Brie Bella, a WWE Hall of Famer and former professional wrestler, has revealed that witnessing her twin sister Nikki Bella’s recent return to WWE during the 2026 Royal Rumble motivated her to step back into the wrestling ring. This revelation came during Brie’s appearance on the UnSportsmanLike podcast, where she shared that Nikki’s energy and success reignited her passion for wrestling and gave her the confidence to consider a comeback.
Nikki Bella made her WWE return at the 2026 Royal Rumble event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which served as a catalyst for Brie’s decision. The twins’ emotional reunion in the ring, after several years apart from WWE’s Monday Night RAW stage, highlighted the deep bond they share both personally and professionally.
Emotional Reunion at the Royal Rumble Resonates with Fans and Sisters Alike
Nikki expressed how much she missed Brie during her own singles run over the past year, emphasizing the unique connection they have as twins and tag partners.
“Oh yes. I mean, the twin bond is so strong. And that was like, when I came back a year ago, I truly — this past year totally felt like something was missing. I really wanted Brie by my side, because things are just better as you know with a sibling, and you understand each other when you’re going through life,”
Nikki said.
She also described how being back on the road as a mom and experiencing a new phase of her life made her realize she needed Brie,
“someone who’s there to give me confidence or boost me up.”
The Royal Rumble event itself was a particularly poignant moment for the duo. Nikki recalled,
“That’s what was so incredible and surreal for me at the Royal Rumble, was when she made her entrance out. Because I was [number] 25 and she was 29. And so [being] in the ring and hearing her music, and hearing the crowd just have the biggest reaction ever of the night. It made me wanna cry. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is real. She’s back and we get to do all the things we’ve done.’”
“I mean, we’ve been with the company almost 20 years, which is so crazy,”
Nikki reflected, recognizing their long-standing impact in WWE.
Brie Encouraged by Nikki’s Positive Experience and Fan Energy
Brie credited Nikki’s recent WWE singles run as the primary inspiration behind her return, describing how seeing Nikki’s happiness and empowerment sparked her own desire to compete again.
“I think watching Nikki in the WWE the last year — one, I would feel her nerves from home honestly. But also I think it gave me the itch. Because I saw how happy she was, how empowered she felt. And I was like, ‘I haven’t felt that in a while,’”
Brie said.
She continued,
“In those ways, in that strong way, in that challenging way, I was like, ‘Wait, when was the last time I had like butterflies and felt really nervous?’ And so I think it was, Nikki’s energy being at the WWE was contagious for me. And I’m like, ‘Wait, I gotta get back in there.’”
Experiences from the Royal Rumble in Riyadh Highlight WWE’s Global Reach
Nikki highlighted how impactful it was to be in Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble, describing the enthusiastic fan base and its influence.
“So I got there before Brie. I did a panel the day before, and it was based on women’s health and fitness. But it was in the Fan Zone. And that was my first experience of the Saudi fan base there, the WWE Universe. I was blown away. They have such incredible energy. They are so into WWE, but they are massive Total Divas and Total Bellas fans.”
Nikki shared poignant moments from the panel when local athletes expressed how much she and Brie had inspired them.
“There was a female boxer who was on my panel who’s from there. And she goes, ‘No, you and your sister inspired me. You gave me the empowerment to do what I can do.’ And there was an Olympic weightlifter, and she was like, ‘You coming back, and I am in my older era and you’ve made me believe.’”
She reflected,
“I had no idea how much Brie and I had impacted all the way to Saudi Arabia and beyond, from the girls to the boys who are now women and men.”
Nikki also noted the crowd’s emotional reaction to their entrances at the Royal Rumble.
“There’s still youth, like on Brie’s entrance, the little girl freaking out. And even when I heard my entrance — and then, oh my gosh Brie’s — I was like, ‘Wow, we’ve had a lot of impact here.’ And it almost made you emotional.”
She praised the country, people, and the experience overall, stating,
“They’re so incredible there, and the country’s so beautiful. And the city and the people, they’re just so happy and blessed when we all come over there and entertain and bring them a part of our world. It was so eye-opening and I was like, ‘I love our Saudi Bella army.’”
The Bella Twins Embrace Their WWE Return as Timely and Purposeful
During another podcast appearance on Page Six Radio, Brie and Nikki Bella spoke about their surprise WWE reunion after more than seven years away from the Monday Night RAW ring. They described this comeback as perfectly timed and meaningful.
Brie admitted,
“To be honest, I mean, so two things. I was shocked when the moment came because I definitely thought the door was closed for me. And so when I got the call, I was just like, ‘Whoa. Like, all right, let’s go.’”
Nikki added a brief expression of thanks, saying, “Thank you, Nick [Khan],” acknowledging WWE’s president.
Brie discussed the current women’s tag team division, which motivated their decision:
“Thank you, Nick. And also, I mean, now I look at the women’s tag division, and it’s the best I’ve ever seen it and has been. And I just told Nikki, I’m like, ‘This is our time. This is our time to go for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. It’s time for like the Bella Twins to be back.’”
Nikki commented on the nostalgia surrounding their return,
“Very iconic. You know, it’s kind of funny because I feel like we’re in the era of nostalgia [The 2016 challenge] Yes. You know what I mean? I mean, that was like prime Bellas baby.”
She reflected on the passage of time since their last RAW appearance,
“But it’s just, it feels so great to be back together. It’s crazy that it’s been over seven years. I mean, we’ve done like rumbles, but to be in that Monday Night Raw ring, it’s been over seven and a half years. And so it just feels right. It’s the perfect moment. It’s divine timing.”
Though Nikki had fun during her singles run, she acknowledged the importance of ending her WWE legacy alongside Brie.
“Well, actually, I was actually having a lot of fun without her. But this is the thing. Like, I understand what era I’m in, and I know we can only do this for so long. So I know my days are more towards the end than the beginning, of course. And I just kept being like, ‘Goodness, like I really wanna end this here, my legacy with Brie, like, I have to end it with her by my side and our family there.’”
She emphasized,
“And look, I think we have, you know, a few years left in us, maybe less, who knows? But I want it with her. And so that was like, even though this past year was amazing and it’s been incredible growth for me in that ring. And I’ve become so close with all the other girls, I really missed her, and I knew I needed her too.”
Brie Reflects on the Warm Saudi Fan Reception to Her Royal Rumble Performance
Brie Bella discussed her feelings surrounding fan recognition and reactions during the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble in Riyadh on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. She recalled initial uncertainty about whether fans in Saudi Arabia would recognize her.
“I was so stressed out, I had myself convinced they didn’t know who I was. Actually, when I did get the call to be in the Rumble, I was like, ‘Does Saudi know who I am? Is that a good idea?’ Ask Nikki; up until my music hit, I was just like, ‘Let them at least give me a little something. I just hope they know me.’ I wasn’t sure,”
Brie explained.
Once her entrance music played and the crowd responded enthusiastically, she admitted she could barely contain her excitement.
“I was so sure when it went off, I felt the energy so much I couldn’t even control myself. I was like, so excited. So good.”
Brie also shared details about preparing for her signature ‘Yes Kicks,’ which she initially did not plan to perform, saying,
“For sure, and I wasn’t gonna do the Yes Kicks. I didn’t even bring my kick pads. I was like, in my head, I was sticking to my Brie Mode stuff and different things.”
Despite having limited training—only three sessions in total—Brie was persuaded by a producer shortly before the show to do the kicks if the crowd chanted “Yes.”
“And I said to him, ‘Listen, if they chant ‘Yes,’ I’ll do it, but it makes me nervous because I haven’t done it for five years.’”
Brie and Nikki Bella’s Return Signals New Chapter for WWE Women’s Tag Team Division
The Royal Rumble Bella return marks a significant moment for WWE’s women’s division, especially the increasingly competitive tag team scene. With their decades-long history and the excitement generated by their reunion, the Bella Twins aim to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
The sisters’ comeback not only connects with long-time fans but also energizes the current generation of wrestlers and audiences, infusing new life into a division that has evolved considerably since the Bella Twins first appeared on WWE television. The WWE universe now eagerly anticipates what the Bella Twins will accomplish next, as they embrace this opportunity to compete once again side by side.
