Nikki Bella – What Happened the Moment the Beast of Women’s Wrestling Made Her Comeback?

The return of WWE Evolution has created massive buzz within the pro wrestling world. As excitement builds toward the upcoming all-women’s event, Nikki Bella, a legendary figure in WWE’s women’s division, is stepping into the spotlight once again. Her thoughts and insights into this cultural shift in wrestling have reignited discussions around gender equity, legacy, and the future of WWE’s women superstars.

In this 2000-word deep dive, we explore Nikki Bella‘s storied journey, her role in WWE Evolution’s rebirth, and what it all means for both fans and the business side of professional wrestling.

What Is WWE Evolution?

Launched in 2018, WWE Evolution was WWE’s first all-female pay-per-view event, making history as a bold move to spotlight women wrestlers on a mainstream scale. The event featured prominent names like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Trish Stratus, and of course, Nikki Bella, who headlined the main event against Ronda Rousey.

Despite its critical success, WWE did not immediately follow up with a second edition—until now. In 2025, the long-awaited sequel returns, signaling a pivotal moment in the wrestling world.

Unlike the 2018 version, WWE Evolution 2025 will stream live on both Peacock and Netflix, making it accessible to a broader global audience. Held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, the event is expected to draw over 8,000 fans and feature top stars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.Nikki Bella’s Career and Cultural Impact

Nikki Bella—born Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace—emerged as a central figure in WWE’s “Divas Era,” a time that focused more on glamour than in-ring performance. Despite criticism of the era, Nikki Bella evolved into one of its most skilled and tenacious performers, holding the Divas Championship for a record 301 days.

Alongside her twin sister Brie Bella, the duo known as The Bella Twins became pop culture icons, starring in reality shows like Total Divas and Total Bellas. Yet beyond her entertainment success, Nikki Bella pushed the boundaries of what it meant to be a woman in WWE.

| Nikki Bella: “I helped fight for this revolution, and I’ve always wanted it to grow beyond me.” |

This quote reflects Nikki Bella’s desire to see female talent transcend the limitations she once faced. Her advocacy for better storylines, longer match times, and main-event billing has undeniably helped reshape WWE’s approach to its women’s division.

The Long Road Back to Evolution

So why did WWE wait seven years to bring back Evolution?

In the years following the inaugural event, there were murmurs that the pay-per-view didn’t meet internal benchmarks for merchandise or ticket sales. However, fan interest never waned. Every time a major all-women’s storyline broke out on Raw or SmackDown, fans flooded social media with pleas for Evolution’s return.

| Nikki Bella: “We weren’t just fighting for screen time—we were fighting for respect.” |

Her statement underscores a deeper issue: women’s wrestling isn’t just about representation. It’s about equity, and events like Evolution are tangible signs of progress.

The Modern Women’s Division: A New Landscape

Today’s women’s division is drastically different from the one Nikki Bella came up in. Athletes like Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Roxanne Perez are performing at levels that rival or even surpass their male counterparts.

The influence of pioneers like Nikki Bella is evident. These newer stars grew up watching The Bella Twins and now stand on their shoulders. At the same time, Evolution 2025 provides a platform where multiple generations of women can share the stage, creating a symbolic and literal passing of the torch.

Nikki Bella on Wrestling and Motherhood

Since becoming a mother in 2020, Nikki Bella has experienced a shift in her personal and professional outlook.

| Nikki Bella: “Motherhood made me realize how much representation matters. I want my son to grow up seeing strong women lead.” |

In recent interviews, she explained how becoming a parent made her more passionate about inclusive storytelling in wrestling. She wants her legacy not just to be about wins and titles, but about creating space for others.

Evolution as a Cultural Event

WWE Evolution isn’t just a wrestling show. It’s a cultural moment. With Netflix co-streaming the event globally, WWE is sending a message: women’s wrestling is mainstream entertainment. The significance of broadcasting Evolution on platforms with hundreds of millions of users cannot be overstated.

WWE’s partnership with Netflix also opens the door to potential documentaries, behind-the-scenes series, and cross-promotions—many of which may involve Nikki Bella, who is no stranger to television success.

The Business Behind the Buzz

From a business standpoint, Evolution 2025 is a strategic move. WWE recognizes the untapped commercial power of its women’s roster. Merchandise sales for stars like Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, and Bayley continue to perform well.

Investing in a marquee event like Evolution allows WWE to package its women’s talent as main-event draws, not just supporting acts. For advertisers, this opens new opportunities to align with empowerment messaging and next-generation storytelling.

| Nikki Bella: “We’ve proven we can draw. Now let us deliver.” |

Her confidence reflects the data: women’s matches often outperform expectations in TV ratings and social media engagement. Evolution 2025 is expected to capitalize on that trend.

Behind the Curtain: Nikki’s Honest Reflection

What makes Nikki Bella’s return so compelling isn’t just nostalgia—it’s her honesty. She’s openly discussed her past frustrations with how she and other women were treated by the industry.

| Nikki Bella: “There was a time when we weren’t even allowed to say the word ‘wrestler.’” |

Statements like these pull back the curtain on the challenges women faced behind the scenes. And yet, she still returns—not to reclaim old glory, but to help write a new chapter.

Fan Reception and Online Momentum

On Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, #Evolution2025 has been trending consistently since the announcement. Fans have created tribute videos, fantasy bookings, and even cosplay around returning legends like Nikki Bella, Trish Stratus, and Beth Phoenix.

For Gen Z fans, many of whom discovered wrestling through streaming services or social media, this event is their first taste of Evolution in real time. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with younger audiences particularly excited about cross-brand matches and unique stipulations.

The Match Card: Who’s Wrestling?

While the full card is yet to be finalized, confirmed participants include:

• Becky Lynch vs. Iyo Sky for the Women’s World Championship

• Rhea Ripley in a gauntlet-style match

• Tag match featuring The Bella Twins vs. Toxic Attraction

• Surprise appearance teased from Sasha Banks (Mercedes Moné)

Though Nikki Bella has not confirmed an in-ring return, she hinted at possibly stepping in as a special enforcer or guest referee.

| Nikki Bella: “I’m not saying I’ll wrestle… but I’m not saying I won’t.” |

What’s Next for Nikki?

Aside from Evolution, Nikki Bella is exploring media projects under her real name, Nikki Garcia. She’s hosting talk shows, appearing in podcasts, and working on a children’s book focused on empowerment. While she’s no longer under a full-time WWE contract, her legacy remains deeply tied to the company’s evolution—no pun intended.

Rumors continue to swirl about a Hall of Fame documentary or a surprise Royal Rumble return, but for now, her focus seems to be on mentoring young stars and promoting women’s empowerment through storytelling.

Nikki Bella has made it clear: she’s not here for the spotlight alone. She’s here to amplify others and solidify a movement she helped start.

Nikki Bella’s involvement in WWE Evolution 2025 highlights how far women’s wrestling has come—and how far it can still go. With mainstream attention, streaming reach, and generational crossover, this is more than an event—it’s a revolution, again.