Nikki Bella is back. After nearly four months away with a serious ankle injury, the WWE Hall of Famer returned on the July 24 episode of WWE SmackDown. She didn’t just come back to help her sister; she also announced that she will wrestle at WWE SummerSlam next weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
It was Nikki’s first WWE TV appearance since March, and her return set up a big six-woman tag team match featuring The Bella Twins, Paige, and the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Fatal Influence.
Nikki’s comeback comes after a long recovery from the injury she suffered on March 27, 2026, during SmackDown. She was teaming with Brie Bella against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss when she landed awkwardly and badly injured her left ankle. She needed surgery and had to miss WrestleMania 42.
Nikki Bella returns to help Brie Bella on SmackDown
This week’s SmackDown featured Brie Bella taking on Lainey Reid in a singles match.
Reid had the upper hand for much of the match. She even slammed Brie’s face into the ring post. However, Brie fought back with her “Brie Mode” offense, including her running knee attack and “Yes” kicks. The match stayed close until the end, when Brie picked up the win with a quick roll-up.
But the celebration didn’t last long. Right after the match, Fatal Influence rushed into the ring and attacked Brie, continuing their feud after winning the Women’s Tag Team Championships earlier this month.
Paige tried to help Brie, but the numbers game proved too much. Just as they were getting overwhelmed, Nikki Bella’s music hit, and the crowd erupted.
Nikki ran to the ring, took out the attackers, and finished Jacy Jayne with her Rack Attack 2.0, showing that she is fully cleared to compete again.
After Fatal Influence backed away, Nikki grabbed a microphone and called them out. She joked that they came up from the “minor leagues” before accusing them of taking the tag team titles away from her family.
Nikki then challenged Fatal Influence to a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam. The match will see Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, and Paige face Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid.
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