You can look, but you can’t touch—unless you’re Nia Jax tossing Nikki Bella out of the Royal Rumble.
After three years away from WWE, Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made a surprise return at #30 in the Women’s Royal Rumble, instantly bringing Indianapolis to its feet. And for a moment, just a moment, it looked like she might be making a serious run at WrestleMania 41.
Her return kicked off with an intense stare-down with Nia Jax, who entered right before her at #29. After locking up with Jax, Bella quickly got involved with Bayley and Roxanne Perez—managing to eliminate Bayley before, well… Nia Jax happened.
Despite entering dead last and making it all the way to the final four, Bella’s dreams of headlining WrestleMania came to a swift end when Jax sent her over the ropes. From there, only Jax, Perez, and eventual (because of course) winner Charlotte Flair remained.
Bella’s last WWE match was the 2022 Royal Rumble, where she was eliminated by—wait for it—Ronda Rousey. So, while she improved her finish, it was still another Rumble heartbreak. Whether this was a one-time nostalgia moment or the start of something more? That remains to be seen.
She wasn’t the only legend in the match either—Trish Stratus also made an appearance, because it wouldn’t be a Rumble without a blast from the past.
So, is Nikki Bella back for real? Or was this just another one-night-only comeback? Time will tell, but either way, the Bella Army got their moment.