Nikki Bella Planning Character Change for WWE Return After Ankle Injury

Nikki Bella already knows exactly how she wants her WWE comeback to look once she returns from injury— and it’s not as a babyface again.

After being forced out of her scheduled Women’s Tag Team Title match due to a serious ankle injury, Nikki has now made it clear that her comeback won’t just be about returning — it’s about finishing her career on her own terms.

Speaking on The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki revealed that she’s already thinking ahead to her final run — and she wants a complete change in direction when it comes to her character, as she wants to be a heel.

“I just want to do my last run as a heel. I don’t wanna be a babyface—I don’t like being a babyface. It’s very hard. I want character work, and I wanna be a heel.”

This comes after she opened up about how much missing WrestleMania 42 affected her, especially given how close she believes she is to retirement. Nikki had been scheduled to team with Brie Bella in a Women’s Tag Team Title match before the injury forced her out, leading to Brie teaming with the returning Paige instead. While reflecting on the moment, Nikki explained that WrestleMania 42 may have been her last chance to compete on that stage in the United States.

“I don’t think a WrestleMania moment for me is going to come around. I get that I’ll probably have my last WrestleMania next year in Saudi maybe, but other than that, that will be it for me. So this would have been my last WrestleMania moment to share with family members and share with people here and, you know, really feel something.”

Right now, Nikki is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks after tearing, spraining, and fracturing her ankle. Her focus is on recovery — but mentally, she’s already locked in on what comes next.

So, instead of rushing back just to compete, Nikki is looking ahead to doing things on her terms — with a clear vision for her final chapter. If that plan sticks, her eventual return won’t just be about recovery — it’ll be about reinvention.

Do you want to see Nikki Bella back as a heel again once she returns from her injury? Drop your thoughts below.

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