Nikki Bella believes the live crowd made its feelings clear about seeing her challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship, while claiming she was the most searched performer coming out of last week’s SmackDown.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Nikki and Brie Show, Bella reflected on her segment with WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. The exchange followed comments Green made about Bella during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live the previous night.
Bella said she deliberately incorporated Green’s remarks into what she said on SmackDown. “Chelsea was on Watch What Happens Live, and I got brought up when she was on the show. So when I got to do that Friday night, I just wanted to incorporate what she said about me,” Bella said. “I loved it, because some people on Twitter got it, some didn’t, of course. But some people were like, ‘Oh s**, she just literally threw back exactly what she said about Nikki the night before.’”*
What stood out most to Bella was the reaction from the Corpus Christi crowd, which she interpreted as support for her pursuing Green’s championship. “But that Corpus Christi crowd was so amazing. They really want me to have the title, Brie,” Bella said. “The fans cheered super loud. They were excited about it, because you know about live reactions. That’s what we go by.”
Bella also claimed that online interest surrounding the segment made her the most searched performer from that night’s SmackDown. “I was like the most searched person. It’s always good and bad, of course. But even over the guys, I was number one from Friday Night SmackDown,” Bella said.
Despite paying attention to the level of interest, Bella said she avoids reading much of the reaction itself. “I don’t even look, because I don’t put that in my energy field,” Bella said. “I’m sure there was a ton of like, oh my gosh, don’t tell me, 2026 Nikki Bella is going for the title. That’s like always. It’s like, actually, you’re talking about it, so yeah, I am. You’re welcome.”
Bella believes some of the negativity directed toward her online is exaggerated to generate engagement. “You know how they exaggerate their feelings, because they feel like they get five stars if they bash me,” Bella said. “A girl did a video about it, and I loved it, just about the forced hate against me, which we always talk about. But I don’t care. Keep talking.”
When Brie encouraged listeners to continue watching SmackDown, Nikki had a message of her own for those discussing her online. “Keep talking about me, because I’m loving these numbers and it helps,” Bella said.
Bella also credited the Bella Army for continuing to support her, noting that she had seen a claim online describing it as the largest female fanbase in professional wrestling worldwide, although she wasn’t sure where that claim originated.
Green currently holds the WWE Women’s Championship after defeating Nia Jax on the September 11 episode of SmackDown in Mexico City for her first title defense. WWE also removed the interim designation from the championship that night.
Bella and Green’s history predates their latest confrontation. Bella defeated Green in a singles match on Raw in July, while Green has also publicly spoken about enjoying their rivalry.
Bella has recently been involved with Jax in a series of comedy segments and social media videos, something she said the two have enjoyed putting together. “I had so much fun with Nia. We traveled together and had a lot of fun with her,” Bella said. “We’re like, we’re just gonna start to do Total Divas, or Total Divas era Bellas, like you and me fights. She goes, we’re just gonna start to reenact them every week.”
Bella teased that they already have ideas for another video but stopped short of revealing what’s planned. “We already have a lot of fun, but I’m not gonna tell you what we have kind of planned for the next one,” Bella said. “Nia is just so funny, and she’s so good at it.”
Brie, who was impersonated by Jax in one of the videos, admitted she initially didn’t realize Jax was supposed to be playing her. “It was funny because when I first heard it, I’m like, whose voice is that? And then I was like, oh my gosh, is that me?” Brie said.
Nikki also praised Lil Yachty for his involvement in one of the videos, saying he completed his part in a single take.
The sisters eventually joked about launching a petition aimed at Triple H to make Nikki champion, although Nikki acknowledged that ultimately she has to earn the opportunity herself. “But also, I am working really hard,” Nikki said.
