After stepping away from in-ring competition in 2019, Nikki Garcia is now considering a return to her Bella roots.
Garcia, 41, who wrestled in WWE as Nikki Bella alongside her twin sister, Brie Bella (Garcia), from 2008 to 2019, exclusively shared how her January 6 appearance at WWE’s Raw debut on Netflix reignited her passion. “I feel like I’ve still got this,” she said.
“I’ve missed it for quite a few years,” Nikki admitted. “I miss being Nikki Bella. I miss being part of that family. I definitely miss stepping into the ring. When they placed me in the crowd that night, feeling the energy and seeing the Bella Army—whether in person or online—it brought back so many emotions.”
She continued, “Returning to WWE, I don’t think people realize that I started at 22. That was my entire world until recently. It’s always been home for me, and stepping back into that environment was amazing.
The women’s locker room is just incredible. Everyone is so supportive, and there is a real sense of unity. The energy backstage is just electric.”
Nikki Garcia Reflects on WWE and Her Post-Retirement Journey
Garcia, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside her sister in 2020, acknowledged the role they played in shaping the modern women’s division.
“I look around and think, ‘This is why we worked so hard to pave the way in this industry,’” Nikki said. “I feel so fortunate to experience this again. It makes me think, ‘Maybe I need to do this more.’ I truly love it, and I feel like I’ve still got it. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Could the Bella Twins Reunite?
When asked if Brie might return to the ring with her, Nikki left the possibility open.
“After I went and came back, I told Brie, ‘It was amazing,’” Nikki recalled. “So maybe we should make a comeback. She’s in full mom mode, but Brie has that fire in her too. I think if the right moment came along, it wouldn’t take much to convince her to step back into the ring with me.”
Nikki Bella (Photo: Getty Images)
Brie shares two children—daughter Birdie, 7, and son Buddy, 4—with husband Bryan Danielson, a former WWE superstar now part of the All Elite Wrestling roster.
Following her retirement, Nikki made a surprise return at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble, competing in the 30-woman battle royal. With the 2025 Royal Rumble scheduled for February 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, speculation about a potential return remains high.
Embracing a New Chapter
Whether she returns to the ring or not, Nikki is eager to embrace this new phase of her life.
“I’m excited to live this new era of me,” she said. “I have days dedicated to self-care, self-discovery, and truly understanding who I am in my 40s. It’s a whole new chapter, and I have the freedom to shape it however I want. It’s really exciting, especially as a mom.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Nikki and Brie have even entertained the idea of their sons potentially forming a wrestling duo known as the “Bella Fellas.”
Nikki, who gave birth to her son Matteo in August 2020, shares him with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev.
Beyond motherhood, Nikki is determined to set an example for her son, showing him that women are capable of achieving greatness in all aspects of life.
“I want to show my son how incredible it is that women can do it all—whether that’s dominating in the ring, leading a boardroom, or excelling in education,” she expressed.
