Nikki Bella Reacts to John Cena References in WWE Feud With Paige
- WWE star Nikki Bella has addressed the growing trend of fellow wrestlers using her past relationship with John Cena as storyline ammunition, stating that she fully supports personal...
- Speaking on “The Nikki & Brie Show” alongside her sister Brie Bella, Nikki discussed how the references to her past engagement have been weaponized by her rivals.
- But I think I’m all part, I’m all for what entertains the crowd and helps make the crowd react,
WWE star Nikki Bella has addressed the growing trend of fellow wrestlers using her past relationship with John Cena as storyline ammunition, stating that she fully supports personal elements being brought into feuds to generate audience reactions, according to F4W/WON, The Nikki & Brie Show, ewrestlingnews.com, and pwmania.com.
The ongoing storyline tension reached a new height during the September 4 episode of SmackDown. According to ewrestlingnews.com and pwmania.com, Paige confronted Nikki backstage, utilizing John Cena’s famous motto by telling her that she built her career on “hustle, loyalty and respect” before adding the pointed remark, “You just slept with it.” Nikki’s high-profile relationship with Cena has been referenced by several wrestlers, including Becky Lynch and Ronda Rousey, since Nikki returned to WWE in 2025.
Nikki Bella Welcomes Personal Feuds and Fan Reactions
Speaking on “The Nikki & Brie Show” alongside her sister Brie Bella, Nikki discussed how the references to her past engagement have been weaponized by her rivals. As reported by ewrestlingnews.com and pwmania.com, Nikki explained that she is entirely open to incorporating real-life history into scripts if it successfully entertains the audience and drives engagement.
I know people can feel both ways. Believe me, I get it. But I think I’m all part, I’m all for what entertains the crowd and helps make the crowd react,
Nikki noted that she always enjoys bringing personal history into her rivalries. She credited the live audience in Canada with unintentionally sparking the current angle, explaining that fan chants for Cena laid the groundwork for subsequent promos. According to F4W/WON and ewrestlingnews.com, she pointed out that the online reaction to the segments has been thoroughly divided, but she embraces the polarized debate as a sign that the program is working.
Broadcast Differences and Upcoming SmackDown Match
The integration of John Cena into the current storyline has also revealed differences in how various platforms handle live broadcasts. According to ewrestlingnews.com, the specific remark made by Paige did not make it onto the Netflix version of the SmackDown broadcast after being edited out, though viewers tuning in via the USA Network were able to hear the line live.
Brie Bella also weighed in on the enduring appeal of mentioning Cena on the microphone during their podcast conversation. According to ewrestlingnews.com, Brie remarked, “For some reason in wrestling, the John zinger still zings. For some reason it still pops us all.” Nikki and Paige are scheduled to face each other on an upcoming episode of SmackDown, taking their deeply personal rivalry into the ring as competition intensifies.
