Surprise at SummerSlam!
Nikki Bella made her long-awaited return to the WWE on Sunday in Brooklyn, nearly one year after she suffered a severe neck injury that required surgery.
CALL IT A COMEBACK! Nikki @BellaTwins is set for action at #SummerSlam! #YouCanLookButYouCantTouch pic.twitter.com/hAysrk4m5s
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2016
With @NatalieEvaMarie on a British Isles vacation, Nikki @BellaTwins makes a surprise return to @SummerSlam! https://t.co/OCbZuH3syX
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2016
In her time away, her sister, Brie, and brother-in-law, Daniel Bryan, both retired from wrestling in WWE, and her boyfriend, John Cena, also spent several months away nursing an injury.
Last September, the former women’s champion lost her belt to Charlotte, who held it until last month when Sasha Banks claimed the title on “Monday Night RAW.” But Charlotte reclaimed her title earlier in the evening Sunday, defeating Banks in a rematch.
Bella no longer can use her trademark finisher, The Rack Attack, so she showcased a modified version of it Sunday before pinning Carmella to win a six-woman tag match. She also showed off some other moves.
With the #SnapSuplex, Nikki @BellaTwins is OFFICIALLY back in action! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/tYxyWIm3u0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 22, 2016
What a moment as Nikki @BellaTwins pins @CarmellaWWE to seal the deal for her team! #SummerSlam #StayFearless pic.twitter.com/VX7JkpWPuj
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2016
Congratulations to Nikki @BellaTwins @NatbyNature and @AlexaBliss_WWE on the #SummerSlam victory! pic.twitter.com/GGPSK93xSb
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2016
Nikki is one of the best women’s wrestlers WWE has ever seen, so it’s certainly a welcome return to the squared circle.
UPDATE (12:22 a.m. ET): Nikki will be joining “Smackdown Live.” She talked about the night and joining Smackdown after her match.
EXCLUSIVE: Nikki @BellaTwins weighs in on her @WWE return and OFFICIALLY joining #SDLive! #SummerSlam https://t.co/gheEHgio6M
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SummerSlam
