Alexa Bliss faced a challenging experience during a WWE storyline in 2018 that revolved around bullying. The storyline, set between Bliss and Nia Jax, featured Bliss mocking Jax’s appearance and questioning her position in WWE. This narrative led to a major match at WrestleMania 34 where Nia Jax claimed the RAW Women’s Championship. Despite their convincing performances, Alexa Bliss struggled with portraying the antagonist.
The tension arose because Alexa Bliss found it difficult to fully embrace the role of a villain due to her personal nature. In a recent conversation on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Nia Jax recalled how Bliss was reluctant to deliver harsh insults during their feud but was encouraged to commit to the story for its significant potential.
“Lexi, I just remember her being like, ‘I don’t really want to say this. This is really mean. I don’t really want to do this.’ She had a hard time ’cause she’s a great human being. And I was like, ‘Dude, we got to sell this story. We want this, we want to pitch this. This is supposed to be a major storyline, we want this.’”
Despite her hesitation, the storyline was pushed as a key highlight of WWE programming at the time, enhancing the drama leading up to Nia Jax’s championship victory over Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania 34.
Nia Jax Reflects on Being Bullied and the Impact of Their Feud
Nia Jax also shared insights about her personal experiences with bullying, which helped her to handle the verbal jabs from Alexa Bliss during their feud. She described having strong resilience due to past bullying, particularly from her brothers, but admitted there were moments when the insults affected her. Still, Jax expressed pride in how their rivalry played out, praising Alexa Bliss’s ability to portray her character convincingly despite the emotional difficulty.
“I have been bullied in my life. My biggest bullies in my life are my brothers. So I really have thick skin, like nobody can really hurt my feelings, but there has been times where it’s like, I’ve been made fun of for the way I look and how big I am and whatnot. And so it wasn’t that hard to pull from. But I’m really proud of that storyline because we both gave it our all, and she’s such a great little actress.”
Jax’s reflections underline the complex dynamics wrestlers navigate when blending personal feelings with scripted storylines. Her pride in the project emphasizes how difficult narratives can still lead to memorable moments in WWE history.
The Significance and Lasting Effects of the WrestleMania 34 Feud
The 2018 feud between Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax remains notable for its portrayal of real emotional struggle within scripted entertainment. Alexa Bliss’s conflict with her character highlights the emotional toll professional wrestling storylines can take on performers. Meanwhile, Nia Jax’s background and determination added a layer of authenticity to the rivalry.
This storyline helped elevate both women’s profiles in WWE and brought attention to the RAW Women’s Championship through a high-profile match at WrestleMania 34. Their willingness to confront uncomfortable themes also reflected WWE’s evolving approach to storytelling by incorporating more nuanced character dynamics.
As WWE continues to build new storylines, the experiences of Bliss and Jax serve as a reminder of the balancing act wrestlers perform between entertainment and real personal challenges. Fans and industry insiders alike recognize the courage required to tackle such roles, shedding light on the human side behind the characters in the ring.
WrestleMania 34, Nia Jax def. Alexa Bliss & became the RAW Women's Champion 😭💜 pic.twitter.com/E6bpu6Al7E
— Out of Context Bloodline (@oocbloodline) May 1, 2024
