After retiring from in-ring wrestling action in 2019, Nikki Garcia hinted it might be time to go back to her Bella roots.
Garcia, 41, who competed in WWE as Nikki Bella alongside her twin sister, Brie Bella (Garcia), from 2008 to 2019, exclusively told Us Weekly how a January 6 appearance at WWE’s Raw debut on Netflix made her say, “I feel like I’ve still got this.”
“I’ve missed it for quite a few years,” Nikki admitted. “I miss being Nikki Bella. I miss being around that family. I definitely miss being in that ring. When they put me in the crowd that night and to feel the energy and see the Bella Army, whether they were in the crowd or online, it starts to give you these feels.”
Nikki added, “Going home to WWE, I don’t think people understand, I started at 22. That’s all I ever knew up until a little bit ago. So, that’s been the biggest home for me and to go back and be home and the environment there is so incredible. The women were just, what a great locker room. They were just so awesome and together and one and unity and everyone back there was just so happy. You could tell the energy there right now is just incredible.”
Related: Nikki Garcia Gets Candid in 1st Interview After Divorce: ‘I Was in Shock‘
Nikki Garcia thought she’d finally found her happily ever after. In early 2019, shortly after calling off her engagement to fellow WWE superstar John Cena, Garcia reconnected with her Season 25 Dancing With the Stars partner, Artem Chigvintsev, for what would become a whirlwind romance. By November, the two were engaged and soon welcomed their […]
Nikki, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with her sister in 2020, was able to appreciate how the modern day camaraderie of the WWE’s women’s division is much in thanks to them.
“I’m like, ‘This is why we paved roads in this industry,’” Nikki gushed. “I feel so blessed to go back and experience it. I’m like, ‘OK, I think I need to experience this more.’ I really love it. I feel like I’ve still got it, so we’ll see.”
As for whether Brie might join her in the ring this time around, Nikki left the door ajar for a potential Bella Twins reunion.
“When I went and I came back, I was like, ‘Brie, it’s so amazing,’” Nikki said. “So maybe we should make a comeback. She’s so in mom mode, but Brie has that fire in her, too. She has that last run. I feel like it wouldn’t take a lot to get her to come back with me.”
Brie and husband Bryan Danielson, a former WWE star who is currently on the All Elite Wrestling roster, share two kids: daughter Birdie, 7, and son Buddy, 4.
Post-retirement, Nikki made a surprise appearance at the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble, where she competed in the annual 30-woman over the top rope battle royal. The 2025 Royal Rumble is set for Saturday, February 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Wrestling renaissance or not, Nikki said she’s “excited to just live this new era of me.”
“I have days where I get to focus a lot on me, and self care and just really get to know who I am in my 40s and where I want to go,” Nikki explained. “I feel like I have this whole new era to look at and I get to choose how I want to be and take it. It’s really cool, especially on top of it being a mom.”
Related: Nikki and Brie Garcia Would Let Their Sons Wrestle as the ‘Bella Fellas’
Nikki and Brie Garcia are all for their sons following in their wrestling footsteps. “Those two are like this, [they are] so close,” Nikki, 40, exclusively told Us Weekly of the bond between her son Matteo, 3, and her sister Brie’s son, Buddy, 3, on Wednesday, May 1, while promoting Polaris’ International Female Ride Day. […]
Nikki gave birth to her son, Matteo, in August 2020, who she shares with ex-husband Artem Chigvintsev.
In addition to being a “great mom,” Nikki is eager to show her 4-year-old that she’s far more than any one label.
“[I want to] also show my son how amazing it is that women can do all these incredible things, whether that’s kicking butt in the ring, running a boardroom, being amazing at school,” she said.
For more on Nikki watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
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