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 (now Nikki Garcia), is an American professional wrestler and television personality signed to WWE, performing on the Raw brand. She gained prominence as one-half of The Bella Twins alongside her twin sister Brie Bella, becoming a two-time WWE Divas Champion. Beyond wrestling, Nikki has ventured into reality television, notably starring in 'Total Divas' and 'Total Bellas,' showcasing her personal life and career. She has also pursued entrepreneurial ventures and appeared in other entertainment projects, solidifying her status as a mainstream celebrity.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2006: Participation in WWE Diva Search and other appearances

In 2006, Nikki Bella and her sister participated in the "International Body Doubles twins search" and later the 2006 WWE Diva Search, without making the cut. They also appeared as the World Cup Twins for Budweiser.

June 2007: Signing with WWE

In June 2007, Nicole, along with her sister, signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).

September 15, 2007: In-ring debut in 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.

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 as part of her on-screen persona with Brie, where they would switch places behind the referee's back.

December 2007: Managing Derrick Linkin

Starting in December 2007, Nikki Bella managed Derrick Linkin in FCW; however, the storyline was cut short when Linkin was released in January 2008.

2007: Signing with WWE and assignment to FCW

In 2007, Nikki Bella signed with WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), a developmental territory, along with her twin sister Brie, forming The Bella Twins.

January 2008: Derrick Linkin's Release

In January 2008, Derrick Linkin was released from FCW, cutting short Nikki Bella's storyline as his manager that began in December 2007.

April 2008: Neidhart's Call-up to WWE Roster

In April 2008, Nattie Neidhart was called up to the WWE roster, and Milena Roucka took her place in the feud between Nikki Bella, Brie, Neidhart and Crawford.

August 29, 2008: Brianna's Debut on SmackDown as Brie Bella

On August 29, 2008, Brianna debuted on SmackDown as Brie Bella, defeating Victoria, leading to a rivalry between Brie, Victoria, and Natalya.

2008: SmackDown Debut

In 2008, Nikki Bella made her debut for the SmackDown brand.

February 2009: On-screen relationship with The Colóns, Morrison, and The Miz

In February 2009, The Bella Twins developed an on-screen relationship with The Colóns (Carlito and Primo), and later with John Morrison and The Miz, leading to a rivalry between the teams for the twins' affection.

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 traded to the ECW brand.

January 4, 2010: WWE Divas Championship Tournament Loss

On January 4, 2010, Brie Bella participated in a tournament for the vacant WWE Divas Championship on Raw, but lost to Maryse in the first round after a switch resulted in Nikki being pinned.

June 2010: Feud with Jillian Hall

In June 2010, the Bella Twins began a feud with Jillian Hall, with Brie and Nikki taking turns defeating Hall, often switching places to gain an advantage.

2010: Mentoring on NXT and Storyline with Daniel Bryan

In 2010, the Bella Twins mentored Jamie on the all-female third season of NXT. They also began a storyline with Daniel Bryan, managing him and feuding over his affection.

January 2011: Turn to Villainous Characters

In January 2011, both Bella Twins turned into villainous characters after discovering Daniel Bryan kissing Gail Kim backstage, leading to attacks on Kim.

May 1, 2012: Independent Wrestling Show Appearance

On May 1, 2012, The Bella Twins 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 on Raw with Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow).

July 2013: Main Cast for Total Divas

In July 2013, Nikki and Brie became part of the main cast for the reality television show Total Divas.

Loading Video...

April 6, 2014: Nikki Competing at WrestleMania XXX

On April 6, 2014, Nikki Bella competed in the 14-Diva "Vickie Guerrero Invitational match" for the Divas Championship at WrestleMania XXX, which was won by AJ Lee.

2014: Roles in Film and TV

In 2014, Nikki and Brie co-starred in the independent film Confessions of a Womanizer, and appeared in the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards where they presented the award for Best Female.

Loading Video...

February 22, 2015: Divas Championship Retained

On February 22, 2015, Nikki Bella retained her Divas Championship against Paige at Fastlane.

2015: Turning villainous

In 2015, Nikki Bella turned villainous for the first time since teaming with her sister Brie to attack Ronda Rousey, after defeating The Riott Squad in a rematch.

2015: The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown! Voice Acting

In 2015, Nikki and Brie provided voices for the movie The Flintstones & WWE: Stone Age SmackDown!.

Loading Video...

April 3, 2016: WrestleMania 32 Appearance

On April 3, 2016, Nikki Bella made a brief appearance at the WrestleMania 32 event, celebrating with Brie after a 10-Diva tag team match victory.

August 21, 2016: SummerSlam Return

On August 21, 2016, Nikki Bella made a surprise return as a villain at SummerSlam, replacing Eva Marie and teaming with Natalya and Alexa Bliss, defeating Becky Lynch, Naomi, and Carmella.

October 5, 2016: Total Bellas Premiere

On October 5, 2016, Total Bellas, the spinoff show starring Nikki and Brie, premiered on E!.

Loading Video...

November 21, 2016: Launch of The Bella Twins YouTube Channel

On November 21, 2016, Nikki and Brie launched their new YouTube channel, "The Bella Twins", featuring fashion, beauty, travel, fitness, relationship, and health videos.

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.

October 30, 2017: Dancing with the Stars Elimination

On October 30, 2017, Nikki Bella was eliminated from the 25th season of Dancing with the Stars, where she was paired with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.

November 1, 2017: Launch of Birdiebee Brand

On November 1, 2017, Nikki and Brie launched Birdiebee, a lifestyle intimates and activewear brand focused on empowering women.

2017: Feud with Natalya

In 2017, Nikki Bella continued a feud with Natalya, marked by attacks and matches, including one at Elimination Chamber that ended in a double count-out.

January 22, 2018: 25th Anniversary of Raw Appearance

On January 22, 2018, The Bella Twins appeared at the 25th Anniversary of Raw.

April 2, 2018: 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 on their channel.

May 23, 2018: American Ninja Warrior Appearance

On May 23, 2018, Bella appeared in the celebrity edition of American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs Ninja.

2018: Singles Match Since 2018

Since 2018, Nikki defeated Chelsea Green in a singles match on raw, after having announced on the July 7 episode of Raw that she would enter the Evolution Battle Royal for a women's world championship match at Clash in Paris.

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: In-Ring Career Ends

On June 20, 2019, Nikki Bella ended her in-ring career after discovering a cyst on her brain.

February 21, 2020: WWE Hall of Fame Announcement

On the February 21, 2020, episode of SmackDown, the Bella Twins were announced as inductees into 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: WrestleMania 37 Appearance and Face Turn

On April 11, 2021, during the second night of WrestleMania 37, Nikki Bella, along with Brie, attacked Bayley, turning face once again.

2021: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

In 2021, Nikki Bella and her sister Brie were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as The Bella Twins.

2021: New Business Ventures

In 2021, Nikki and Brie launched another wine label called Bonita Bonita Wine and their own baby gear collection in partnership with Colugo.

2021: Relaunch of The Bellas Podcast

In 2021, The Bellas Podcast was relaunched after being acquired by Stitcher, a subsidiary of Sirius XM.

January 7, 2022: SmackDown Appearance

On January 7, 2022, Nikki Bella participated in the women's Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble, marking 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 appeared on America's Got Talent: Extreme as a judge, alongside Simon Cowell and Travis Pastrana.

Loading Video...

March 14, 2022: Conclusion of America's Got Talent: Extreme

On March 14, 2022, Nikki's stint as judge on America's Got Talent: Extreme concluded.

Loading Video...

October 19, 2022: Hosting Barmageddon

On October 19, 2022, Nikki joined Blake Shelton's bar-inspired game show named Barmageddon, serving as the host.

Loading Video...

March 2, 2023: Renewal of Barmageddon for Second Season

On March 2, 2023, Barmageddon, the game show hosted by Nikki Bella, was renewed for a second season.

Loading Video...

March 14, 2023: Departure from WWE

On March 14, 2023, Nikki and Brie announced on their podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, that they mutually agreed with WWE to not renew their contracts and reintroduced themselves as The Garcia Twins.

November 2023: Hosting Twin Love

In November 2023, Nikki and Brie hosted the Amazon-produced dating game show, Twin Love.

Loading Video...

2023: Contract Expiration and Return to Garcia Name

In 2023, Nikki Bella's contract with WWE expired, and she and Brie retired the "Bella" surname, returning to their legal maiden name of "Garcia" professionally 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.

Loading Video...

February 1, 2025: Return 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.

July 28, 2025: Injury on Raw

On July 28, 2025, Nikki Bella suffered an injury on Raw during an eight-woman tag team match while battling Piper Niven.

August 1, 2025: Injury Revelation

On August 1, 2025, Nikki Bella revealed on her and her sister's podcast show Nikki and Brie, that she suffered an injury on the July 28, 2025, episode of Raw while battling Piper Niven during an eight-woman tag team match.