Nikki Bella delivered a surprise John Cena tribute during the December 29 broadcast of WWE RAW in Orlando, Florida, creating a tense and emotional atmosphere among fans. The Nikki Bella John Cena tribute became a talking point in a night full of major matches and unexpected turns, deepening the drama on the road to WrestleMania.
Unexpected Homage Sparks Rivalries and Crowd Reaction
The episode began with a Women’s World Championship triple threat featuring Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez, and Nikki Bella. Although Bella fought hard, she lost her shot at the title and seemed to be leaving the championship scene behind. That quickly changed when Big Mami Cool entered the fray to challenge Vaquer, with Bella launching a surprise attack and reigniting contention among the three superstars.
As the intense match continued, an unexpected moment unfolded that caught both the audience and competitors off guard. When Vaquer was temporarily taken out of the ring, Nikki Bella attempted to seize control by locking the STF submission hold on Rodriguez—a move famously used by her ex-fiancé, John Cena. The crowd immediately responded with vocal ‘Thank you, Cena’ chants, making the link between Bella and her well-known former partner impossible to ignore.
“I hate how the crowd treats Nikki Bella about John Cena 🥲#WWERAWpic.twitter.com/D2vo5ZzZ2t”— Livv4Punk 🤍. (@YaLivv4Punk)
Bella did not shy away from the attention. Instead of ignoring the chants, she directly addressed the audience, demanding that the appreciation be directed at her rather than Cena. This acknowledgment of her WWE history with Cena only amplified the crowd’s reactions and added tension to an already charged showdown.
The Significance of Bella’s Tribute
The visible tribute to Cena was particularly notable considering Bella and Cena ended their engagement in 2018, making any public callback to their relationship rare and loaded with emotion. By borrowing Cena’s signature submission move and responding directly to fans, Bella blended her personal past with her in-ring narrative, intensifying the ongoing rivalry with Rodriguez and Vaquer while evoking complex reactions from everyone present.
This dramatic moment not only shaped the developing storyline on WWE RAW but also showed how personal history and professional rivalries can become intertwined on wrestling’s biggest stages. With this latest twist, Bella’s actions have set the stage for further confrontations as the red brand show continues its buildup toward WrestleMania in the coming season.
I hate how the crowd treats Nikki Bella about John Cena 🥲#WWERAW
— Livv4Punk 🤍. (@YaLivv4Punk) December 30, 2025
