Speaking with Sports Illustrated hours before their Women’s Intercontinental Championship match, Nikki Bella called her opponent, Becky Lynch, “one of the greatest superstars ever.”
In the interview, Bella acknowledged that during Lynch’s initial rise in WWE, her potential was often overshadowed by contemporaries like Charlotte Flair and the former Sasha Banks. However, she believes that being held back ultimately fueled Lynch’s drive.
“When some of us are overshadowed and held back, it gives us a certain kind of fire to prove ourselves… It’s almost like you need that story to give you a certain drive and motivation,” Bella explained.
Bella drew a parallel between Lynch’s transformation into “The Man” and her own evolution into the “Fearless Nikki” character, noting how both personas elevated their careers to the next level.
“I didn’t start as Fearless Nikki. She came over time and the minute I became her, that’s what took me to the next level,” Bella said. “Same with The Man. When Becky Lynch finally became The Man, that just took off.”
The title match tonight at Clash in Paris is the culmination of a rivalry that began after Lynch won the championship and started a series of post-match attacks. While the praise for her opponent was notable, other reports suggest there may be genuine tension between the two. WWE superstar Natalya recently stated on “Busted Open Radio” that she believes a “genuine tension” exists, which has made their segments compelling.
The bout is scheduled for tonight at the Paris La Défense Arena, marking the first time the two have faced each other in nearly a decade.