Nikki Bella is set to compete in her first singles match since suffering a broken ankle, facing off against Paige—the wrestler who replaced her at WrestleMania. Their bout is scheduled for SmackDown in Mexico City, and Bella has already been celebrating the upcoming victory on the Nikki and Brie Show.
Bella confidently stated, “We celebrate the wins before they happen, because you know your girl’s gonna win.” When her sister Brie, who has recently teamed with Paige, urged her to go easy on her partner, Nikki firmly warned her not to underestimate her. This match holds special significance for both Bella twins; Nikki noted that the last time WWE held a televised event in Mexico City—which was WWE’s debut show there—both she and Brie were part of it, marking about 15 years ago.
The whole family is traveling for the event, including their father and siblings Alexia and Ezekiel, with plans to record their podcast from Mexico City. Nikki also addressed the intense personal promos exchanged between her and Paige on the last SmackDown, embracing the raw emotions as a means to engage the audience. She explained that the confrontations weren’t scripted out of thin air but were inspired by the chants from fans in Canada, adding that performing live amplified the crowd’s reactions, which she finds exhilarating.
Nikki’s injury occurred during a March SmackDown tag match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, initially diagnosed as a sprain but later revealed to be more severe by MRI. This led to surgery two weeks prior to WrestleMania 42, forcing her out of a planned Women’s Tag Team Championship four-way match where Paige stepped in and won the titles alongside Brie. Paige’s return was significant, marking her comeback after an eight-year hiatus due to a career-threatening neck injury.
Nikki returned to action in July on SmackDown, thwarting an attack on Brie and Paige, and setting up a six-woman tag match at SummerSlam. This upcoming singles match against Paige will be her first since the injury and only her second singles bout since 2018. Her previous match was on Raw last year following a surprise comeback at the 2025 Royal Rumble, continuing into a feud with Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Fan Take: This match is more than just a physical contest—it’s a storyline rich with personal history and emotional stakes that can reignite interest in women’s wrestling. For fight enthusiasts, Nikki’s return symbolizes resilience and adds depth to the sport by blending real-life struggles with in-ring drama, promising an unforgettable showdown.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
