Nikki Bella Says She’s Ready to Answer a Chelsea Green Open Challenge

Chelsea Green may be trending for all the wrong reasons ahead of WrestleMania 41, but someone unexpected is keeping an eye on the reigning WWE United States Women’s Champion—and she’s not just watching.

During a recent Fanatics Live Signing, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella revealed she’s ready if Chelsea dares to issue an open challenge. “Chelsea Green,” Nikki said confidently when asked who she’d want to face. “I’m waiting for her to have an open challenge. I might just show up. I keep all my stuff on me, just in case.”

That’s right—Nikki Bella, who hasn’t been seen on WWE television since entering the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble at No. 30, is apparently keeping her gear close and her eyes locked on the U.S. champ.

The update adds fuel to the fire of outrage that’s been brewing online since it was confirmed Chelsea isn’t booked for a match, segment, or even a backstage cameo at this year’s two-night WrestleMania. WWE fans have been lighting up Twitter ever since Green’s name was nowhere to be found on the lineup. One tweet that went viral slammed the move: “How is the United States Women’s Champion not on a two-night WrestleMania?!”

Even Green’s husband, Matt Cardona, weighed in, tweeting, “I’m biased because she’s my hot wife, but how is @ImChelseaGreen not on a 2 night Mania?!”

Chelsea has kept her trademark chaotic energy going, joking about her controversial SmackDown count-out with Zelina Vega by saying she “HIRED [her] LEGAL TEAM” and was “filing an IMMEDIATE injunction.” But fans still feel she deserves more than a punchline heading into WrestleMania weekend.

Now with Nikki Bella potentially circling for a surprise confrontation, things could change in a heartbeat.