WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella marked a significant return by winning her first one-on-one match in seven years on Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, defeating Chelsea Green. Following the Evolution event and the RAW match, Nikki Bella WWE RAW Evolution moments inspired her to share heartfelt thoughts directed at emerging talent within the WWE community.
Performance and Post-Match Events at WWE RAW
Nikki Bella, a two-time WWE Divas Champion, had previously taken part in the Evolution Battle Royal but was eliminated by Lash Legend. A tense interaction between Nikki and Chelsea Green during Evolution set the stage for their singles match on RAW. After Nikki secured her victory, a surprise attack by The Secret Hervice threatened her, but Stephanie Vaquer, the winner of the Evolution Battle Royal, intervened to protect Nikki from further harm.
Nikki Bella’s Message to New Talent and Reflections on Her Return
In an Instagram post, Nikki Bella expressed gratitude for the warm reception she received from the NXT female wrestlers backstage, drawing parallels between their enthusiasm and her own experience when starting out. She specifically praised La Primera and Stephanie Vaquer for their support.
“A real one 🔥 La Primera 💋 @stephanie.vaquer. With a little dump from the past few days. really loved sharing the locker room with the NXT women. They reminded me so much of my girls and me when we were started out,” Nikki wrote.
Additionally, Nikki showcased highlights from the Evolution event, RAW, and other recent appearances, along with glimpses into her business ventures involving Bonita Bonita Wine, developed in partnership with Brie Bella.
Explanation of Match Finish and Ring Rust Acknowledgment
Nikki Bella addressed the awkward ending of her match with Chelsea Green, which featured an old finishing move rather than her current Rack Attack 2.0. The change resulted in a somewhat unusual landing despite ultimately securing the win. Nikki attributed this to ring rust, noting that she had not performed her original Rack Attack since 2016 and that it was the move responsible for a past neck injury.
“What’s crazy is everyone kept telling me backstage, ‘It’s going to be like riding an old bike.’ Well, yeah, it was like riding such an old bike that I went and put Chelsea up in my old Rack Attack that broke my neck. And what was weird is I haven’t hit that since 2016,” Nikki said.
She admitted surprise at attempting her old finisher, but maintained confidence regardless of any online criticism, focusing instead on the fact that she walked away with a win.
Significance of Nikki Bella’s Return and Impact on WWE’s Female Roster
Nikki Bella’s successful return to in-ring competition brings renewed attention to the legacy of former WWE Divas Champions and highlights the connection between established veterans and rising stars. Her victory on RAW, combined with the support shown by fellow wrestlers such as Stephanie Vaquer, exemplifies the evolving dynamic within WWE’s women’s division. This moment provides inspiration for new talent, reinforcing the importance of mentorship and resilience in a highly competitive environment.
Looking ahead, Nikki’s involvement in both wrestling and business endeavors signals continued influence on and off the ring, while her reflections on ring rust suggest she may fine-tune her in-ring style as she remains active in WWE events.
