Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nikki Bella
How Nikki Bella built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Stephanie Nicole Garcia-Colace, known as Nikki Bella or Nikki Garcia, is an American professional wrestler and television personality signed to WWE's Raw brand. She has gained fame as a professional wrestler.
2006: Appearance on Meet My Folks and World Cup Twins
In 2006, Nikki Bella made her first national TV appearance on Fox's "Meet My Folks." Following this, the Garcia twins were hired as the World Cup Twins for Budweiser.
September 15, 2007: In-Ring Debut at FCW
On September 15, 2007, Nicole and her twin Brie, known as The Bella Twins, made their in-ring debut at an FCW house show, defeating Nattie Neidhart and Krissy Vaine with Victoria Crawford as the guest referee.
October 2007: Feud with Neidhart and Crawford
Throughout October 2007, Nikki Bella engaged in a scripted rivalry with Nattie Neidhart and Victoria Crawford in FCW, competing in a series of matches.
December 2007: Managing Derrick Linkin
Starting in December 2007, Nikki Bella managed Derrick Linkin in FCW as part of a storyline.
January 2008: Linkin's Release
In January 2008, the storyline with Derrick Linkin was cut short when he was released from FCW.
April 2008: Neidhart Called Up
In April 2008, Nattie Neidhart was called up to the WWE roster, impacting the ongoing feud in FCW.
August 29, 2008: Brianna Debuts on SmackDown
On August 29, 2008, Brianna debuted on SmackDown as Brie Bella, defeating Victoria and starting a rivalry with Victoria and Natalya.
2008: SmackDown Debut
In 2008, Nikki Bella made her debut for the SmackDown brand, marking a significant step in her WWE career.
February 2009: On-screen relationship with The Colóns and John Morrison & The Miz
In February 2009, The Bella Twins developed an on-screen relationship with The Colóns and John Morrison & The Miz, leading to a rivalry between the teams.
April 15, 2009: Drafted to Raw Brand
On April 15, 2009, The Bella Twins were drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2009 supplemental draft.
June 29, 2009: Traded to ECW Brand
On June 29, 2009, The Bella Twins were both traded to the ECW brand and debuted the following night on The Abraham Washington Show.
January 4, 2010: WWE Divas Championship Tournament
On January 4, 2010, Brie participated in a tournament for the vacant WWE Divas Championship but lost in the first round due to a switch with Nikki.
June 2010: Feud with Jillian Hall
In June 2010, the Bella Twins started a feud with Jillian Hall, where they would switch places to gain an advantage in their matches.
2010: Mentoring on NXT Season 3
In 2010, the Bella Twins took part in the all-female third season of NXT, mentoring Jamie.
January 2011: Heel Turn and Feud with Gail Kim
In January 2011, both Bellas turned into villainous characters for the first time in their careers after discovering Daniel Bryan kissing Gail Kim, leading to attacks and matches against Kim.
March 2012: Friction Between Twins
In March 2012, The Bellas began to show friction after both twins lost to AJ Lee in singles competition, and disagreement over WrestleMania XXVIII teams.
May 1, 2012: Independent Wrestling Show
On May 1, 2012, Nikki and Brie appeared at their first independent wrestling show in Newburgh, New York for Northeast Wrestling.
March 11, 2013: Return to WWE
On March 11, 2013, The Bella Twins returned to WWE in a backstage segment with Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow).
July 2013: Total Divas Premieres
In July 2013, Nikki and Brie became part of the main cast for the reality television show Total Divas.
April 6, 2014: WrestleMania XXX Appearance
On April 6, 2014, Nikki competed at WrestleMania XXX in the 14-Diva "Vickie Guerrero Invitational match" for the Divas Championship, which was won by AJ Lee.
February 22, 2015: Nikki Bella Retains Divas Championship at Fastlane
On February 22, 2015, Nikki Bella successfully defended her Divas Championship against Paige at Fastlane.
April 3, 2016: Nikki Bella Celebrates with Brie at WrestleMania 32
On April 3, 2016, Nikki Bella made a brief appearance at WrestleMania 32, celebrating with Brie Bella after Brie's victory in a 10-Diva tag team match.
August 21, 2016: Nikki Bella's Surprise Return at SummerSlam
On August 21, 2016, Nikki Bella made a surprise return at SummerSlam, replacing Eva Marie and teaming with Natalya and Alexa Bliss to defeat Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Carmella. This appearance initiated a storyline feud with Carmella.
October 5, 2016: Total Bellas Premieres
On October 5, 2016, Nikki and Brie's own spinoff reality television show, Total Bellas, premiered on E!.
November 21, 2016: The Bella Twins Launch YouTube Channel
On November 21, 2016, Nikki and Brie unveiled their new YouTube channel, "The Bella Twins", featuring daily fashion, beauty, travel, fitness, relationship, and health videos.
April 2, 2017: Engagement to John Cena
On April 2, 2017, Nikki Bella got engaged to John Cena after he proposed to her at WrestleMania 33 following their mixed tag-team match.
August 21, 2017: Nikki and Brie Launch Belle Radici Wine
On August 21, 2017, Nikki and Brie launched their own wine label called Belle Radici in collaboration with Hill Family Estates and Gauge Branding.
October 30, 2017: Nikki Bella Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On October 30, 2017, Nikki Bella was eliminated from the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with Artem Chigvintsev.
November 1, 2017: Nikki and Brie Launch Birdiebee
On November 1, 2017, Nikki and Brie launched Birdiebee, a lifestyle intimates and activewear brand focused on empowering women.
January 22, 2018: The Bella Twins Appear at Raw 25th Anniversary
On January 22, 2018, The Bella Twins made an appearance at the 25th Anniversary of Raw.
April 2, 2018: The Bella Twins Awarded YouTube Gold Creator Award
On April 2, 2018, The Bella Twins received the YouTube Gold Creator Award for reaching 1 million subscribers on their channel.
January 28, 2019: Nikki and Brie Launch Nicole + Brizee
On January 28, 2019, Nikki and Brie launched Nicole + Brizee, a body and beauty line.
March 27, 2019: Nikki and Brie Launch The Bellas Podcast
On March 27, 2019, Nikki and Brie launched their own podcast, The Bellas Podcast, with the Endeavour Audio network.
June 20, 2019: Nikki Bella Ends In-Ring Career
On June 20, 2019, Nikki Bella announced the end of her in-ring career due to the discovery of a cyst on her brain.
February 21, 2020: The Bella Twins Named for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020
On February 21, 2020, The Bella Twins were announced as inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
March 2020: Nikki and Brie Release Memoir "Incomparable"
In March 2020, Nikki and Brie released their memoir Incomparable, which became a New York Times Best Seller.
April 11, 2021: Nikki Bella Attacks Bayley at WrestleMania 37
On April 11, 2021, during the second night of WrestleMania 37, Nikki Bella, along with Brie, attacked Bayley, turning face once again.
2021: Nikki and Brie Launch Bonita Bonita Wine and Baby Gear Collection
In 2021, Nikki and Brie launched another wine label called Bonita Bonita Wine, and they launched their own baby gear collection in partnership with Colugo, also becoming investors and creative advisors for Colugo.
2021: The Bellas Podcast relaunched by Stitcher
In 2021, The Bellas Podcast was relaunched after being acquired by Stitcher, a subsidiary of Sirius XM.
January 7, 2022: Nikki Bella Participates in Women's Royal Rumble Match
On January 7, 2022, Nikki Bella participated in the women's Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble on January 29; she entered at #24, eliminating Alicia Fox and Sarah Logan before being eliminated by her sister Brie. This was the final WWE match for both sisters at the time.
February 21, 2022: Nikki Bella Premieres as Judge on America's Got Talent: Extreme
On February 21, 2022, Nikki Bella premiered as a judge on America's Got Talent: Extreme, alongside Simon Cowell and Travis Pastrana.
March 14, 2022: America's Got Talent: Extreme Concluded
On March 14, 2022, Nikki Bella concluded her run as judge on America's Got Talent: Extreme, alongside Simon Cowell and Travis Pastrana.
October 19, 2022: Nikki Joins Barmageddon as Host
On October 19, 2022, Nikki joined Blake Shelton's bar-inspired game show Barmageddon, serving as the host.
March 2, 2023: Barmageddon Renewed for Second Season
On March 2, 2023, Barmageddon, hosted by Nikki, was renewed for a second season.
March 14, 2023: Nikki and Brie Announce Departure from WWE
On March 14, 2023, Nikki and Brie announced on their podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, that they had mutually agreed with WWE to not renew their contracts and would be known as The Garcia Twins.
November 2023: Nikki and Brie Host Twin Love
In November 2023, Nikki and Brie hosted the Amazon-produced dating game show, Twin Love.
2023: Departure from WWE and Name Change
After her contract with WWE expired in 2023, Nikki Bella and Brie retired the "Bella" surname and returned to their legal maiden name of "Garcia" professionally, reintroducing themselves as The Garcia Twins.
June 5, 2024: Nikki Competes on The Traitors Season 3
On June 5, 2024, Nikki was named as one of the competitors on the third season of The Traitors, a reality competition series on Peacock; she was banished in the fifth episode, placing sixteenth overall.
February 1, 2025: Nikki Bella Returns to WWE at Royal Rumble 2025
On February 1, 2025, Nikki Bella made a surprise return to WWE as the final entrant in the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble match, eliminating Bayley before being eliminated by Nia Jax.
2025: Return to WWE with Bella Name
In 2025, Nikki reverted to the Bella name upon returning to WWE at that year's Royal Rumble event.
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