During a recent episode of WWE RAW, Nikki Bella sparked discussion when fan chants linked her finishing move, the Fearless Lock, to John Cena’s well-known STF submission. The energy in the arena intensified as Bella locked in her submission on Raquel Rodriguez, drawing direct attention to the ongoing John Cena STF comparison that has circulated among wrestling fans.
While applying the Fearless Lock, the crowd began chanting, “Thank You Cena,” prompting Bella to respond passionately, “No! Thank me.” Nikki Bella later addressed the incident on her podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, and offered further details behind the move’s origins and her feelings about the public’s reaction.
Nikki Bella Explains the True Origin of the Fearless Lock
During her podcast, Nikki Bella clarified that the Fearless Lock is distinctly different from John Cena’s STF. She acknowledged the era when comparisons started, stating,
“I think people forgot, not everyone, but I used to do the Fearless Lock. Yes, it was during a period of time when John [Cena] and I were together, but the Fearless Lock is different from his submission, it really is. He lays on top of people and grabbing the front face.”
—Nikki Bella, WWE Star
Bella emphasized that the move was created with a unique backstory, separate from her relationship with John Cena. She credited Shayna Baszler for teaching her the Fearless Lock and revealed it is a legitimate submission technique. Bella recounted,
The Fearless Lock is a legit submission Shayna (Baszler) gave me. We named it the Fearless Lock because of Fearless Nikki, and coming back from my broken neck, I was training a lot with Nattie [Natalya], Shayna, and Bayley at the PC. I went to an MMA place with Shayna, and she was teaching me legitimate moves.
—Nikki Bella, WWE Star
This context shines a light on Nikki Bella’s rehabilitation process after her neck injury, during which she trained with wrestling talents like Natalya, Shayna Baszler, and Bayley. Her collaboration with Shayna Baszler at an MMA facility led to development of the Fearless Lock, reinforcing that the move’s roots are independent from Cena’s STF.
Bella Shares Her Perspective on the Crowd’s Reaction
Recounting her WWE RAW experience, Bella admitted the chants referencing John Cena were unexpected. She described her intentions behind the move’s return,
“I said, ‘I want to come back from this broken neck with a submission.’ She showed me this, and she’s like, ‘It’s not at all what John’s is.’ I get the step in makes people think that, but I’m on the side, and how I lock in, you see it. You’re yanking the person back.”
—Nikki Bella, WWE Star
Bella also reflected on applying the move against Raquel Rodriguez, remarking,
Raquel [Rodriguez] was the first person I did it on over six feet tall, and it looks a lot different. It felt different. I wasn’t expecting anything with John, so when they started chanting, ‘Thank you Cena,’ the old Nikki came alive, ‘Thank me!’ I loved it.
—Nikki Bella, WWE Star
The moment illustrated her energetic and passionate nature, as she embraced the fan reaction and used it to fuel her performance in the ring, while reiterating that her move stands apart from John Cena’s iconic submission hold.
Implications for Nikki Bella’s Legacy and Women’s Wrestling
Nikki Bella’s explanations clarify the distinctions between the Fearless Lock and the STF, dispelling persistent fan assumptions about the move’s origin. By working with respected athletes like Shayna Baszler and overcoming a major injury, Bella added credibility and personal meaning to her signature submission. The lively fan interaction and Bella’s spirited defense underline how storytelling and personal history continue to shape wrestling narratives, ensuring that the John Cena STF comparison remains a subject of discussion and enhancing the legacy of both superstars in WWE history.
