Nikki Bella Speculates On Why WWE Hasn’t Asked Her To Make A Retirement Speech

In the past, WWE Superstars have been given a platform to say goodbye to fans when retiring—especially if they are tragically forced into it. Paige, Edge, and Daniel Bryan were all afforded an in-ring opportunity to say farewell. Nikki Bella, however, has not been given that opportunity.

On an episode of the twins’ podcast, The Bellas Podcast, Nikki spoke openly about why she believes she hasn’t been invited by WWE to make a formal retirement speech.

“I feel like they haven’t had me come in and do a retirement speech because—guys, it’s crazy. Brie and I have become hated by the ‘Smart Marks’,” Nikki explained.

“I always looked at it like, well, we did a really good job as heels for so long. But it was like the more successful we would get with the reality shows, and the men that we were dating and married to, and all that, we became more and more hated. For people to go against us in the ring and on the mic, it’s very easy to create promos with Brie and I, or about us. And I look at Paige, and Bryan, and Edge, and the list goes on of people who got to have that [retirement speech] moment.”

Becoming emotional, Nikki added:

“It’s going to make me cry because, you know, I love wrestling. I gave thirteen years of my life. I beat my body up. I mean, it was my world. It’s so sad sometimes when I see the lack of respect or, like, not the appreciation. You know how badly I wish I could go out there and wrestle again, and do it for the fans, and do it for us? I mean, I’ve risked my life. And you know what? I’m a human being; sometimes we like to be acknowledged or appreciated,” she stated.

“[…] the fact that I gave so much and I will never get to stand in that ring and have the ‘thank you, Nikki’ chant, or even give my last, final words—I found out the Thursday before WrestleMania and I’m done. That’s it…I pray one day, Brie, we will be appreciated by that crowd.”

Brie then talked about the possibility of her coming back. She teased that she would love to tag with her husband, Daniel Bryan. The potential rivals in this proposed feud? Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.