The wrestling world buzzed when Nikki Bella made her surprise return to Monday Night Raw on June 9th, immediately sparking fireworks with Liv Morgan. After months away from WWE programming since her Royal Rumble appearance, the former Divas Champion has finally opened up about what drove her back to the squared circle – and it’s not what fans might expect.
A Different Kind of Motivation Fuels WWE Comeback
In a revealing interview with Sports Illustrated, Nikki Bella pulled back the curtain on her mindset heading into this latest WWE chapter. The veteran performer admits her relationship with professional wrestling has fundamentally shifted since her earlier runs with the company.
Gone are the days when external validation drove her in-ring performances. This time around, Bella’s motivation comes from a much more personal place – one that could make her more dangerous than ever.
“You know, I just feel like right now I’m in this new era of my life. Before, when I’d be in that ring, I felt like I had to prove something to everyone. And now, I’m in this era of proving something to myself. And it’s the perfect time to come back and do that.”
From External Pressure to Internal Drive
This shift in perspective represents a significant evolution for the former longest-reigning Divas Champion. Throughout her previous WWE tenure, Bella often faced criticism and skepticism from certain segments of the wrestling community. The pressure to win over doubters clearly weighed on her performances.
Now approaching her return with a self-focused mentality, Bella appears liberated from those external expectations. This psychological change could translate into more authentic and compelling storytelling inside the ring.
Extended Run Confirmed for WWE Programming
Wrestling fans hoping for more than a nostalgic one-off appearance can breathe easy. Bella has already confirmed that her return represents a sustained commitment to WWE programming rather than a brief cameo.
This news comes as a relief to longtime supporters who remember her previous sporadic appearances that left storylines feeling incomplete. With Bella committing to an extended run, creative teams can develop more meaningful feuds and character arcs.
Liv Morgan Feud Sets Stage for Bigger Things
The immediate confrontation with Liv Morgan on Raw suggests WWE has significant plans for Bella’s return storyline. Morgan, currently one of the company’s most prominently featured women’s division stars, provides an ideal opponent to showcase Bella’s evolved in-ring persona.
Their clash also opens possibilities for larger storylines involving other women’s division talents. Speculation continues building around potential tag team scenarios, particularly involving Bella’s sister Brie and Morgan’s frequent partner Raquel Rodriguez.
Evolution 2 Speculation Intensifies
Industry observers are already connecting dots between Bella’s return and rumored plans for Evolution 2, WWE’s potential follow-up to their groundbreaking all-women’s pay-per-view event. The timing and nature of current storylines suggest major women’s division matches could be taking shape.
A potential Bella Twins reunion to face Morgan and Rodriguez would certainly fit the marquee-level booking that such an event would require. These dream match scenarios continue generating excitement among the WWE Universe.
Nikki Bella’s return represents more than just another veteran comeback story – it’s a wrestler rediscovering her passion on her own terms. With internal motivation replacing external pressure and an extended commitment confirmed, this could be the most authentic and compelling chapter of her WWE career yet. Will this new mindset finally silence her critics and cement her legacy, or will the pressure of proving something to herself create even higher stakes than before?
