Brie Bella’s return to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble was driven by something deeply personal — a combination of competitive fire, family motivation, and a championship opportunity she and Nikki Bella have never been able to claim. Speaking on Live with Kelly and Mark, Brie opened up about what ultimately brought her back after retirement.
“I feel like as a wrestler, you always miss the ring, and seeing Nikki back in it for the last year, I really just got the itch,” Brie said. The family angle hit particularly close to home. “My kids have never seen me wrestle. Every day, my son would be like, ‘You’re not as cool as Dodo. She wrestles.'”
Brie Bella and Nikki Bella Chase Their First Ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 42
Beyond the personal motivation, Brie pointed to the championship opportunity as the driving factor that made the timing feel right. “The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles are here. The division’s hotter than it’s ever been. I’m like, Nikki — we’re like the original tag team. We’ve never been champions. We gotta do this.” The Bellas are set to compete in the fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania 42, challenging The Irresistible Forces alongside Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Nikki Bella’s ankle injury status remains a concern heading into the match, though the Bellas have not officially addressed her availability.