During the December 29th episode of RAW, Nikki Bella became the center of attention when she faced Stephanie Vaquer and Raquel Rodriguez in a Women’s World Championship match. The moment of discussion arose as Bella applied her signature Fearless Lock on Rodriguez, prompting the audience to chant “Thank You Cena!” referencing John Cena’s familiar STF move. Bella quickly countered with a shout to the crowd, insisting, “No! Thank me!”
Clarification on the Fearless Lock Versus John Cena’s STF
In the days following her match, Nikki Bella addressed the excitement and comparisons on the Nikki & Brie Show podcast. She detailed the origins and distinctiveness of her finishing move when matched against John Cena’s well-known STF submission, stating that although both moves might appear similar at a glance, key elements set them apart.
“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,”
Bella explained, highlighting the unique execution of her move compared to Cena’s style.
Bella elaborated that the move was first introduced to her by Shayna Baszler, a skilled submission specialist. The moniker ‘Fearless Lock’ was chosen to reflect Bella’s ring persona, “Fearless Nikki,” especially after she came back from a significant neck injury. She developed and refined the move while training with Nattie (Natalya), Shayna, and Bayley at WWE’s Performance Center, and even credited an MMA training session with Baszler for teaching her authentic techniques.
Personal Meaning Behind the Submission and Bella’s Comeback
Bella shared more about her determination to return to wrestling after her injury stronger than ever, desiring to add a powerful submission to her repertoire. She made it clear that Shayna Baszler assured her the Fearless Lock bore no direct relation to John Cena’s STF, despite similarities in its initial step.
“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,”
Bella relayed, reiterating that her move’s mechanics and intent differ from Cena’s.
Audience Reaction and Bella’s On-the-Spot Response
During the recent RAW match, Raquel Rodriguez became the first opponent over six feet tall to rest in the Fearless Lock, making the maneuver look unique and feel different, according to Bella. The fan chants tying the move back to Cena prompted a spirited response from her in the ring.
“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, Wrestler & Podcast Host
Bella and Cena’s Relationship History Still a Talking Point
John Cena and Nikki Bella were once among the most high-profile couples in WWE, and Cena’s proposal to Bella at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 was a memorable moment for fans worldwide. The duo’s engagement, however, ended before reaching marriage, a chapter that still finds mention whenever Bella showcases moves reminiscent of Cena’s famous submission in the ring.
What This Means for Nikki Bella and WWE Fans
Nikki Bella’s ongoing narrative about her Fearless Lock and the John Cena STF comparison highlights her passion for wrestling and personal growth. With clear differentiation from Cena’s move and a renewed drive showcased during major matches, Bella continues to cement her legacy as one of WWE’s most resilient and inventive performers. Fans of Women’s World Championship wrestling and longtime WWE followers can expect Nikki Bella to keep forging her own path as she steps into future bouts, shaping new stories within the sport.
