Nikki Bella has responded to fans who were critical of her referring to WWE NXT as the “minor leagues” on the July 24 episode of SmackDown.
After breaking her ankle three weeks before WWE WrestleMania 42, Nikki Bella made her big surprise comeback during this past Friday’s episode of SmackDown in Oakland, California.
Coming to the aid of her sister Brie Bella and Paige, who were being attacked by all three members of Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid), Nikki sprinted down the ramp and evened the odds before laying out a challenge to Jayne, Henley and Reid for a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam 2026.
Whilst on the microphone however, Nikki remarked that Fatal Influence had “snuck up from the minor leagues” in reference to WWE NXT, a line that has seemingly seen Nikki catch some flack from a section of fans online.
Speaking on The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki explained why she feels fans “missed the point big time” with what she said:
“Do you understand how many people can’t make the minor leagues? Like every pro division, before you get to the pros has the minors. Every league. By the way there’s a lot of people who can’t even make the minors. Also in our league, do you know how many people try out for NXT and can’t make it?
“That (line) was hung onto and what’s crazy about that is, I’m thinking like you’re missing the point big time. The heel team… That was their thing when they came in. They sneaked up on everyone, so it was to give them the heat back. But anyways, sometimes you’re just too smart for people.”
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Fatal Influence were called up to SmackDown from WWE NXT on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, with the trio spending the bulk of their time feuding with Brie Bella and Paige.
Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley defeated Brie and Paige for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at the July 18 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, with Jacy Jayne playing a big role in the finish of the bout – something Paige called WWE official Jessika Carr out for on social media after the fact.
It was confirmed today that the six-woman tag team match between The Bella Twins, Paige and Fatal Influence will take place on WWE SummerSlam Saturday, a night that also features CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar.
To find out full details regarding the match cards for WWE SummerSlam Saturday and Sunday, follow this link here.
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