The March 13 episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown featured a hometown moment that quickly turned into a bold statement about the future of the women’s tag team division.
With championship gold on the line later in the night, two familiar faces made their way to the ring in Phoenix. While the crowd welcomed them back warmly, their message to the rest of the division made it clear this wasn’t just a nostalgia visit.
Instead, the returning WWE Hall of Famers arrived with their eyes firmly set on championship gold.
The Bella Twins Declare Intent To Challenge for WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on SmackDown
Nikki and Brie Bella — The Bella Twins — returned to SmackDown in their hometown of Phoenix and immediately set their sights on the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
The duo came to the ring before the scheduled title match between champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend and challengers Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
Addressing the crowd, the Bellas said it felt good to be back on WWE television in Phoenix. However, they made it clear they were not there to support either team competing that night.
Instead, Nikki and Brie stated that whoever left SmackDown as champions should be ready — because the Bella Twins consider themselves next in line for the titles.
The Hall of Fame duo then took seats at ringside to watch the championship match unfold.
The bout between Jax and Legend — known as the Irresistible Forces — and the team of Bliss and Flair turned chaotic quickly. The action spilled outside the ring multiple times before the situation escalated further near the end of the match.
During the closing sequence, interference involving the Bellas contributed to the outcome. After Brie Bella entered the ring and attacked Jax, the match was ruled a disqualification, allowing the champions to retain their titles.
Following the decision, a three-team brawl erupted at ringside. When the dust settled, Jax and Legend stood tall after laying out the other teams.
The Bellas’ return continues their renewed involvement in WWE after reuniting at the 2026 Royal Rumble and appearing on Raw earlier this year.
With WrestleMania 42 approaching, the message from Phoenix was clear — the Bella Twins are back, and they’re ready to ring the bell on a new title chase.
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