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, best known as Nikki Bella or Nikki Garcia, is an American TV personality and professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. She is the host of the TV show, Barmageddon.
2006: Early Television and Promotional Work
In 2006, Nikki Bella made her first national TV appearance on the Fox reality show Meet My Folks. Also in 2006, the Garcia twins were hired to be the World Cup Twins for Budweiser and participated in the 2006 WWE Diva Search, though they did not make the cut.
September 15, 2007: In-Ring Debut
On September 15, 2007, at an FCW house show, Nicole and her twin Brie, called The Bella Twins, made their in-ring debut by defeating Nattie Neidhart and Krissy Vaine with Victoria Crawford as the special guest referee.
October 2007: Rivalry with Neidhart and Crawford
Throughout October 2007, Nikki Bella started a scripted rivalry with Nattie Neidhart and Victoria Crawford, competing in a series of matches against them in FCW.
December 2007: Managing Derrick Linkin
Starting in December 2007, Nikki Bella managed Derrick Linkin in FCW, though the storyline was cut short when Linkin was released in January 2008.
January 2008: Linkin's Release
In January 2008, the storyline involving Nikki Bella managing Derrick Linkin was cut short due to Linkin's release from FCW.
April 2008: Neidhart's Call-Up
In April 2008, Nattie Neidhart was called up to the WWE roster, leading to Milena Roucka taking her place in the Bella Twins' feud.
August 29, 2008: Brie Bella's SmackDown Debut
On August 29, 2008, Brianna debuted on SmackDown as Brie Bella, defeating Victoria and beginning a rivalry with Victoria and Natalya.
2008: SmackDown Debut
In 2008, Nikki Bella made her debut for the SmackDown brand. It was a significant step in her wrestling career.
February 2009: On-Screen Relationship with The Colóns and Rivalry with The Miz and Morrison
In February 2009, The Bella Twins developed an on-screen relationship with The Colóns (Carlito and Primo), and the storyline expanded to include John Morrison and The Miz, who flirted with the Bellas, leading to a rivalry between the teams for their affection.
April 15, 2009: Drafted to Raw
On April 15, 2009, The Bella Twins were both drafted to the Raw brand as part of the 2009 supplemental draft, marking a shift in their WWE careers.
June 29, 2009: Trade to ECW Brand
On June 29, 2009, Nikki Bella and her sister Brie were both traded to the ECW brand, marking another change in their WWE journey.
January 4, 2010: WWE Divas Championship Tournament
On January 4, 2010, Brie participated in a tournament for the vacant WWE Divas Championship, but lost to Maryse in the first round, when a switch resulted in Nikki being pinned.
June 2010: Feud with Jillian Hall
In June 2010, Nikki Bella and her sister Brie developed a feud with Jillian Hall, with matches and segments involving the twins as special guest referees.
2010: Mentoring Jamie on NXT
In 2010, the Bella Twins took part in the all-female third season of NXT, mentoring Jamie. Jamie was the first rookie Diva eliminated on the October 5 episode of NXT.
January 2011: Turning Villainous and Attacking Gail Kim
In January 2011, both Bella Twins turned into villainous characters for the first time in their careers, when they discovered Daniel Bryan kissing Gail Kim backstage and assaulted her.
March 2012: Friction Between the Bellas
In March 2012, Nikki Bella and Brie began to show friction for the second time since joining WWE, after both twins lost to AJ Lee in singles competition. This friction was further fueled by their differing support for Team Johnny and Team Teddy at WrestleMania XXVIII.
May 1, 2012: Independent Wrestling Show Appearance
On May 1, 2012, Nikki Bella and Brie appeared at their first independent wrestling show in Newburgh, New York for the promotion Northeast Wrestling, marking a step outside of WWE.
March 11, 2013: WWE Return
On March 11, 2013, The Bella Twins returned to WWE in a backstage segment with Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow), signaling their re-entry into the company.
July 2013: Part of the main cast for Total Divas
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 Bella competed at WrestleMania XXX in the 14-Diva "Vickie Guerrero Invitational match" for the Divas Championship, which was won by the defending champion AJ Lee.
February 22, 2015: Nikki retains Divas Championship against Paige at Fastlane
On February 22, 2015, Nikki Bella retained her Divas Championship against Paige at Fastlane.
2015: Turned Villainous
In 2015, Nikki and Brie turned villainous for the first time since their previous heel run.
April 3, 2016: Brief appearance at WrestleMania 32
On April 3, 2016, Nikki Bella made a brief appearance at the WrestleMania 32 event, celebrating with Brie after Brie's victory in a 10-Diva tag team match.
August 21, 2016: Surprise return at SummerSlam
On August 21, 2016, Nikki Bella made a surprise return as a villain at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, replacing Eva Marie and teaming with Natalya and Alexa Bliss to defeat Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Carmella. This sparked a storyline feud between Bella and Carmella.
October 5, 2016: Premiere of Total Bellas
On October 5, 2016, Total Bellas, a spinoff show starring Nikki and Brie, premiered on E!.
November 21, 2016: Launch of The Bella Twins 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, along with daily video blogs.
February 21, 2017: Falls Count Anywhere Match on SmackDown
On the February 21, 2017 episode of SmackDown, Natalya defeated Nikki Bella in a falls count anywhere match after Maryse attacked Bella with a lead pipe.
April 2, 2017: Engagement to John Cena at WrestleMania 33
On April 2, 2017, Nikki became engaged to John Cena when he proposed to her after their mixed tag-team match at WrestleMania 33.
August 21, 2017: Launch of Belle Radici wine label
On August 21, 2017, Nikki and Brie launched their own wine label called Belle Radici in collaboration with Hill Family Estates and Gauge Branding.
November 1, 2017: Launch of Birdiebee lifestyle brand
On November 1, 2017, Nikki and Brie launched Birdiebee, a lifestyle intimates and activewear brand aimed at empowering and educating women through mirroring the twins' passion for life, strength, women's health and wellness, and fun.
January 22, 2018: Appearance on Raw 25th Anniversary
On January 22, 2018, The Bella Twins appeared at the 25th Anniversary of Raw.
April 2, 2018: Awarded YouTube Gold Creator Award
On April 2, 2018, The Bella Twins revealed that they were awarded the YouTube Gold Creator Award for reaching 1 million subscribers for their channel.
January 28, 2019: Launch of Nicole + Brizee beauty line
On January 28, 2019, Nikki and Brie launched Nicole + Brizee, a body and beauty line.
March 27, 2019: Launch of 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: Retirement from in-ring career
On June 20, 2019, Nikki Bella ended her in-ring career after a cyst had been found on her brain.
February 21, 2020: Named for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020
On the February 21, 2020, episode of SmackDown, The Bella Twins were announced as inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
March 2020: Release of memoir Incomparable
In March 2020, Nikki and Brie released their memoir Incomparable, which became a New York Times Best Seller.
April 11, 2021: Attacked Bayley at WrestleMania 37
On April 11, 2021, during the second night of WrestleMania 37, Nikki and her sister Brie attacked Bayley, turning face once again.
2021: Launch of Bonita Bonita Wine and Baby Gear Collection
In 2021, Nikki and Brie launched another wine label called Bonita Bonita Wine and their own baby gear collection in partnership with Colugo. They also joined Colugo as investors and creative advisors.
January 7, 2022: Participated in the women's Royal Rumble match
After being medically cleared, on the January 7, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Nikki 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, who was also in the match. This was the final WWE match for both sisters at the time.
February 21, 2022: Premiere of America's Got Talent: Extreme
On February 21, 2022, Nikki Bella appeared on America's Got Talent: Extreme, serving as a judge alongside Simon Cowell and Travis Pastrana, marking the series premiere.
March 14, 2022: Conclusion of America's Got Talent: Extreme
On March 14, 2022, the series America's Got Talent: Extreme, where Nikki Bella served as a judge, concluded.
October 19, 2022: Nikki joins Barmageddon as host
On October 19, 2022, Nikki joined Blake Shelton's bar-inspired game show named Barmageddon, serving as the host.
March 2, 2023: Barmageddon renewed for a second season
On March 2, 2023, Barmageddon, which Nikki hosts, was renewed for a second season.
March 14, 2023: Departure from WWE and Rebrand
On March 14, 2023, Nikki and Brie announced on their podcast The Nikki & Brie Show that they and WWE had mutually agreed not to renew their contracts. They subsequently reintroduced themselves as The Garcia Twins.
2023: Contract Expiration and Name Change
In 2023, after Nikki Bella's contract with WWE expired, Nikki 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: Competitor 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.
February 1, 2025: Surprise return at the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble
On February 1, 2025, Nikki Bella made a surprise return to WWE as the final entrant in the 2025 Women's Royal Rumble match. She eliminated Bayley before being eliminated by Nia Jax.
2025: Return to WWE
In 2025, Nikki retained the Bella name and rejoined WWE and their main roster during the events of that year's Royal Rumble event, marking her return to the wrestling scene.
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