Nikki Bella made her WWE return at the Royal Rumble in February and has since appeared multiple times, yet her sister Brie Bella remains notably absent from the organization. On a recent episode of the Nikki & Bree Show podcast, Brie revealed that her absence is largely due to backstage politics, specifically because her husband works for a competing wrestling company.
Brie explained, "What I’ve come to realize is that my ‘disability’ is that my husband works for a rival promotion. For some people at WWE, that’s uncomfortable." Her remarks shed light on the complex dynamics behind the scenes, where WWE seems more focused on family affiliations than on her own talent. Even if her husband, Danielson, steps away from active wrestling, his influential role in AEW still appears to impact WWE’s decisions regarding Brie.
Although Brie feels frustrated by being sidelined due to circumstances beyond her control, she also shows understanding of WWE’s perspective. After joking about waiting for a call from WWE, she emphasized that her absence isn’t her choice, saying, "Does it bother me sometimes hoping things were different? Absolutely, but it doesn’t make me angry or bitter."
The question remains whether WWE will reconsider and welcome Brie Bella back. While Nikki is actively involved with future matches lined up, Brie is left watching from the sidelines, hoping for another chance to return.
Fan Take: This situation highlights how personal relationships and business rivalries can shape the wrestling industry in unexpected ways. For WWE fans, Brie’s absence is a missed opportunity to see a beloved star back in action, and her potential return could signal a significant shift in the competitive landscape between WWE and AEW.
