Published: May 18, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: May 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
Nikki and Brie Bella have reflected on their experiences at WrestleMania 42, revealing that CM Punk spoke with Nikki Bella right before her appearance.
While The Bella Twins were originally scheduled to be part of the Women’s Tag Team Championship four-way, an ankle injury suffered on the March 27 SmackDown episode resulted in Nikki Bella ultimately being replaced in the match.
Nikki announced the replacement herself, taking to the mic right before the returning Paige made her entrance for the match.
Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Brie Bella recalled the lead-up to WrestleMania 42, as well as their experience standing in gorilla position right before the match.
Revealing that CM Punk spoke with Nikki Bella right before the Bella Twins’ music hit, Brie said:
“It’s hard because they’re all so different, and just being part of a big one this past WrestleMania, with Nikki breaking her ankle two weeks before, us kind of being like, ‘What are we going to do? There were a lot of things that were going on.
“I was like ‘Should I just sit out with Nikki until she gets better and come back with her?’ We both were like ‘Would Paige do it? Can Paige do it?’ Two weeks sounds like a lot of time, but it’s really not a lot.
“I feel like being in that moment just recently at WrestleMania 42… It was really cool because right before we walked out, CM Punk was standing there, our music was literally about to hit. He said some really cool stuff to Nikki.
“‘What you’re doing is incredible, it’s hard to be where you’re at, and you’re just like ‘come take my spot.” Having that, and then our music is hitting and we’re hugging him, and then just knowing Paige is about to come out and everyone’s going to be surprised, it gives me goosebumps.
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Nikki Bella then recalled her role in Paige’s return. Stating that the echo and her emotions caught her off guard in the moment, Nikki added:
“Super emotional. I couldn’t even say ‘medically’ right. I messed it up. Nobody ever tells you but the echo in stadiums, it’s like I was talking to myself.
“The words were hitting me back in the face. I was like ‘Wait, why wasn’t I warned? I’m so emotional right now!'”
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CM Punk especially would understand Nikki Bella’s situation more than most, with Punk notably suffering an injury at Royal Rumble 2024 that meant he couldn’t compete at WrestleMania 40, after being teased for a potential main event.
He has went on to main event WrestleMania since, facing Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in the final match of WrestleMania 41 night one, and losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 night two.
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