I have a new column every Monday and Friday for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Today’s addresses those who don’t acknowledge any accomplishments from The Bella Twins due to who they date or marry. Here’s an excerpt:
The Bella Twins, specifically Nikki, have came such a long way, and ironically many “smart” fans of WWE choose to not see it.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. You don’t have to find Nikki Bella talented, entertaining or attractive. I find her to be all three, but that’s me. The real problem is those who proclaim that the accomplishments of her and her sister are fraudulent, based on their personal-life relationships.
Nikki Bella dates John Cena. Brie Bella is married to Daniel Bryan. Do their personal lives have an impact on their professional lives? Absolutely. It’s impossible for that not to be a factor when everyone involved works for the same company and is on the top half of the roster.
However you can’t credit that for the amazing growth the Twins have had.
The Bella Twins missed the cut of the 2006 WWE diva search contest. That was their big start. That’s how they were first seen by the company.
Once they finally received developmental deals with WWE, they were eye candy — exploited for being beautiful identical twins. They realized if they wanted to be anything more for a long period, they would have to learn the in-ring craft.
Eight years later, here we are.
Who they married or dated definitely came into play in the form of getting advice from two of the most talented professional wrestlers ever — in two different ways — in Cena and Bryan. But Cena and Bryan didn’t go out and fight the Twins’ matches, wear their bruises or absorb their physical pain. The girls put in their own work on the road like everyone else.
“Monday Night RAW” is going to see Charlotte trying to win the Divas title from Nikki Bella. If Charlotte doesn’t win by the end of the night, Bella will become the longest reigning Diva champion, surpassing the 295 days the title was held by AJ Lee. If Bella becomes the longest-reigning champion, a portion of the heavily invested and “smart” fans of the product are going to freak out.
In the eyes of those fans, Lee is as different as could be from the Bella Twins.
CLICK HERE for more irony from these fans’ reactions, the viewed differences of Lee and the Twins and more.
