WWE
Nikki Bella Officially Retires from In-Ring Competition
As much as it pains me to say, you read that right. One of the greatest WWE Divas Champions of all time, Nikki Bella, has officially retired from in-ring competition.
Even if you don’t watch Total Bellas on a regular basis, it seems that the WWE and E! are hand-in-hand with storylines. Although many of us suspected that Brie Bella was ready to hang up her flannel, it wasn’t actually confirmed until last week’s episode. WWE confirmed Brie’s in-ring retirement just a few days after the show aired. Brie had made that decision without Nikki, which seemed to stun her sister.
Brie’s retirement not only threw off Nikki, but fans as well. The WWE Universe thought The Bella Twins would be quick to return for a shot at the brand-new Women’s Tag Team Championships.
However, we now know that Nikki Bella is following in Brie’s footsteps, announcing retirement as well just last night on the show. She says she’s ready to “fold her jersey” after a grueling European tour. Nikki also acknowledges that the women are doing such fantastic things that she isn’t really needed anymore.
And hearts of fans broke everywhere. (Come on, I know I’m not the only one who is devastated!)
Without a doubt, Nikki has had an incredibly successful career with the WWE. She will go down in history as the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion. Additionally, she went toe-to-toe with Ronda Rousey at the all-women’s PPV, Evolution. Sure, Nikki didn’t capture the RAW Women’s Championship from the former UFC fighter. Yet, that was probably one of the best matches Ronda’s had to date with the company.
Nikki and Brie have been busy with Birdiebee, Nicole + Brizee Beauty, Bella Radici wine, YouTube, and will now be launching a podcast. Even without the company, they will surely keep themselves busy.
Ashley Sweetly Writes
Of course I had to write a farewell to the Bella Twins. While my favorite WWE Diva/Superstar of all-time is AJ Lee, Nikki Bella comes in a very close second.
I hear all the time that the “Bella Twins have done nothing for the division” and that they were “only successful because of their men.” That is one thousand percent ridiculous, and I think most people know this. Nikki did all she could to improve in the ring, and improved greatly following AJ Lee’s departure from the company. Nikki and Brie also grew an entire brand, which is admirable! Could they have done it without the WWE? Maybe not, but those two women did it themselves. It wasn’t John Cena and Daniel Bryan starting up a clothing line or testing thousands of wines to find the right blend.
I also think that people forget that the Divas division when the Bella Twins first started was…forgettable. Yeah, they may have been brought on as eye candy. But that’s exactly what that era was about. The thing with Nikki and Brie, however, is that they would grow as the eras changed. They were pretty faces. But they also became pretty confident. Pretty fearless. Pretty strong.
While we move on to ‘Mania, we are seeing the women headline it for the first time ever. It’s important that we don’t forget just a few years ago, the women were cut completely from the WrestleMania match card. I think it is time that we give credit where credit is due. We have some of the greatest Women Superstars of all-time. But without so many pioneers of the division doing all they could to be recognized, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.
Congratulations, Nikki and Brie, on everything that you’ve accomplished. Although the WWE won’t be the same without you, the WWE wouldn’t have been the same without you. You are truly inspirational, and I cannot thank you enough for all that you’ve done.
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Grieve with the writer: @ashleysweetlyx
Photo credit: Ahmed P1 via Flickr
