Nikki Bella Names Key Motivation Behind WWE Return

Nikki Bella wants to earn her spot.

After sitting in the crowd in January when Monday Night Raw debuted on Netflix, Nikki Bella returned to the ring a month later at the 2025 Royal Rumble.

At the time, she repeatedly stated that her comeback wasn’t a one-off, and she would be wrestling throughout the year. Although fans were made to wait, she eventually followed up on that appearance in July and wrestled at Evolution 2, and a further two times on Raw.

It’s now been confirmed that Nikki Bella will challenge Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship at Clash In Paris. Bella’s first title match since 2017.

But why come back now?

In a new interview with The Takedown on SI, Bella opened up about her latest return and why she decided to come back. The former Women’s Champion emphasised that this isn’t about taking someone else’s spot, it’s about helping and building up others.

“I’m really here to give my equity to others. I know I’m not gonna be here forever. Maybe that’s only gonna be a year, maybe it’s gonna be a few months, who knows? But I really just wanted to help out, and I wanted to just earn my spot again.”

Bella went on to echo comments made by Trish Stratus back in July, who said she wanted to show that women can perform at a high level into their 40s and beyond.

“Why can’t women my age do it too? Why does it always have to be for one big PLE? We come in for a few weeks and then we’re gone. Why can’t we come in for a while and see how I can hang with the younger era? I’m not here to take spots, I’m here for anything to help the people that we need to make.”

Real Life Issues Behind Becky Lynch’s Rivalry With Nikki Bella?

As the storyline between champion and challenger has grown increasingly heated, Natalya has said she believes there are genuine issues between Nikki Bella and Becky Lynch.

The Canadian star said that it’s clear that Lynch is trying to get under Bella’s skin, but she may have underestimated how strong the WWE Hall of Famer is.

Elsewhere during her conversation with Sports Illustrated, Nikki Bella confirmed that she’s still working on a return for her sister Brie. She said that Brie remains determined to come back, and that the women’s locker is constantly asking when she’ll return.