Tue Nov 04 01:40:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nikki Bella’s WWE Return Marred by Botches, Sparks Criticism

NEW YORK, NY – November 2, 2025 – WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella’s recent return to the ring has been met with mixed reactions, highlighted by a controversial Monday Night Raw match against rising star Roxanne Perez. While Bella’s stated goal has been to elevate newer talent, her performance in the match has drawn criticism from fans and wrestling analysts alike.

The match against Perez saw several questionable moments, including a pin attempt where Perez used the ropes for leverage, quickly spotted by the referee. Perez ultimately secured the win with her finisher, “Pop Rox.” However, the victory was followed by a post-match beatdown of Bella, which was then broken up by the surprise appearence of Stephane Vaquer, hinting at a future tag team match.

Veteran wrestler Stevie Richards, known for his no-holds-barred analysis, released a scathing review of the match on his YouTube channel. While he initially lauded it as potentially “the best match I’ve ever seen Nikki Bella work,” he quickly delved into the issues. Richards specifically called out a particularly hard slap that left Perez visibly shaken, even appearing to cause the referee to signal a possible injury. He also criticized a stiff dropkick that connected squarely with Perez’s face, despite the young wrestler’s attempt to block.

“This Roxanne Perez girl has ups and downs… she’s had some spots that have been pretty rough on her,” Richards commented, suggesting Bella may not have been adequately prepared for the match after her time away from the ring. Fan comments on the video echoed this sentiment, with some questioning Bella’s presence on the roster and her Hall of Fame status.

This isn’t the first time Bella’s return has sparked criticism. Her surprise appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble earlier this year, as well as a championship match against Becky Lynch at Clash in Paris, also drew negative attention due to perceived missteps and in-ring awkwardness.

Bella addressed the concerns on the recent Nikki and Brie podcast, stating that she is working to improve her in-ring performance and is seeking feedback from her sister, Brie Bella Danielson, and her brother-in-law, Bryan Danielson.

Despite the controversy, Nikki Bella’s return continues to generate buzz, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for the Hall of Famer in WWE.

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