A Hall of Famer’s Comeback: More Than Nostalgia
Nikki Bella, the pioneer of women’s wrestling who is also synonymous with breaking the door in wrestling, is not just coming back to WWE. She will work full-time in 2025, and she will not leave a mark in history without trying to prove everything to herself and the world that women wrestlers have the ability to become anything they want to be. It is not a farewell tour to the longest-reigning Divas Champion and the WWE Hall of Famer. It is an assertion: Bella is not coming back to see her past, but to show that she is on top today.
Throwing Down the Gauntlet
Bella wasted no time showing her seriousness. Her return began with a high-profile showdown at Clash in Paris, where she challenged Becky Lynch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Though she fell short in that grueling contest, the message was clear: Bella wasn’t seeking easy victories or part-time prestige.
Instead, she immediately set her sights on another monumental test, one nearly a decade in the making.
A Long-Awaited Clash with Asuka
Bella did not long prove to be a mocker. She returned with a high-profile face-off at Clash in Paris, where she contested with Becky Lynch in the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship. She lost that hard-fought struggle, but the point was made: Bella wasn’t out to find easy wins or part-time accolades. Instead, she instantly turned to another grand challenge, one nearly ten years old.
Preparation Behind the Curtain
Bella’s preparation for the match offered fans a candid look at her dedication and her struggles.
“I was excited because Asuka is obviously one of the best wrestlers in the world,” Bella admitted. “We were the final two in the first Women’s Royal Rumble, but we had never actually had a match. I thought, wow this is years in the making.”
With little notice, learning about the bout just days before, Bella spent her Sunday traveling to Milwaukee while watching every Asuka match she could find, meticulously studying her opponent’s style.
Yet, the timing created challenges. Fresh off a Paris trip, Bella was mid “carb week” and indulging in desserts, not expecting to compete so soon.
“At our age, it’s not quick to lean out,” she confessed. “I realized I can’t do carb weeks or have three cheat days in a row during this comeback.”
Her honesty about balancing motherhood, last-minute travel, diet adjustments, and ring preparation added depth to her story, showcasing both the sacrifices and resilience of a returning athlete.
The RAW Showdown: Grit Meets The Empress
Bella gave birth with her usual vigor when the bell sounded. The competition demonstrated both her experienced grit and technical genius. The chemistry was unquestionable, and the fight lived up to the hype as a battle of eras. After all, Bella was compelled by Asuka to accept the feared Asuka Lock, which serves to remind her of how much of an uphill climb she will face. The defeat did not significantly weaken the message that Bella sent out, that she can still hold her own against the very best.
Building a Modern Legacy
The comeback of Nikki Bella does not concern the reliance on the glorious past. She has set herself to create a new chapter that will be based on resilience, risk-taking, and authenticity by facing the biggest and best opponents, such as Becky Lynch and Asuka, immediately.
The story is made up of every failure. No secrets of her preparation issues, her personal sacrifices only make her closer to her fans, and she not only appears and feels like a legend, but also like herself, who has to fight her transformation process. It is not so much nostalgia for sealing a present legacy that helps show the next generation what determination looks like when a Hall of Famer has a point to make.
Conclusion
Nikki Bella’s 2025 comeback isn’t just compelling; it’s transformative. With every match, she’s proving that her story is far from finished.
Win or lose, Bella’s return highlights the essence of professional wrestling grit, heart, and the pursuit of greatness. And in doing so, she’s reminding the world why she remains one of the most influential figures in the history of women’s wrestling.
