WWE Legend Wants To Bring “More Layers” Out Of Rhea Ripley
Rhea Ripley challenged IYO SKY for the WWE Women’s World Championship in the main event of Evolution 2.
Despite a brutal back-and-forth that saw the action spill into the crowd and multiple finishers exchanged, Ripley failed to reclaim gold. Just as she seemed to have the match won, Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase mid-match, turning the contest into a triple threat.
Naomi ultimately pinned SKY to win the title, leaving Rhea Ripley stunned. Ripley’s latest attempt to win the gold has failed, but a major feud with a WWE legend could be on the horizon.
Nikki Bella Wants WWE Feud With Rhea Ripley
Speaking to Busted Open Radio before WWE Evolution, Nikki Bella revealed her dream opponent as part of her comeback, and she named Rhea Ripley. She compared Mami to Paige, referencing the anti-Diva character that once clashed with her during a different era. For Bella, a heel version of herself would fit perfectly against Rhea Ripley’s powerful persona.
“One of my main ones is Rhea Ripley. It’s a similar feel of how Paige and I were. Paige’s character, anti-Diva, goth. What I see with Rhea, it also gives me vibes of how I was with Ronda (Rousey) with Brie (Bella) by my side. I feel like heel Nikki would be so incredible with her.”
“Rhea has layers, but I feel like what my character has would bring even more layers out of her of stuff that we don’t know yet about Mami and everything she is. She is someone that I always look at and not only do I think we can create a lot of magic in the ring, but I think the storytelling can be so different, fresh, and fun,” she said. [H/T Fightful]
Not cool, @ImChelseaGreen 😡@lolavicewwe and Nikki Bella weren’t having any of that 🙅♀️ pic.twitter.com/cVFCoiipfk
— WWE (@WWE) July 14, 2025
Nikki Bella made her in-ring return at this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble but largely remained off television until June. After her WWE comeback on RAW, she was briefly involved in a storyline with Liv Morgan. However, Morgan’s unfortunate shoulder injury put those plans on hold for now.
At Evolution, Bella was part of the 20-woman Battle Royal at WWE Evolution, a match that Stephanie Vaquer ultimately won to earn a world title shot at Clash in Paris.