Nikki Bella found a very specific way to respond after Paige got personal with her on SmackDown. Now fans are convinced there was a lot more behind Nikki posting a photo of The New Day than she actually said out loud.
On September 11, Nikki took to Instagram with a post about facing Paige later that night. Instead of posting a photo of herself or her opponent, however, Nikki uploaded a GIF of The New Day and dropped a very interesting reference in the caption.
“All week I had to try hard to get over the things @saraya said to me last Friday on SmackDown. And you know what… this morning I thought to myself IT’S A NEW DAY YES IT IS and that made me feel a lot better! 😎🙃😏🤭😘”
“#smackdown LIVE tonight from Mexico City only on @usanetwork 💋🇲🇽”
Nikki never explained why she chose The New Day for the post, but fans in the comments quickly came up with their own interpretation. Several believed the second slide was a reference to Paige’s past involving Xavier Woods, whose private sexual video with Paige was leaked online years ago without her consent. One fan suddenly caught what they believed Nikki was doing.
“Omg I just realized the shade in the second slide 💀”
That immediately got reactions from other fans, including one who directly mentioned Woods: “Xavier got lucky I wish I was in his position😏” Another fan went much further with the same interpretation, directly bringing The New Day and Woods into the reaction.
“Dang using New Day is crazy work Nikki, might give Paige PTSD, ‘and don’t get rated R like your boy Xavier Woods!’ 😭”
There is no confirmation from Nikki that this was her intention, so the interpretation remains entirely fan speculation. The timing, however, is why people immediately started reading more into the New Day photo and wording.
It comes after Paige made Nikki’s personal life part of their feud on the September 4 SmackDown. During a heated backstage exchange, Paige used John Cena’s famous “Hustle, Loyalty and Respect” catchphrase while taking a sexual shot at how Nikki became successful.
Paige didn’t stop there. She also brought up Nikki’s divorce, telling her that she would end Nikki’s career quicker than her last relationship. Nikki initially responded after SmackDown by promising to settle things when they got to Mexico City.
“Um they sure did!! I’ll end that smack talk in Mexico City! @Saraya will see that it’s MI CASA!! 💋🔥💪🏽 #Smackdown”
A week later, Nikki didn’t directly mention Paige’s leaked video or Xavier Woods at all. She simply posted The New Day and said their catchphrase, and fans did the rest of the connecting for her.
What do you make of Nikki Bella’s New Day post before facing Paige on SmackDown? Did she take the feud too far, or was it fair game after Paige’s comments last week? Let us know in the comments.
