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 Wrestlingalso contacted her earlier this year about a potential role.
We have the largest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in our history up on the site today because we are covering two very newsworthy weeks:
*Full coverage of Full Gear. The good, the bad, the reaction, the business notes, reasons for the surprisingly good PPV number, thoughts on the world title change, long title reigns and how they create legends, and early Continental Classic thoughts.
*Notes and odds regarding upcoming matches
*UFC announces its first two shows of 2026, changes that the company is making and why the first two main events are so controversial
*Full coverage of UFC 323
*The life and times of Bob Caudle, the voice of Mid Atlantic wrestling and a Hall of Fame candidate
*A detailed look at how and why the ratings have changed, why the explanation makes no sense, exactly how much the new panel and big data ratings have hurt each show and in particular where.
*The most in-depth look at the ratings for all the shows over the past two weeks, placings for the week, placings in the time slot, men vs. women, how the placings compare to 2024 and 2023, and each show compared with the prior year and prior week, as well as the leading competition for each show.
*Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Daniel Garcia, Komander, Mortos, Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight go to CMLL, draw big crowds and a look at their key matches
*CMLL ready to honor a milestone it is close that no company has ever done in history
*Notes on AAA’s new TV deal in Mexico and Latin America and who they are pushing as the top stars
*WWE tag team taking the name of one of Mexico’s greatest tag teams in history
*Updates on tag team tournaments in Stardom, New Japan and All Japan.
*Wrestler suspended after getting in car accident and messing up a tournament
*Update on Tokyo Dome ticket sales
*Fantastica Mania 2026 notes
*Battle of the Generations
*RAF new philosophy and update
*Santo’s final matches
*Sting’s son has first singles match
*Headbangers farewell tour
*The oldest male wrestler in history has a match last week
*Opera Cup notes
*TNA business notes as well as notes on the next PPV show and the last major show
*AEW TV changes
*Final Battle updated card
*Tony Khan on multiple subjects
*Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
*Two best in the world at their specific sport athletes are on UFC’s radar
*Becky Lynch’s comments
*Update on stockholders lawsuit against WWE
*New WWE signings
*WWE star talks about her domestic violence issue
*WWE engagements
*Bret Hart talks McMahon and Michaels and our thoughts on it
After Alicia Taylor on social media reflected on her final ring introduction of John Cena at Survivor Series, he responded: “Matches and moments are only memorable if we ALL believe in them. Thank YOU for being a driving force to help audiences around the world enjoy and invest in these moments. NO ONE does it alone. Your professionalism, passion, presentation and overall love of the business lay the foundation for lifelong memories.”
Reacting to her Survivor Series loss, Nikki Bella wrote on Instagram: “I want a rematch! When my face heals this week I will be more than ready! Her foot?! The ref! That match was mine! That title is mine!”
Nikki Bella is starring in “The Gift Exchange” this holiday season, although the film itself doesn’t actually exist.
Google has partnered with NBCUniversal to create a series of holiday-themed ads designed to look and feel like movie posters and movie trailers, but are actually advertisements promoting new Google Search features.
“Get into the spirit this season with festive – though not entirely real – Christmas comedies that show how Google Search can help save your holiday,” a description of the campaign reads.
On Monday, Nikki posted a poster from one of these campaigns that presents her as though she is starring in a holiday rom-com. In the not-real film, Nikki plays Holly Hall, Donna Kelce plays Carol Hall, and Taylor Kinney plays Aiden Winter.
Nikki captioned the post with:
“#Google_Partner #sponsored Big city personal shopper meets hometown hunk. Hey @google what are the odds? Trailer dropping this week.”
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.
Two new title matches are set for Survivor Series.
The open of Monday’s Raw saw new Intercontinental Champion John Cena come out for a promo but was immediately interrupted by former champion Dominik Mysterio, who was unhappy about his loss the previous week. He threw out the challenge for a rematch on his home turf: Survivor Series in San Diego. Cena agreed to the match, setting the stage for what will be his final premium live event match.
After some more back and forth, Cena wrestled his final match on Raw. He teamed with Sheamus and Rey Mysterio to defeat Dominik, Finn Balor, and JD McDonagh, scoring the win for his team with the AA.
Stephanie Vaquer will defend the Women’s World Championship against a newly-heel Nikki Bella, who last week attacked Vaquer from behind after initially making the save for her against Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. As Vaquer made her entrance on Monday, Bella again attacked her from behind. She cut a promo saying she didn’t return to WWE to sit at the sidelines and thanked Vaquer for reminding her who she is.
The updated lineup for Survivor Series:
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames (November 29)
Men’s WarGames match: CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed
Women’s WarGames match: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka, and Kairi Sane
Intercontinental Championship: John Cena defends against Dominik Mysterio
Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer defends against Nikki Bella
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Paramount+ raising prices with the new UFC deal, Andrade walking out of a promotion in Mexico, UFC this Saturday, the full WWE Raw report with John Cena’s final title win, another title change, WarGames build, and more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: Godofredo Pepey passes away, Paramount+ price hikes coming 5:22: Galeno del Mal signs with AAA/WWE, the latest on Andrade, UFC at MSG this weekend 12:55: WWE Raw recap, lineups for the coming week 46:02: Mailbag
Shocking fans around the globe, Nikki Bella has turned against Stephanie Vaquer.
Toward the final hour of the November 10th episode of Raw in Boston, fans witnessed Nikki Bella’s shocking heel turn. Standing by Stephanie Vaquer during her match against Raquel Rodriguez, the post-match segment saw Bella brutally attack Vaquer and turn heel on live television.
NIKKI BELLA JUST HIT STEPHANIE VAQUER WITH THE WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!! 😱
After Bella saved La Primera from an attack by Roxanne Perez, she betrayed Vaquer and turned against the 32-year-old, shifting her focus to the Women’s World Championship. Bella had partnered up with Vaquer a few months ago as many wrestling fans expected the heel turn to come sooner or later.
Although retired from wrestling, Nikki Bella made her in-ring return earlier this year at Royal Rumble 2025 and has since then been an active part of the women’s roster.
“Bryan (Danielson) and I already have good conversations, mainly about wrestling, but they’re good conversations. It was cute because at Raw yesterday, I was talking with some of the girls and we were talking about my match last week and I was like, ‘Yeah, and Bryan and blah, blah.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh my God, how cool. Like, so Bryan gives you advice?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, he gives me feedback.’”
While Bella is an active part of the WWE roster, Bryan Danielson is a former AEW in-ring wrestler currently performing commentary duties.
Having Bryan Danielson as her brother-in-law affords Nikki Bella the luxury of getting advice from one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time.
On a new episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, Bella said her peers in the WWE women’s locker room think it’s “so cool” that she gets advice from Danielson, who gives feedback on her matches and sends her things to study. Bella believes that feedback has helped her improve her intensity in the ring lately.
“Bryan and I already have good conversations, mainly about wrestling, but they’re good conversations,” Bella said. “It was cute because at Raw yesterday, I was talking with some of the girls and we were talking about my match last week and I was like, ‘Yeah, and Bryan and blah, blah.’ And they’re like, ‘Oh my God, how cool. Like, so Bryan gives you advice?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, he gives me feedback.’
“He has sent me stuff to watch. He’ll tell me things to work on. And they’re like, ‘Dude, you’re so lucky.’ And I’m like, ‘I know.’ And I go, ‘And he’s honest.’ That’s why last night, did you notice how I was a little more — I had more intensity going into things.”
Bella returned to WWE this year for an extended run back in the company. So far, her twin sister Brie has not been back with her — with Danielson’s AEW ties being a roadblock preventing that from happening. Danielson departed WWE for AEW in 2021 and is now a commentator for Dynamite, along with helping behind the scenes.
In addition to getting advice from Danielson, Nikki Bella said William Regal is someone in WWE who gives great pointers to talent.
The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020. With Brie not in WWE at the moment, Nikki is aligned with Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer.
The short-lived issues between Wade Barrett and Nikki Bella are now over following a conversation between the two sides.
On The Nikki & Brie Show this week, Nikki expressed that she would like to have a conversation with Barrett regarding comments he made about her on the WWE Clash in Paris pre-show. Bella thought that Barrett was avoiding her at Raw this Monday following the PLE, but Barrett responded by saying he didn’t know what Bella was talking about and didn’t know she was unhappy with his comments.
The two have now spoken, with Barrett saying they smoothed things over.
Great news, fight fans.. @NikkiAndBrie and I have spoken, we’ve smoothed things over, and I’ve graciously been allowed back into the Bella Army. Fully paid-up member since FCW 2008 🤝🏻🍷
A difference of perspective – to which we are all entitled – but to be clear, some of the…
“Great news, fight fans..[Nikki] and I have spoken, we’ve smoothed things over, and I’ve graciously been allowed back into the Bella Army. Fully paid-up member since FCW 2008,” Barrett tweeted.
“A difference of perspective – to which we are all entitled – but to be clear, some of the personal abuse that gets sent to Nikki on here is reprehensible and completely out of line, so let’s cut that out immediately.”
During Sunday’s Clash in Paris pre-show, Barrett — in his heel commentator role — praised Bella as the best of her era but claimed that she was now trying to recapture former glory. He said Bella was “desperate” to prove that she could still compete with a new generation that has changed the game.
Though she took exception to his comments, Bella did say on The Nikki & Brie Show that she understood Barrett was trying to be a heel with what he said.
Clash in Paris saw Becky Lynch defeat Bella to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Bella reflected on the match on her podcast, saying she feels so proud of herself despite a couple of spots that did not go according to plan. Bella stated that she did get hate from some fans on X/Twitter for the match but is choosing to instead focus on the love she received and how much fun she had.
“This is a part of life and coming back,” she said. “Things don’t happen overnight. And if you look at other comebacks, like, I’m not here to do a one-off and go to the [Performance Center] and train the same match for five hours every day to perform that 15 minutes that I just put 30 hours in.
“I’m doing it as I have so much passion and love for this business. And that’s why I was like, I’m not going to let people take away of how much fun I had out there and how I loved every second. I was like in heaven. Like, I truly love wrestling. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m traveling every week.”
Commentator Wade Barrett has responded to Nikki Bella’s comment that he avoided her at WWE Raw after making negative comments about her last weekend.
On The Nikki & Brie Show podcast this week, Bella spoke regarding Barrett’s commentary on Sunday’s Clash in Paris PLE pre-show, where in his role as a heel, Barrett suggested that WWE’s women’s division may have passed Bella by in the years since she last regularly competed in the ring.
Bella said:
“I would love to have a conversation with Wade Barrett, and he avoided me on Monday [at WWE Raw] which was shocking because he always comes up and says hi to me, and he tried to avoid making eye contact with me in the hallway.”
Bella went on to note that she understands that as a heel, Barrett has a certain role to play, but implied that his comments on the pre-show crossed a line:
“I understand when you want to be a heel commentator and stuff, but then there’s one thing of like…Michael Cole does this beautifully, and this is why Michael Cole is one of the greatest commentators. He knows how to take a life story and put it into what we do, because that is real. We don’t go out there as robots or superheroes. We’re actually professional athletes and we go through real things and we have to make that part of it.”
“Honestly, that stuff doesn’t bother me because I get it. Like, I was watching the pre-show and I saw what Wade was saying about me in the pre-show, and I was sitting there getting ready in the locker room like, oh, okay. That’s fine.“
Barrett responded to Bella in a social media post on X and denied that he avoided Bella at Raw, and wished that she had told him about the situation privately rather than on her show. Barrett posted:
I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast. I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true.
I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast. I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true. https://t.co/H7lkgKxkp0
Nikki Bella’s match against Becky Lynch originally wasn’t supposed to happen at WWE Clash in Paris.
The two faced off at Sunday’s PLE with Lynch defeating Bella to retain the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. While recapping the weekend on The Nikki & Brie Show, Bella confirmed that her match against Lynch was originally planned for an episode of Raw before those plans were changed due to Naomi’s pregnancy.
“So from Birmingham until I arrived in Paris, I didn’t go home because I knew, okay, by the time I go [from] England back to [San Francisco International Airport], then have to do SFO back to Paris, I would really be home for two days, crazy jet lagged and to prepare for a match that originally was going to be on Raw, that got moved to the PLE,” Bella said while discussing her preparation for the match. “I’m like, I have to stay overseas and just prep, kick the jet lag out.”
Bella said she believes she found out about the change one week before. She doesn’t fully know what the original Clash in Paris card was going to be but assumes there was only one women’s match scheduled, which would have been Naomi defending the Women’s World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer.
That Naomi vs. Vaquer bout got pulled following Naomi’s pregnancy announcement, with a new champ now set to be crowned when Vaquer faces IYO SKY at WWE Wrestlepalooza.
Bella said getting to have a title match in Paris was a dream come true, and she feels so proud of herself despite there being a couple of spots in the match that didn’t go according to plan. Bella noted that people were clapping for her backstage when she came back after the match, which was really special to her. She got some hate on X/Twitter for her performance, but Bella is focusing more on the love she received and how much fun she had.
“This is a part of life and coming back,” she said. “Things don’t happen overnight. And if you look at other comebacks, like, I’m not here to do a one-off and go to the [Performance Center] and train the same match for five hours every day to perform that 15 minutes that I just put 30 hours in.
“I’m doing it as I have so much passion and love for this business. And that’s why I was like, I’m not going to let people take away of how much fun I had out there and how I loved every second. I was like in heaven. Like, I truly love wrestling. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m traveling every week.”
Nikki Bella reflected on her Paris experience on social media.
Bella wrote on X Sunday that while she came up short in her match against Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris, she wanted to thank her supporters for helping her getting through it all.
“There’s nothing like my Bella Army!! Your love and support gets me through it all!! Fell short tonight but the beauty in that is it’s only the beginning,” she wrote. “Felt so great being out there like that again! Love you all so much! And Paris cheers or boos you all are such an amazing crowd!! Thank you!!”
There’s nothing like my Bella Army!! 🥰🫶🏼❤️ Your love and support gets me through it all!! Fell short tonight but the beauty in that is it’s only the beginning. Felt so great being out there like that again! Love you all so much! And Paris cheers or boos you all are such an…
After being gone from WWE for three years, Bella made a surprise return at this year’s Royal Rumble. She returned at Evolution to build a match with Liv Morgan, but once Morgan was injured instead pivoted towards the 20-woman battle royal on the show. She came up short, as Stephanie Vaquer emerged as the winner.
On the Raw following SummerSlam, Bella was seen talking amicably with IYO SKY when Asuka came in and offered to be in SKY’s corner for her upcoming World title match at Wrestlepalooza. Bella didn’t seem to appreciate being cut off by Asuka.
Nikki Bella believes Becky Lynch is “one of the greatest superstars ever.”
Bella will challenge Lynch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship at today’s Clash in Paris event. She spoke with Sports Illustrated ahead of the PLE and praised her upcoming opponent, but noted that when Lynch was first rising up in WWE, her talent was overshadowed by stars like Charlotte Flair and the former Sasha Banks.
Bella said:
“I did see potential, but I’ll admit it was definitely overshadowed. You couldn’t help but see what Charlotte Flair was doing, and then Sasha Banks. They were such standouts. Sasha was coming off of that iconic match in NXT with Bayley, so your eyes were really on her. And then Charlotte Flair came in… and there was a lot of focus on her for the Divas Title.”
Bella continued:
“Don’t tell her this, but I think she’s one of the greatest superstars ever. When some of us are overshadowed and held back, it gives us a certain kind of fire to prove ourselves… It’s almost like you need that story to give you a certain drive and motivation, because when you’re already proven out of the gate, where do you go from there?”
Bella continued to say that she sees similarities between her becoming the Fearless version of her character and Lynch becoming The Man and riding a surge in popularity to the main event of WrestleMania 35.
“I didn’t start as Fearless Nikki. She came over time and the minute I became her, that’s what took me to the next level. Same with The Man. When Becky Lynch finally became The Man, that just took off.”
Bella also spoke about the Divas Era lacking the opportunities that were given to Lynch’s generation, and said the athletes they had in the division at the time would have “knocked it out of the ballpark” if they had. She credits Triple H with providing those opportunities for Lynch’s generation.
Bella’s full interview with Sports Illustrated is available here.
“Don't tell her this, but I think she's one of the greatest superstars ever."
Nikki Bella has made up with Sports Illustrated, and says all the women in WWE want her sister Brie to return.
During an in-ring promo segment on Raw this week, Nikki Bella complained about Becky Lynch’s frequent mentioning of Sports Illustrated naming her the greatest women’s wrestler of all time, saying “We don’t care what Sports Illustrated says, Becky.”
“The Takedown on SI is happy to report that we’ve squashed our kayfabe beef with the WWE Hall of Famer,” wrote SI.com’s Rich Ucchino.
Nikki continued to say that she’s been pushing WWE for her sister Brie to return to the company.
“I keep pushing it. All the women want her back and they keep asking me every week has that decision changed,” Nikki said.
Last month, Brie Bella noted on an episode of The Nikki & Brie Show that her husband Bryan Danielson working for AEW is a “roadblock” to her potentially returning to WWE. Nikki expressed she doesn’t believe her sister being married to someone from AEW should factor into things.
“I don’t think legacies should be determined on spouses, but I also understand business,” Nikki said.
Nikki added that she believes WWE is starting to come around to the idea, saying:
“I do think [WWE is] becoming more and more open to it. I understand it takes time and we just have to figure things out. There’s so much business to figure out, and Brie and I both completely understand that.”
Nikki’s full interview with Sports Illustrated is available here.
Happy to report that our @RickUcchino extended the olive branch to @NikkiAndBrie and the kayfabe beef from #WWERaw has been squashed.
Nikki was kind enough to provide an update on Brie's potential return to WWE. Look for more Friday ahead of #WWEClashhttps://t.co/Yo9VTuRXUA
Nikki Bella will challenge Becky Lynch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Clash in Paris.
The match was confirmed during a segment on today’s WWE Raw from Birmingham, England. Lynch cut an in-ring promo that was interrupted by Bella, who said Lynch was afraid to face her. Lynch, who had been insulting the live crowd throughout the segment, eventually agreed to the match but said she wouldn’t do it in Birmingham.
“Will Nikki Bella leave Paris as the NEW Intercontinental Champion THIS SUNDAY?” WWE wrote on X.
“THE MAN IS NOT A COWARD! BECKY LYNCH will defend her Intercontinental Title against NIKKI BELLA at #WWEClash in Paris THIS SUNDAY!” WWE later added.
Our ongoing coverage of WWE Raw is available here.
WWE Clash in Paris lineup for August 31, 2025:
World Championship: Seth Rollins defends against Jey Uso, LA Knight, CM Punk
John Cena vs. Logan Paul
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
Good ‘Ol Fashioned Donnybrook match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch defends against Nikki Bella
