Nikki Bella Finally Reveals Why Potential Romance With Cooper DeJean Failed
Nikki Bella has done her best to silence some romance rumours involving a younger NFL player.
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made her return to WWE in 2025 and had a singles run on the Raw brand.
During her WWE return, there were all kinds of rumours that the 42-year-old Nikki, who is divorced, may have been dating Cooper DeJean of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. DeJean, who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in the 2024 NFL season, is just 23 years old. Nikki will turn 43 later this year, so the 20-year age gap has gotten a lot of attention.
Since DeJean is a WWE fan who has been at shows and fans in Philly even chanted “Coop” at Nikki, many people believe the pair were dating or at least casually having fun.
In an interview with Lala Kent, Nikki Bella admits to having conversations with Cooper, but the 20-year age gap is a big thing to her.
“20 years younger is super young. I did have different conversations with that one. But I realized that young 20s are young, but late 20s are great.
I’m someone who’s obsessed with conversation and sharing experiences. I already know that I need to have someone who’s lived a journey; that’s how I connect. I look at the guys in their 20s that I’ve been with as hookups—have fun, make you feel sexy—and I never thought of them as more than that.”
“I Don’t Like This Kind Of Attention” – Nikki Bella
Even though Nikki Bella has been part of the WWE Universe for nearly 20 years and even had two reality shows focusing on her personal life, she didn’t like the attention she was getting because of the rumored romance with Cooper.
“It was the media, because they made a big deal about this age gap. Some people came at me and called me a groomer and a grandma, and I was like, what the f**k? It ruined things for sure. Even something fun, because it made me feel really weird. I don’t like this kind of attention at all. It’s hard when they are professional athletes.
So Cooper—because obviously that’s the one I made headlines with—an incredible guy, but we just have a big age gap. He’s the 20-year one I made the headlines with. He’s amazing, but it’s just the age gap.” (H/T Ringsidenews)
Regarding her WWE career, Nikki Bella and Brie Bella will get a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Titles for the first time on the March 20th edition of WWE SmackDown. Even though they haven’t won a tag team match since September 2018, The Bella Twins have been granted a shot at the champions – The Irresistible Forces duo of Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
The Bella Twins will also make history as the first pair of identical twins to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Brie Bella returned to WWE after several years away at the 2026 Royal Rumble and has reunited with her sister Nikki as they go for the gold.