Women’s Tag Team title match part of next WWE Raw lineup

A Women’s Tag Team title match is part of the next WWE Raw lineup.

Greensborough, North Carolina next week will see a Women’s Tag Team title match where champions Paige and Brie Bella will take on Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez of the Judgement Day. Meanwhile, the Oba Femi Open Challenge will continue as long as there is someone, anyone, is willing to take on the man that defeated Brock Lesnar in quick fashion at WrestleMania 42.

Paige & Bella were confronted on Monday by their future challengers. Perez said she loved watching Paige and Bella back when they were young and relevant, and asked Bella if she remembered meeting her when she was a kid. Perez said that Bella told her that she could carry on the Bella legacy, but accused Bella of setting the bar too low.

After asking the duo to hand over the titles before another one of Paige’s scandals breaks, the champions attacked their challengers but Liv Morgan arrived to stack the odds against them.

Oba Femi came out on Raw for his open challenge, only for Adam Pearce to arrive and announce the challenge had been cancelled because no one wanted to face Femi. The irate ruler then headed backstage to find competition himself, running into Berto and Angel who earlier in the night were looking for an opportunity from Pearce. Femi dragged both to the ring and easily destroyed the two, picking up the win in an impromtu 2-on-1 handicap match.

WWE Raw (May 18)

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige defend against Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez
  • Oba Femi Open Challenge continues

WWE Raw live results: Jacob Fatu, Roman Reigns Acknowledgement Ceremony

Date: May 11, 2026
Location: Food City Center in Knoxville, TN 

The Big Takeaway —

For the twelfth straight week, Raw did not have a main event match, but rather, ended with a non-wrestling segment. 

It was not a particularly noteworthy show, either. It ended with Jacob Fatu standing tall over a fallen Roman Reigns for the third straight week. It wasn’t enough of a beat-down to keep Reigns out of action for any length of time, as it was fairly similar to the angles we’ve seen already. Fatu also laid out the Usos. 

Elsewhere on the show, Iyo Sky said good-bye to Asuka, who appears to be gone, at least for a while. 

**********

Show Recap — 

After a Backlash recap video, wrestlers were shown arriving, and the announcers ran down tonight’s card. 

Adam Pearce approached Roman Reigns as he arrived at the arena in Knoxville. Pearce wasn’t sure Jacob Fatu deserved to even be here tonight after what he did at Backlash. Reigns wanted to know where his title (belt) was and why it wasn’t in his hand. A random stagehand ran up and handed Reigns his belt. 

Pearce reiterated that he didn’t think Fatu deserved to be here tonight, or even at all. Reigns said Pearce couldn’t fire Fatu, at least not tonight. Reigns was the one who brought him in, and he would be the one to take him out. 

******* 

The Vision segment 

Paul Heyman entered with Bron Breakker, Logan Paul and Austin Theory. Heyman talked about the devastation Breakker handed out at Backlash. Heyman said Seth Rollins claimed Breakker wasn’t ready, but it was Rollins who wasn’t. Rollins would never get a victory over any of them. Heyman expunged Rollins from the record of ever being a part of the Vision and said they would never mention his name again. 

They moved on to the Street Profits. Theory said the Street Profits needed the tag titles because they didn’t have Bianca Belair to pay the bills. 

Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins interrupted. Ford said Theory was right that Belair was busy with the baby, so somebody had to come to Raw to beat the Vision’s asses. The Street Profits wanted the titles. (Dawkins did not say anything, and Ford has done most, if not all, of the talking since they returned.) 

Paul called the Street Profits a legendary team, but they were old news, and the only notable thing Ford has done lately was organize a baby shower. Paul asked if Ford’s balls were in his red solo cup. 

Paul was tired of the talk, but was interrupted by Joe Hendry, who randomly appeared at ringside and sang his “Fire Logan Paul” song until they went to break. The opening match began during the break. 

Six-man tag team match: Bron Breakker & Tag Team Champions Logan Paul & Austin Theory vs. The Street Profits & Joe Hendry

Hendry made a hot tag and hit Paul with clotheslines and a fallaway slam before doing his little pose. Theory, not the legal man, attacked Hendry in front of the referee to give his team the advantage again. (Ford and Dawkins were out of the ring while this happened.) 

There was a boring heat segment during commercials until Hendry made a hot tag right in time for them to return from break. Ford and Dawkins knocked Breakker out of the ring before Ford wiped him out with a flip dive. Theory avoided a splash, but Ford gave him a powerslam instead for two. 

Dawkins tagged in, and the Profits set up for a double-team move, but Paul knocked Ford off the top rope. Hendry charged after Paul outside the ring, but Paul sent him into the steel steps. (That was it for Hendry in this match and post-match.) 

Breakker set up for a running spear around the ring, but Seth Rollins appeared and clotheslined Breakker. The referee somehow did not see this. Theory did see it, and it distracted him long enough for Dawkins to apply a schoolboy for the pinfall win. 

— Theory attacked Dawkins after the match, but Rollins dumped Theory out of the ring. 

Rollins helped Dawkins to his feet. However, Rollins dodged as Breakker went for a spear, and Dawkins got speared instead. Rollins superkicked Breakker out of the ring. Ford saw Dawkins down on the mat and got into a shoving match with Rollins. 

Match result: Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford & Joe Hendry defeated Austin Theory, Logan Paul & Bron Breakker (12:20) 

********

Backstage, Pearce met with the Original El Grande Americano, Bruto Credo and Julio Credo. Pearce was trying to clarify their new identities, and the Creeds pretended not to speak English even though it’s already been established that these are the Creed Brothers. 

Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio interrupted. Gable Americano didn’t appreciate being interrupted. Morgan tried to dismiss him, but Americano said this was serious lucha business. Dom said he wasn’t even a real luchador, and Americano was offended. 

Pearce decided to make Dom defend his AAA Mega Championship against Americano tonight. 

As Pearce turned to leave, Angel and Berto approached him to ask for an opportunity. Pearce was more than happy to listen. 

********

Penta and Ethan Page segment 

Penta entered. He called himself a fighting champion, and if Ethan Page wanted a title match, he should say it to his face. Page entered. 

Page mocked Penta for hiding behind face paint and a mask. Page did not hide. He was all ego, Ethan Page, and he hailed from the greatest country on Earth, Canada. He pinned Penta last week, so that should make him the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship, but Penta was probably afraid to lose to him again. 

Penta said he was not afraid and challenged Page to a match right now. Page gave Penta credit for being willing to defend the title, but Page wasn’t ready right now. 

Page said Penta didn’t understand what his title meant. The IC title was the token of excellence in WWE. Every mega star had to hold that title to prove themselves, and Page was the next mega star. The title deserved the spotlight, so Page challenged him to a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event instead. 

Penta urged Page to work hard if he wanted the title, because he was ready for war and would be ready. 

Rusev interrupted. Rusev said Page amused him. They both beat Penta last week, and it was Rusev who bounced Penta’s head off the announce desk. Page interrupted, but Rusev intimidated him, so Page let him continue. Rusev wanted a title match. 

Page claimed he talked to Pearce earlier and tried to get Rusev a title match first, but Je’Von Evans barged in and questioned why Rusev would get a title match if he couldn’t even beat him. 

Evans immediately interrupted (so he must’ve been waiting around Gorilla in case someone said his name). Evans said Page’s ugly-ass was lying because none of that happened. Evans didn’t talk to Page or Pearce, and didn’t say Rusev couldn’t beat him, even if that last part was true. 

Page shoved Evans into Rusev, which led to a brawl, and the babyfaces stood tall. During a break, Pearce made a match between Evans and Rusev (our second impromptu match so far). 

The crowd didn’t seem to care too much about any of this. 

Je’Von Evans vs. Rusev

Before the match started, Evans flew into the ring and clobbered Rusev with a running knee. The referee separated them to start the match, and Evans hit another knee strike. Rusev got the heat later by shoving Evans into the ring steps. 

Evans came back with a Whisper in the Wind, a hurricanrana, and a dropkick, but Rusev blocked his suicide dive attempt and gave him a fallaway slam onto the announce table. Another boring heat segment led to Evans making his comeback after a break, hitting a springboard clothesline for two. 

Rusev cut him off and hit a Ura-nage and Machka Kick for two. Rusev was frustrated that Evans kicked out, saying, “He’s a freaking child!” 

Evans came back with kicks, a leaping dive, and an OG Cutter for the clean pinfall win. 

Match result: Je’Von Evans defeated Rusev (12:11) 

An ok match, but a nice win for Evans. 

********

Two members of the Tennessee Volunteers football team were at ringside. 

There was a video package for the AAA Mega Championship and the Dom/Americano match tonight. 

Asuka and IYO SKY segment 

Asuka approached Iyo Sky backstage. Asuka gave her a big hug. She said he was looking for someone to take over her position, and finally, Sky was that person. She was glad it was Sky, and she was proud of her. 

Sky said they would always be family, even if they fought. Sky said, “Goodbye, Asuka-san,” and they hugged. Asuka said a few words in Japanese before kissing Sky’s forehead. Asuka left with her luggage. 

********

Paige and Brie Bella answer Judgment Day 

Brie Bella and Paige entered with their tag team title belts. They were ready for a fight, but they wondered where Judgment Day was after they made their challenge last week. 

Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez entered. Perez said she loved watching Paige and Bella on TV back when they were young and still relevant. Perez asked Brie if she remembered meeting her. Perez said Brie told her that she could carry on the Bella legacy, but she set the bar too low. 

Brie said it was Morgan who set the bar low. Brie wanted Perez to make her own legacy, not be a footnote for “the Judgment’s Day.” Brie said, “There’s someone more disappointed in you than me: your mom!” 

Rodriguez held back Perez from going after her. Rodriguez turned her attention to Paige—the girl who’s been given a million chances only to fumble each one. Rodriguez said we were all waiting for Paige’s next big scandal to hit, but they could save everyone the time by handing over the title belts right now. 

Paige and Brie attacked Judgment Day, but Morgan jumped in from behind to even the odds. Judgment Day laid out the champs. 

(This wasn’t good. This particular crowd does not seem interested in these talking segments tonight.) 

********

Jimmy Uso told Reigns that Jey was outside waiting for Fatu to talk him out of going to the ring tonight. Reigns wasn’t sure why he would do that. Jimmy thought Reigns should leave Fatu alone. 

Reigns said they made an agreement, and Fatu put his name on the contract. They were men of their word, and they were on top of the business. If Fatu couldn’t respect his own family, and there wasn’t respect from within, there wouldn’t be respect from those on the outside. Fatu had to acknowledge him. 

Jimmy still didn’t trust Fatu. Reigns said if Fatu didn’t acknowledge him, Fatu’s ass was out of here. Jimmy said he’d find Jey. 

******* 

There was a Rhea Ripley video package where she put over the importance of her time in NXT (including plenty of clips of Triple H showing her the way). 

Michael Cole said Asuka’s future was up in the air, and only time would tell.  

IYO SKY vs. Sol Ruca

They wrestled back and forth for the first few minutes until Ruca hit a springboard corkscrew dive to the outside. Sky came back with a butterfly backbreaker during a break for two. 

After the break, Sky hit an avalanche Spanish Fly for two. Ruca ducked a roundhouse kick and hit a spinning sit-out powerbomb for two. Sky came back with a missile dropkick. Sky missed a running corner meteora, so Ruca hit one of her own, but Sky came back and hit a double foot stomp for two. 

Sky went to the top, but Ruca shoved her off. Sky wrenched Ruca’s knee in the ropes, but Ruca booted her moments later. Ruca went to the top and hit a cartwheel DDT for a nearfall. That drew a modest “This is awesome” chant. Sky fought back and hit consecutive meteoras. 

Sky went for a moonsault, but Ruca got her legs up to block it. Ruca went for the Sol Snatcher, but Sky saw it coming and caught her in a crucifix cover for the pinfall win. 

Match result: IYO SKY defeated Sol Ruca (12:25)

This was a pretty good match, and a different pace than most matches on Raw. It should be fun to see what sort of match they have in a year or two. 

Sol Ruca’s finisher is not having a good run, however. She hit Morgan with the move in her debut and failed to win, failed to hit the move smoothly on Becky Lynch last week, and, within the context of this match, failed to hit the move at all and lost. She’s now winless in two Raw matches.

********

Jimmy approached Jey outside the arena. Jimmy didn’t feel good about this and thought Reigns was delusional at times. Jimmy and Jey both knew Fatu wasn’t going to acknowledge him. Jimmy said their family was stressful. Jey didn’t like hearing that and reminded him that their family was the reason they were there at all. Jimmy understood. He left to return to Reigns and wished Jey luck with Fatu. They shook hands. 

********

The Street Profits will get a tag title match against the Vision at SNME. 

Dawkins and Ford were about to be interviewed, but they were interrupted by Rollins. He said if they were serious about getting the titles off the Vision, they should talk. Ford was frustrated because he didn’t want Rollins involved. 

Dawkins wanted to hear him out, but Ford wasn’t interested. Rollins admitted he was wrong when he said they should stay out of each other’s way. Ford didn’t trust Rollins and said they didn’t need him to win the titles. Ford and Dawkins left. 

********

Backstage, Sky told Ruca that she was the future, and they would fight again one day. Ruca thanked her. 

Becky Lynch showed up, laughed at Ruca for losing to Iyo Jannetty, and said the lights must be too bright for her. 

********

Oba Femi entered and called out his next challenger, but Pearce came out to say that nobody backstage wanted to answer, so the open challenge was cancelled. The fans booed. 

Femi was pissed, so he marched backstage while calling everyone a coward. Angel and Berto were near Gorilla position in their street clothes, so Femi attacked them and dragged them to the ring. Femi demanded the referee ring the bell, so he did. 

2-on-1 handicap match: Oba Femi vs. Angel & Berto 

Femi hit multiple running corner uppercuts, tossed both guys around (tossing Angel right over the head of a hunched-over Berto) and gave Berto a Fall from Grace powerbomb for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Oba Femi defeated Berto & Angel (0:51) 

*******

JD McDonagh and Dom walked through the back as Dom made his way to the ring, but McDonagh was suddenly blinded by Finn Bálor. Bálor repeatedly shoved McDonagh into some equipment boxes. Dom was stunned. Bálor told Dom, “Looks like you’re gonna have to go out there alone, mate.” Dom said he had gold to defend, something Bálor knew nothing about. 

AAA Mega Championship match: Dominik Myserio (c) vs. Original El Grande Americano

This was the first time this title has been defended on Raw. 

There was a fun spot early in the match, where Dom monkey-flipped Gable Americano high in the air off the apron and into the top of the ring post. Dom was in control during the break, but Gable came back after the break with a superplex, Angle slam, and moonsault for a nearfall. Dom responded with a Michinoku Driver for two. Gable suplexed Dom into the corner before hitting a Dragon suplex for two. 

Rayo and Bravo Americano ran out to distract the referee and Gable. El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) hit Gable with a cheapshot, and Dom followed with a tornado DDT for a nearfall. Bruto and Julio Credo ran out to chase away Bravo and Rayo. 

Gable put Dom in an ankle lock, but Kaiser Americano leaped on the apron right in front of the referee (after he was already distracted earlier). Gable went after him and tried to rip off his mask, but that distraction allowed Dom to hit a 619 and a frog splash for the pinfall win. 

Match result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Original El Grande Americano to retain the AAA Mega Championship (9:04)

Gable looked great here, but this Americano feud needed to end weeks ago, and Gable needs to get out of this mask. 

********

Raw next week in Greensboro: 

  • Oba Femi open challenge 
  • Paige & Brie Bella (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez for the tag team titles 

Not sure how they can advertise an open challenge if nobody even answered it this week. 

*******

Jackie Redmond interviewed Paul and Theory backstage. Paul was still offended by Hendry’s song. Redmond asked if he meant the ‘Fire Logan Paul’ song. Paul told her to stop, “unless you want to get fired, too.” 

Paul said if he had to hear the song again, he would cut off his ears like Vincent Van Gogh. Theory told Paul to relax and told him they should go get dinner. 

Redmond tried asking Theory a question. He ignored the question and asked if she wanted a ride in their car. She said no. They left. (Maxxine Dupri was already in the back seat.) 

********

Acknowledgement Ceremony 

Roman Reigns entered with Jimmy Uso. Reigns told Knoxville to acknowledge him. They did. 

The camera cut to Fatu arriving at the arena, right on time. Jey tried pleading with him to stop as Fatu marched through the back. Jey warned him that he would only be creating problems for himself and his family. Fatu got to Gorilla, so Jey put his hands on him to stop and told him to be smart. Fatu headbutted Jey and laid him out. 

Fatu looked into the camera and told Reigns that if he wanted an acknowledgement, Reigns would have to beat it out of him. Fatu entered through the curtain and was met by Jimmy, but Fatu attacked him and laid him out, too. 

Fatu turned his attention to Reigns. Fatu entered the ring, and Reigns went right after him. Fatu fought him off and clotheslined him out of the ring. Fatu tried a dive, but Reigns hit a Superman punch. 

Reigns attacked Fatu repeatedly with a steel chair while telling Fatu to acknowledge him. Reigns went for a spear, but Fatu hit a superkick and applied the Tongan Death Grip (which did get a reaction from the crowd). Reigns fell out of the ring, so Fatu hit a suicide dive. 

Fatu tossed Reigns into the post and steel steps before clearing the announce table. Reigns tried to fight back, but Fatu cut him off and powerbombed him through the announce table. 

Fatu put Reigns in the Death Grip as officials swarmed him. Fatu let go and posed with the world title belt. 

They did the thing where they made it seem like the show was over as Fatu made his way up the ramp, but he instead sprinted back down to ringside. Jey and Jimmy were checking on Reigns, so Fatu hit a wild running hip attack, driving all three men through the barricade.

AJ Lee, Paige and The Bella Twins listed as free agents on WWE roster 

AJ Lee, Paige and The Bella Twins have officially been moved to the free agents on the WWE website.

They join Danhausen, Oba Femi and Omos in the free agents section on the WWE roster

Lee returned to WWE in September 2025 after nearly a decade away. She feuded with Becky Lynch and won the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber this year. The title reign was short-lived when Lynch won back the title at WrestleMania. Following which, Lee cited she was taking time away from WWE but would be back soon. 

Nikki Bella made her comeback last year, while Brie officially signed a new deal with the company this year. Nikki’s foot injury omitted her from the fatal four way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania, which led to Paige stepping up as her replacement. 

It also marked Paige’s first WWE match since 2017 after the neck injury that forced her into early retirement. At AEW Full Gear 2023, she competed in the ring for the first time after being medically cleared and stepped back in the ring as a full-time competitor.

Nikki Bella injury update: Former champion reveals when she hopes to return 

Nikki Bella shared an update on when she hopes to make a full-time comeback as an in-ring competitor. 

Nikki was the only one on the podcast for the latest episode of The Nikki and Brie Show, as Brie was traveling for SmackDown. She addressed her injury status, setting the timeline for a comeback in June and she is hopeful to participate in Night of Champions on June 27. 

“Hopefully I will get to see you all in June… they just announced Night of Champions is going to be happening in June, so fingers crossed that still goes (forward). But obviously, I’d love to see you all there!”

During the podcast, Nikki responded to a fan about which championship The Bellas would like to pursue apart from the WWE Tag Team Titles. She stated unfinished business with Liv Morgan and plans to target the Women’s World Championship. Nikki also expressed interest in becoming a General Manager for Raw in the long run. 

“I always love to think and dream big. So for me, it would for sure be the Women’s World Championship. And all these, all this time I have right now to lay on my back and ice and elevate my ankle and be in therapy. You know me, I’m always just the wheels start turning and knowing that Liv just won it and there’s a lot of unfinished business there. And then I was like, ‘oh, wait Liv has Judgement Day and I technically have Paige and Brie. We can call Team Bella. And I’m like, wait, this sounds all amazing and perfect.’ So I would go after that. I would go after Liv’s championship.” 

“I would love one day before I,call it, goodbye for good, I would love to be a Women’s World Champion. Also, what I would love to be and what I love about this one is I can do this not being in the ring, but there was a lot of talk about it today on X about when should they change up the General Managers. And I would love to be General Manager at Raw at one point, so Liv’s championship, Women’s World Championship. And then after in ring stuff, I would love at some point to be a General Manager for Raw.”

On the March 27 edition of SmackDown, Nikki fractured and sprained her left ankle that forced her to be out of in-ring action and miss WrestleMania 42. However, Paige returned and took her spot alongside Brie to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles. 

Nikki Bella gives timeline for potential in-ring return

After missing out on competing at Saturday’s first night of WWE WrestleMania 42, Nikki Bella has given a timeline for her hopeful return to the ring.

Responding to a tweet asking for when she hopes to return, Bella replied “6-8 weeks hopefully.”

Bella revealed on Instagram Saturday that she “fractured, tore and sprained my ankle. It’s been a painful two weeks,” noting she will finally fill fans in soon on what’s been going on, assumed to be on her and sister Brie’s podcast. She later confirmed she had surgery for the injury.

The 42-year-old Bella was seen in a walking boot following a late-March SmackDown match, initially saying she would be back in a week’s time which was not the case.

She was replaced by the returning Paige in the four-way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles which Brie Bella and Page won. Dave Meltzer reported Sunday that The Bellas were slated to win the titles.

Paige returns, wins gold at WWE WrestleMania 42

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.

The Bella Twins reveal WWE contract status, retirement timeline

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.

Brie Bella thinks ‘kayfabe is dead,’ cites WWE: Unreal as an example

In a recent conversation with Logan Paul, WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella opened up on her beliefs about kayfabe being dead.

Recently appearing with her twin sister Nikki Bella on the ImPaulsive podcast, the sisters were asked their opinion about kayfabe being dead in wrestling to which Brie cited WWE: Unreal on Netflix as an example.

“I do (think kayfabe is dead). You watch Unreal. We see how like matches are getting put together, and you see, like, all the way into the business,” Bella said.

“You are not a fan of that?” Paul questioned back, to which the mother of two replied, “No. I mean, I don’t care.”

She went on to talk further about Unreal.

“There’s an audience who loves it, and then there’s an audience who hates it. I mean, at the end of the day, we’re never going to please everyone, right? There’s always going to be haters and people talking s**t,” she said, going on to say she thinks she likes the show.

“I get interested to see like what’s said in those rooms and how it goes down, but…I feel like that means kayfabe’s dead,” Brie concluded.

Nikki Bella said, “…For me, it’s cool to see how it all works. Yeah, we have to evolutionize.”

WWE: Unreal’s second season was released in January and while veterans like Seth Rollins explained their “difficult relationship” with the show, stars like Chelsea Green also defended the show. Both were featured during the second season.

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

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 ‘kept hearing no’ about her WWE returns, credits Nick Khan for comeback

At WWE Royal Rumble 2026, Brie Bella made her much-awaited in-ring return, shortly after which she revealed the story behind her comeback and CEO Nick Khan’s role in it.

Recently appearing on Notsam Wrestling Live! (h/t Fightful) Bella opened up in detail about her return story while also addressing Khan’s contribution to it. Bella revealed that she kept hearing “no” about her chance to come back until Khan reached out to her regarding it.

I’ve been wanting to come back. I would joke about it a lot, but yeah, I kept hearing no, and so when it came Thanksgiving time, I was like, ‘Alright, I’m not going back,’ and so, I kind of just started to look at 2026 differently,” she claimed. “I had a couple other opportunities that were put on the table, so I started to engage in those, and then Nick Khan all of a sudden called me, and I wasn’t expecting it, and just really wanted me back. I was very shocked, and I was like, ‘Alright….’ And I’m grateful to Nick for bringing me back because I definitely thought the door was closed, and I’m happy that it reopened.

Nikki Bella also joined in and added, “I remember when I got my call from Nick. It’s so unexpected, and then you’re like, whoa, that’s life-changing.”

The twins have now announced their intentions of going after Rhea Ripley and IYO Sky’s Women’s Tag Team titles. However, while Bella returned at the 2026 Royal Rumble, interestingly, her last match before that was at the 2022 Royal Rumble. The sisters were also inducted into the 2020 WWE Hall of Fame.

Brie Bella: This is the ‘perfect time’ for Bella Twins WWE return

Brie Bella feels like this was the perfect moment for The Bella Twins to link back up in WWE.

At the Royal Rumble last weekend, Brie returned to the ring for the first time in four years. Her twin sister Nikki had already been back with the company for a solo run — but now she’ll have Brie by her side as they join the women’s tag team division.

“I just feel like this is the perfect time for The Bella Twins,” Brie said while appearing on Good Morning America on Tuesday. “The women’s division is on fire, it’s the best I’ve ever seen it. And I’m just like, I can’t sit at home anymore and be watching like a fan. I’m like, I gotta get in.”

The Bellas appeared on Raw last night and declared their intention to challenge for the Women’s Tag Team titles. During the Good Morning America appearance, they sent a message to Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY.

“[Rhea Ripley] & IYO SKY should watch their back, just putting that warning out since they’re our current tag team champions,” Nikki Bella said. “You know, Brie and I, we’re the OG tag team. We never had that opportunity to go for the tag titles, and we want them.”

Brie Bella said she’s still on cloud nine after the Rumble return. She did not know if fans would remember her, so the love she’s received has been overwhelming.

The Bellas are already WWE Hall of Famers but have never held the Women’s Tag Team titles before. They told Good Morning America that winning the belts is a goal they have before retirement, though they indicated that their retirement might not happen until “years down the road.”

Brie Bella back in WWE for the time being

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.

Brie Bella, Tiffany Stratton among surprises in women’s WWE Royal Rumble match

Brie Bella was among the notable names in this year’s women’s Royal Rumble end.

Bella entered at number 29, making her first appearance in a WWE ring since 2022 when she competed in that year’s Royal Rumble. She reunited with her sister Nikki Bella, who has been on television for most of the last year, but both ended up being eliminated by Lash Legend.

Another notable return was Tiffany Stratton, who had been off television since losing the WWE Women’s Championship to Jade Cargill last fall. She entered at number 30 and made it to the final two.

NXT stars in this year’s match included Lola Vice, Sol Ruca, Kelani Jordan, and NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne. A sequence toward the end of the match had Jayne eliminate Jordan. Ruca immediately followed with a sol snatcher on Jayne and eliminated her. 

The final three participants in the match were Ruca, Stratton, and Liv Morgan. Stratton eliminated Ruca as all three were on the apron, but Morgan used the opening to hit oblivion on Stratton, eliminating her to win the Rumble match.

Natalya’s alter ego, Nattie, also had her in-ring debut on Saturday. Coming out to a new theme, she went after Maxxine Dupri but also confronted Becky Lynch, who she ended up eliminating in a surprise. She was eventually eliminated by Morgan.

The Bella Twins announced for MrBeast charity competition

Nikki and Brie Bella have an upcoming chance to win one million dollars for charity.

On Saturday, YouTube star MrBeast announced a special challenge where 30 celebrities will compete for a chance to win $1 million for charity. He posted a photo of the group, which includes The Bella Twins.

Mr. Beast wrote:

“To celebrate Beast Games 2 dropping next Wednesday me and Kevin Hart gathered 30 celebrities to compete for $1,000,000 for charity! This YouTube video will drop the same day as Beast Games 2. I CANT WAIT!”

The first three episodes of Beast Games 2 will be released on Prime Video on January 7, with weekly releases scheduled after. The show will include 200 contestants vying for five million dollars in prize money by competing in challenges.

Nikki Bella is coming off two straight losses in Women’s World Championship matches. She lost to Stephanie Vaquer at Survivor Series and then dropped a triple threat match along with Raquel Rodriguez to Vaquer on the December 29 episode of Raw.

Update on potential Brie Bella WWE return

A return to the ring is possible for Brie Bella, but it sounds like it would need to be with her sister Nikki by her side.

Brie recently said she “definitely” has one last run in her and left the door open as to whether it would happen in WWE or somewhere else. Her twin sister Nikki is currently back in WWE but, through this point, has not had Brie with her. It’s been a solo run for Nikki, who unsuccessfully challenged Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship at Survivor Series last weekend.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Bryan Danielson said his wife Brie is not interested in having her own singles run. She wants to team with Nikki if she comes back to wrestling.

“Only in certain contexts,” Danielson responded when asked if he thinks Brie would ever return. “She doesn’t want to come back and do like a singles run or anything like that. If she comes back, she would want to do it with [Nikki]. But I think there’s something in her, too, that — and I can appreciate this — because our kids see her as just a mom. ‘Just a mom,’ as if that isn’t the hardest job in the world. Part of her, I think, has a desire to have the kids see her in that light [as a wrestler].”

Aside from an appearance in the 2022 Royal Rumble, Brie has not wrestled since 2018. She and Nikki were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together as members of the class of 2020.

Brie stated earlier this year that she believes Danielson’s association with AEW has been a “roadblock” toward WWE bringing her back. Danielson wrapped up his full-time career in the ring with AEW in 2024 and remains with the promotion in a role that includes being part of the Dynamite commentary team.