Nikki Bella Explains Why It Was Tough Getting Back Into Character for Royal Rumble Return

Mar. 15, 2025

Nikki Garcia; Nikki Bella.Photo:Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty; Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty; Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

Nikki Garciaknows it’s been a while since fans got to see Nikki Bella. She also says getting back into character wasn’t seamless.On the Thursday, Feb. 6 episode ofThe Nikki & Brie Show, theTotal Bellasstar, 41, explained what it was like returning to the ring for the first time in three years. Garcia made her WWE comeback during the 2025 Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 1.“Let’s just, let’s talk about being Nikki Bella again,” she said. “I mean, you know what’s so funny about the Rumbles? Because this is my third one.”Nikki Bella’s entrance at 2025 Royal Rumble.Georgiana Dallas/WWE via GettyThe pro wrestler explained that the Royal Rumbles “go so fast and you only have a moment to get back into character.”The event itself has been a WWE staple since 1988. In 2019, Garcia announced plans toretire from wrestling. Garcia and her sister Brie Garcia officially left the WWE tofocus on their podcast and motherhood.“And for a lot of us that come back on returning, it’s like sometimes you haven’t been who you are in that WWE ring for years and years,” Garcia said.According to the athlete, it can be tough deciding how to re-enter the ring and re-introduce yourself to the crowd. The decision can leave some wondering, “Who am I?”“It almost feels hard to get into that character, like, the character that you want. And so it it’s always like go out and be yourself, but you really wanna deliver to the fans something special,” she continued.Nikki Garcia, WWE Monday Night RAW L.A. premiere.Chad Salvador/Variety via GettyDespite having doubts, Garcia called the past three weeks “amazing.”“I couldn’t believe how much my body remembered, but how much I was loving it, how I didn’t need to take Tylenol every day,” she said. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ I’m really just adapting to this quick, and it was just really making me excited for this return because I do know there’s a lot of rumors on the internet. Is this a one off or is she here to stay?”She advised WWE fans that they may want to “keep tuning in because you will see another Fearless Nikki appearance. Sooner than later, that is for sure.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Garcia added that in the meantime, she’s continuing to train and said her Royal Rumble’s return made her feel “so empowered and alive in certain ways.”The WWE Hall of Famer also said “the most important thing that I’ve been getting back that I realized I’ve lost for so many years” is “definitely my confidence.”

Nikki Garciaknows it’s been a while since fans got to see Nikki Bella. She also says getting back into character wasn’t seamless.

On the Thursday, Feb. 6 episode ofThe Nikki & Brie Show, theTotal Bellasstar, 41, explained what it was like returning to the ring for the first time in three years. Garcia made her WWE comeback during the 2025 Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 1.

“Let’s just, let’s talk about being Nikki Bella again,” she said. “I mean, you know what’s so funny about the Rumbles? Because this is my third one.”

Nikki Bella’s entrance at 2025 Royal Rumble.Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

The pro wrestler explained that the Royal Rumbles “go so fast and you only have a moment to get back into character.”

The event itself has been a WWE staple since 1988. In 2019, Garcia announced plans toretire from wrestling. Garcia and her sister Brie Garcia officially left the WWE tofocus on their podcast and motherhood.

“And for a lot of us that come back on returning, it’s like sometimes you haven’t been who you are in that WWE ring for years and years,” Garcia said.

According to the athlete, it can be tough deciding how to re-enter the ring and re-introduce yourself to the crowd. The decision can leave some wondering, “Who am I?”

“It almost feels hard to get into that character, like, the character that you want. And so it it’s always like go out and be yourself, but you really wanna deliver to the fans something special,” she continued.

Nikki Garcia, WWE Monday Night RAW L.A. premiere.Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty

Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty

Despite having doubts, Garcia called the past three weeks “amazing.”

“I couldn’t believe how much my body remembered, but how much I was loving it, how I didn’t need to take Tylenol every day,” she said. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ I’m really just adapting to this quick, and it was just really making me excited for this return because I do know there’s a lot of rumors on the internet. Is this a one off or is she here to stay?”

She advised WWE fans that they may want to “keep tuning in because you will see another Fearless Nikki appearance. Sooner than later, that is for sure.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Garcia added that in the meantime, she’s continuing to train and said her Royal Rumble’s return made her feel “so empowered and alive in certain ways.”

The WWE Hall of Famer also said “the most important thing that I’ve been getting back that I realized I’ve lost for so many years” is “definitely my confidence.”

source: people.com