Nikki Bella said the John Cena references in her SmackDown story started with a crowd chant in Canada.
Paige brought Cena into a backstage confrontation on Friday’s SmackDown, telling Bella she built her career on “hustle, loyalty, and respect” while Bella “slept with it.” The line aired on USA Network and was edited out of the Netflix version.
Speaking on The Nikki & Brie Show, Bella said she knows the references divide people.
“I know people can feel both ways. Believe me, I get it. I’m all for what entertains the crowd and helps make the crowd react. I always love bringing something personal into it,” Bella said. “It all got stirred up from what they were chanting in Canada. If they never chanted that, none of the stuff in the promo would’ve ever happened. It’s just falling into place that way.”
She said the live reaction and the online response were both worth it.
“It is funny to see the reactions online. They are very torn. It’s great. I’ll always feel that way,” Bella said.
Brie Bella said the references keep working.
“For some reason in wrestling, the John zinger still zings. For some reason it still pops us all,” she said.
Nikki Bella faces Paige on Friday’s SmackDown.
