Nikki Bella recalls Paige’s WrestleMania 42 return as her replacement
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Unfortunately, Nikki Bella was sidelined at WrestleMania 42 and was unable to compete for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with her sister Brie.
Instead, it became the next best thing. Nikki Bella came out and addressed the crowd in Las Vegas, announcing that Paige would be replacing her. Fans were very excited to see Paige’s return after a few years away. He and Brie Bella would go on to win titles.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. GET THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Nikki Bella, Paige and Brie Bella celebrate WrestleMania 42 Night 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 18, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Ahead of Brie Bella and Paige’s tag team title defense against Nia Jax and Lash Legend on Saturday Night’s Main Event, Nikki Bella recalled her WrestleMania moment in a recent interview with Fox News Digital.
“It was amazing,” he recalled. “I feel like there’s no one else that could replace me and make that kind of impact as much as Paige because Paige and I have so much history and Paige is really like a sister to Brie and I and she’s a huge star with so much equity. I’m so happy for her. I mean, obviously, you’re already down with the injury. I couldn’t even say that word right medically, you’re just so emotional.”
Bella said she was happy for her sister and Paige’s tag team win, adding that she realized the two could have better chemistry in the ring than her.
Paige and Brie Bella address the crowd during WWE RAW at Thompson-Boling Arena on May 11, 2026 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Michael Owens/WWE)
CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM
“But I was really happy for Paige, and also Brie and Paige have similar feelings,” he said. “I almost feel like it’s more me and Brie. They’re just like the checkerboard, punk kind of girls. So when I watch them on TV every week, I’m like, this is really working. It’s amazing. So it makes me really happy for her, for Paige, for Brie.”
Bella, the Head Margarita Officer at Madam Paleta Tequila, has been working hard to get back on the court after a serious ankle injury.
He explained the timeline to Fox News Digital.
“As of right now, I’m getting my x-rays in mid-June. So x-rays to see how the growth is, MRIs, have my bones fully grown back? Everything,” he said. “But today I was really excited because it was my first opportunity to do squats. I’ve been working out with my trainer and my PT, and last week I needed to get up to a level where we can now focus on strengthening. So, I will say, it takes a lot of work. My broken neck was a lot easier than that, and how is that possible?”
Nikki Bella faces Becky Lynch during Monday Night RAW on August 4, 2025 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. (Michael Marques/WWE)
“But I was so excited this morning because it felt so good to get back into the squat and start somewhere, even though it wasn’t the weight I was used to. And to actually do a full workout and don’t get me wrong, I look like a baby deer in some things and my legs shake like no other, but I have a starting point. When I get those x-rays I’m working really hard to try to get my strength as strong as possible because if I can get clear by mid to late June, then they look at strength, and you’ll get through all these strength tests.” You pass, and I’m trying to get mine as close to there as possible.”
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
For now, Bella will just have to sit back and watch her sister and Paige on Saturday Night’s Main Event in Fort Wayne, Indiana at 8 p.m.
