Wrestler at Odds with Nicky and Brie Bella: A Rivalry Unfolds

The Bella Twins, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, have significantly elevated women’s wrestling by capturing mainstream attention since their entry into Florida Championship Wrestling in 2007. Following a brief hiatus from WWE, Brie and Nikki Garcia have remained at the forefront of their careers.

Both women are former WWE Diva Champions, with Nikki holding the record for the longest title reign at 301 days before the belt was retired. Their reality TV series “Total Divas,” which premiered in July 2013, ran for nine seasons and spawned a spin-off called “Total Bellas.” These shows showcased their lives in the wrestling arena and beyond, including their relationships—Brie with former AEW champion Brian Danielson (formerly Daniel Bryan in WWE) and Nikki with her ex-fiancé John Cena.

However, the rise of the Bella Twins wasn’t without controversy. They have had their share of conflicts with other divas, some of whom resent their perceived favoritism, particularly due to their relationships with prominent WWE wrestlers. While the twins have received accolades, not all wrestlers share the same admiration for them.

Former WWE star Eva Marie is often criticized for her in-ring skills. She joined WWE’s main roster in 2013 as the manager for the Bella Twins after only a few weeks of training. Although the Twins were the main focus on “Total Divas,” Eva felt overshadowed and believed she didn’t receive the same treatment as they did.

Nikki and Brie were reportedly frustrated by what they saw as Eva’s lack of dedication to training, especially as she received personalized training while other women were not afforded the same luxury. In a 2015 interview, Brie expressed her displeasure with Eva’s commitment and mentioned that some women in WWE were making sacrifices that Eva was not.

Maryse, a former WWE Diva and wife of Mike “Miz” Mizanin, had conflicts with the Bella Twins after a failed business venture. Following Maryse’s release from WWE in 2011 and the Bellas’ exit in 2012, they had a fallout that has been referenced on “Total Divas.” Brie indicated that Maryse felt Brie had blocked her from opportunities, which strained their friendship.

In a 2016 episode of “Total Divas,” Maryse recalled that she had turned down an offer from WWE because she felt betrayed by the Bellas, stating that she hadn’t heard from them in years. Ultimately, this friendship dissolved, leading Maryse to criticize Brie for how things ended.

Maria Kanellis, another former WWE diva, felt that the Bella Twins thwarted her career opportunities. In a 2013 interview, she claimed that WWE had approached her for a return around WrestleMania 29 but that the Bellas made sure it didn’t materialize. Her issues with the Twins reportedly stemmed from her friendship with Nikki’s ex-boyfriend, Dolph Ziggler.

Kanellis spoke about how their relationship soured quickly after a night out, with Nikki confronting her about Ziggler. In a deleted tweet, she stated that her contract had indeed been blocked and expressed her frustration over others meddling in her career while not holding a grudge personally. Despite a subsequent attempt at reconciliation, Kanellis ultimately felt there was nothing left to discuss.

Summer Rae, whose real name is Daniel Moynett, had a well-publicized feud with Brie Bella, as documented in “Total Divas.” Rae was accused of making inappropriate remarks about Brie’s husband. In January 2023, during an episode of “The Bellas Podcast,” Brie recounted calling Rae out over these comments while waiting for her husband.

The tension escalated to the point where Brie stated Rae was not welcome at her wedding. Interestingly, despite the past altercations, Brie mentioned that they have since reconciled and are on friendly terms.

A.J. Lee was known for her rivalry with the Bellas as “Total Divas” gained traction, especially after Nikki captured the Diva Championship title that A.J. previously held. Lee frequently criticized the Twins, suggesting that their success did not stem from talent but rather from their relationships within WWE.

This tension came to a head backstage, with Brie confronted Lee over her critical remarks. Despite their bickering, Nikki maintained a respectful public demeanor about their interactions, stating she enjoyed working with Lee and considered their exchanges part of a greater storyline.