Nikki Bella Claims She Wasn’t Allowed to Train at WWE Performance Center Before RAW Return

Nikki Bella has claimed that she wasn’t allowed to train at the WWE Performance Center before her return on the July 14 episode of WWE RAW.

While speaking on the Nikki and Brie Show, Nikki Bella revealed that she had no preparation for her match on Raw. She explained that typically, wrestlers who haven’t had their match will still train at the Performance Center throughout the week to stay ready.

When she was told she’d be competing, it caught her off guard and she couldn’t believe how last-minute it was. Despite the surprise, she didn’t want to turn down the opportunity and immediately started thinking about how to make it work.

“They usually go if they haven’t had their match. What we know is wrestlers are all at the PC all week training for that one moment, right? When I got hit with that, I was like, ‘Wait, what? Are you sure? How long?’ I was just like, oh my gosh. You know me, I don’t say no to opportunities. I was like, how can I make this work out the best?”

Advertising

Advertising

Bella said there was no time to prepare properly. She tried to get some ring time on Sunday morning, but everything at the Performance Center was already booked. She also asked about getting in the ring early on Monday, but that didn’t happen either because of the two back-to-back pay-per-view events.

“But yeah, no prep. I wanted to try and get in the ring Sunday morning, but it was all taken, all full and no slots. So then I asked about Monday early—it didn’t happen because of having two back-to-back pay-per-views. The ring wasn’t even built until like 1:30.”

Nikki Bella would end up facing off against Chelsea Green in her Raw return match, where she almost performed a move that previously broke her neck. Regardless, Nikki Bella still won the match and is now getting her reps in and that’s all that matters to her in the end.

Were you surprised by Nikki Bella’s performance on RAW? Should WWE have done more to help her prepare? Sound off in the comments.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.