kick some ass at the promotion’s all-women pay-per-view event, Evolution, next month,” TMZ wrote.

On Raw earlier this week, a feud between Nikki Bella and Liv Morgan began on the road to Evolution. Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are the current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, making them logical opponents if Brie does wrestle at the PLE. The Bellas have never competed for the Women’s Tag Team titles before.

TMZ furthered the storyline between Nikki and Morgan by claiming that Brie is “pissed” at Morgan for referencing Nikki’s divorce from Artem Chigvintsev. During their segment on Monday’s show, Morgan said she has everything Nikki doesn’t — respect, a championship, and a man. The angle led to Morgan laying out Nikki with Oblivion.

“We’re told Brie is pissed about Morgan referencing Nikki’s highly publicized split from Artem Chigvintsev — who was arrested for domestic violence in August 2024, resulting in the couple’s divorce a month later,” the report said.

The Bellas Twins are WWE Hall of Famers, having been inducted as part of the class of 2020. An appearance by Nikki has been confirmed for next Monday’s Raw in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Evolution is one of three WWE events happening in Atlanta on the weekend of July 12-13 with the city also set to host NXT Great American Bash and WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Nikki Bella: ‘WWE is home,’ comments on potential return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki Bella still considers WWE home — and she isn’t ruling out returning to the ring for the company in the future.

In 2023, Nikki and her sister Brie departed WWE and began to use the “Garcia Twins” as their name in their professional endeavors. But Nikki was back in the WWE fold for at least one night on Monday, attending Raw’s Netflix premiere in Los Angeles. She was shown in the crowd during the episode and identified as “Nikki Bella.”

Bella was interviewed on the red carpet last night, where she said WWE is like home and expressed her excitement for the promotion’s new partnership with Netflix.

“Well, WWE is home, and WWE is one of the coolest events, one of the coolest forms of entertainment truly in the world. And Netflix delivers worldwide, as we’ve all seen. So I think it’s just two powerhouses that come together,” Bella said. “They’re going to make magic happen, and I want to be here for the magic. I want to celebrate all of the talent that I’ve grown up with the past 20 years, which is so crazy to say. And I want to be here [at the premiere] to just root them on.”

Though she has not wrestled since 2022, Bella, 41, has kept the door open to compete again once her son gets older. She was asked on the red carpet about the Bella Twins potentially returning to the ring for WWE.

“Ohhh, will we ever see the Bella Twins back? Good question,” Bella responded. “You know, I just may be here looking at my competition soon. So — stay tuned.”

Near the end of last year, Bella finalized her divorce from former husband Artem Chigvintsev, who was arrested for alleged domestic violence in August 2024 but did not end up facing charges.

The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

Nikki Bella contacts divorce lawyers in wake of husband’s domestic violence arrest

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki Garcia, FKA as Nikki Bella, is reportedly taking steps to divorce Artem Chigvintsev.

TMZ reports that Garcia has contacted divorce lawyers in the wake of Chigvintsev’s arrest for domestic violence last week.

“Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Nikki has been making calls since Friday, and we’re told her intention is to file to end her marriage,” the outlet wrote.

The report continued to state that Chigvintsev is currently staying with a friend and not in the family home he shares with Garcia and the couple’s four-year-old son Matteo.

On Monday, Garcia appeared on Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” hot dog eating contest and Bodyslam’s Stephanie Hypes noted she was not wearing her wedding ring during the broadcast.

Chigvintsev was arrested Thursday morning after authorities responded to a 911 call at approximately 10 AM local time in Yountville, California. He was later booked for felony corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, although Garcia has not been confirmed as the victim. Chigvintsev’s bail was set at $25,000, which he has since posted.

According to audio files obtained by TMZ, Chigvintsev called 911 requesting medical assistance but would later call back to cancel. He noted during the call that his wife had thrown shoes at him.

Paramedics turned back after he canceled but police showed up at the address and “observed obvious injuries on the victim’s body” leading to Chigvintsev’s arrest.

Garcia’s team released a statement through US Weekly on Friday, saying, “This is a private matter, and Nikki asks for privacy for her and her family at this time.”

Nikki & Brie Garcia comment on Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis allegations

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Garcia Twins have commented on allegations regarding both Vince McMahon and their father-in-law John Laurinaitis.

Nikki & Brie posted a statement on X Monday writing that the sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations are something they do not condone, no matter who it is. Laurinaitis married their mother Kathy in 2016.

They wrote:

We are shocked and disheartened by recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week just as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.

McMahon and Laurinaitis were named in a lawsuit released last Thursday by Janel Grant, who accused both of sexual assault and sex trafficking.  Laurinaitis was fired by WWE in 2022 after his name also surfaced in hush money payments McMahon gave to multiple women, including Grant.

The Garcia Twins’ contract with WWE expired last year and as a result, are no longer allowed to use their former Bella Twins name.

Nikki Garcia says former Bella Twins ‘are not going to AEW’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki & Brie Garcia are not going to AEW. 

In the wake of yesterday’s news that the former Bella Twins have left WWE, Nikki Garcia revealed today that the sisters will not be signing with AEW. 

During an Instagram Live chat on Wednesday, Nikki addressed having been backstage at an AEW event recently. 

Nikki said: 

We are not going to AEW. I know, I’ve seen a lot of that because, I think, we were just there visiting Renee and Paige. 

She continued to explain that they were also backstage at the show so Nikki’s son could see her uncle, AEW’s Bryan Danielson. 

Nikki continued:

I was like, I haven’t had the opportunity to take Matteo backstage to a wrestling event and when he knew uncle Bryan was going to be there, Matteo loves his uncle Bryan, Brie and I were like, we have to go see Bryan. The kids had so much fun. 

A social media exchange with Britt Baker may have also led to speculation regarding the Garcia Twins and AEW. 

Nikki and Brie were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020, although the ceremony was delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both are former Divas Champions, with Nikki having held the title twice and Brie once. Nikki is currently serving as host of the show Barmageddon along with Blake Shelton and Carson Daly. 

Nikki & Brie Bella leaving WWE, starting new chapter as The Garcia Twins

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nikki and Brie Bella are departing WWE and starting a new chapter.

After speculation began when they changed the names of their social media accounts on Tuesday, People confirmed that Nikki and Brie are leaving WWE. They’ll be going by the names Nikki Garcia and Brie Garcia going forward. Together, they’ll be known as The Garcia Twins.

The Bellas’ SiriusXM podcast has changed its name to The Nikki & Brie Show. In a clip from the show, Nikki and Brie spoke about their WWE departure.

“When our contract came up with WWE — mutually we all knew, we just needed to head into this new chapter,” Nikki said.

Nikki and Brie also posted a social media teaser about their new chapter.

“This next chapter of our lives is about taking it to the next level,” the teaser said. “Owning who we are. Being unapologetically us. And fiercely walking through that open door.”

Garcia is part of Nikki and Brie’s real last name. The “Nikki Bella,” “Brie Bella,” and “Bella Twins” trademarks are owned by WWE.

Nikki and Brie were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

The Bellas were originally advertised for Raw’s 30th anniversary episode this January but didn’t end up appearing. They did an Instagram Live video on the night of the show where they called out WWE for its lack of women’s evolution representation on the anniversary special.

“Nikki Bella Says I Do,” a four-part E! series about Nikki’s wedding to Artem Chigvintsev, recently finished airing. WWE was involved with producing that series.