Published: Jan 18, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: Jan 18, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor
Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.
WWE
A nixed pitch for Brie Bella’s WWE retirement match has been revealed, with a former wrestler sharing details.
Following a run with WWE as a manager, Lana (CJ Perry) made her in-ring debut during the WrestleMania 32 pre-show, teaming with Naomi, Tamina, Emma and Summer Rae in a losing effort against Natalya, Alicia Fox, Eva Marie, Paige and Brie Bella.
Lana has now revealed that the storyline leading up to her in-ring debut – involving her having multiple confrontations with Brie Bella – was pitched by Brie Bella herself.
Noting that Brie’s original pitch would’ve had Lana retire her on the Raw after WrestleMania 32, Lana told Ring The Belle:
“Brie actually pitched this story, it was all Brie, I’m so thankful. She actually pitched for me to have a singles match the next night against her and to go over, and actually put her into retirement.
“I was really nervous, I was okay it didn’t happen, because I wasn’t ready. Vince wanted her to win on the high and go off as a babyface, I totally understand that and I supported that because I was training, and I just didn’t feel like I was ready yet.
“I was like, everything happens for a reason, my time will come, even though that would have been mega heat.”
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Brie Bella did step away from wrestling after April 2016 to focus on her personal life with husband Bryan Danielson.
She ultimately returned for a WWE run in 2018, which began with an appearance at that January’s Royal Rumble event.
Brie Bella last wrestled in the 2022 Royal Rumble match, which itself was her first in-ring appearance since the October 8, 2018 Raw episode.
The latest update on Brie potentially returning to WWE can be found right here.
Lana recently announced her own return to wrestling, sharing an update on a possible in-ring return.
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