WWE Star Recalls Being Told In-Ring Career Was ‘Done’ After Serious Injury

A WWE star has recalled being told her in-ring career was “done” after suffering a broken neck.

While she may be back on WWE TV regularly competing with the female stars of Monday Night Raw, Nikki Bella’s in-ring career very nearly came to an end 10 years ago.

During the peak of her WWE career in 2015 doctors discovered that Bella had broken her neck, which resulted in the Hall of Famer undergoing surgery in January 2016.

Whilst speaking about her return to WWE in 2025 on Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos, Bella was asked to reflect on her career-threatening injury, with the Raw star recalling how her Rack Attack finisher led to the injury:

“It’s wild. They didn’t realise, they’re like ‘how did she do this? This injury we’ve only seen in a football player’, because I broke it right at the base of my neck.

“Usually for wrestlers it’s in the middle and it was at the base, we realised the Rack Attack was slowly breaking my neck. So when they told me you’re done, you can’t come back, I came back seven months later.”

Bella then discussed how she’s made alterations to her in-ring work since suffering the injury:

“I have to work different, I don’t get to work always how I used to. I have to be more aware, the other person has to be more aware but I’m so grateful I get to do what I love.”

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After three years out of the ring, Bella made a surprise return to WWE during the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Bella most recently competed at WWE Survivor Series 2025, unsuccessfully challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship.

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