Nikki and Brie Bella no longer.
After years and YEARS in the spotlight as the Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie have a couple BIG announcements! During a Tuesday episode of their SiriusXM podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, the twin sisters announced that after nearly two decades, they will be retiring from professional wrestling in the WWE — and going forward, they will be using their family name, Garcia. Nikki explained:
“Today we are officially from here on out, the Garcia Twins, Brie, and Nikki Garcia. We’re going to be 40 in November, we’re mothers, we’re entrepreneurs, we’re executive producers, we’re starring now, we’re hosting shows.”
Nikki is married to Dancing with the Stars’ Artem Chigvintsev, with whom she shares 2-year-old son Matteo, while Brie is married to fellow wrestling star Bryan Danielson. The two share 5-year-old Birdie and 2-year-old Buddy. Funny enough, Matteo and Buddy are just 22 hours apart!
Related: Nikki Picked Out Her Wedding Dress Just An HOUR Before The Ceremony!
Nikki added of their WWE decision:
“When our contract came up with WWE, mutually we all knew we just needed to head into this new chapter.”
Brie then chimed in, paying respect to her pro wrestling persona:
“I just want to thank Brie Bella — Brie Bella the character, the name, all of it that I have been the last 16, 17 years. I am so excited to close that chapter on Brie Bella, put that book to the side and open up a new one and see what Brie Garcia is gonna do next.”
It must be pretty bittersweet to close the door on such a substantial part of your life, but it sounds like she’s excited for what the future holds! Nikki added of her own wrestling persona:
“I’m so beyond grateful for Nikki Bella. She empowered me, she inspired me, she truly made me become fearless. And the road that she has paved, and what she’s done for women and the youth and will continue to do, just as Nikki Garcia.”
We don’t doubt they’ll continue to bring the same shine to whatever they do next!
Related: Nikki Explains Why She Ended Things With John Cena
Over on Instagram, the two shared a joint video of themselves walking through a massive door to signal their new opportunities, captioning the same day upload:
“Hi I’m Nikki Garcia, Hi I’m Brie Garcia. And we’re the Garcia Twins. Welcome to our next chapter!”
See (below):
The twins were first signed to the WWE back in 2007, before being released in 2012. A year later, they returned, before skyrocketing in popularity and eventually even landing their own reality TV show, Total Divas, after Nikki cemented her place as the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion! The two were inducted into the wrestling company’s Hall of Fame in 2020, before their show ended a year later after nine seasons.
We’re sad to see their pro wrestling career end, but we’re very excited for what they have in store next!
Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF in the comments down below!
[Images via Nikki Garcia/Instagram, WWE/YouTube & MEGA/WENN]
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