WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella’s return to singles action hit a major snag on the September 8 edition of Monday Night Raw, where she was forced to tap out to Asuka. The match marked the first-ever one-on-one encounter between the two former champions.
The bout was made after weeks of escalating tension from Asuka, who has developed a fiercely protective attitude over her friend, IYO SKY. The Empress of Tomorrow took issue with Nikki speaking to the Women’s Champion backstage, and after interrupting them for a second consecutive week, a fed-up Nikki Bella laid down the challenge.
While both competitors pushed each other in the ring, Nikki’s significant time away proved to be the deciding factor. Asuka ultimately capitalized on the ring rust, locking in a submission to secure the decisive victory.
The Drive for a Final Tag Team Run
This singles appearance is part of a larger comeback plan for Nikki, who has made it clear her ultimate goal is a reunion with her twin sister, Brie Bella. Nikki has stated her current run feels “incomplete” without a chase for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, titles that were introduced just after The Bella Twins’ final match together in 2018. She has also expressed a desire to bring back their heel personas to cause “chaos” one last time.
The push for a reunion has been a consistent theme for Nikki. Just a day before her match on Raw, she fueled speculation on social media about Brie and even Paige potentially showing up to join the mix with the recently returned AJ Lee. This followed interviews in late August where she confirmed she is actively campaigning for Brie’s return, claiming many in the women’s locker room also want her back.
However, the primary obstacle remains Brie’s husband, Bryan Danielson, and his current contract with AEW, a situation Brie herself has previously described as a “roadblock.” While Nikki believes legacies shouldn’t be determined by spouses, she acknowledged the business complexities. Still, she remains optimistic, suggesting that WWE is “becoming more and more open to it” over time.