Nikki Bella Contemplates a Villainous Return to WWE
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, character development remains a crucial element that keeps audiences engaged and storylines fresh. WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, who made her surprise comeback at the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble, has recently opened up about potentially revisiting her heel persona, revealing a desire to bring a new dimension to her “Fearless Nikki” character. Speaking candidly on the “Nikki & Brie Show,” the former two-time WWE Divas Champion shared insights into her current run and creative aspirations within the company, giving fans a glimpse into the thoughtful process behind her wrestling persona.
Nikki’s wrestling journey has always been marked by her ability to connect with audiences, whether as a beloved babyface or a compelling villain. During her recent discussion, she expressed genuine excitement about potentially steering her “Fearless Nikki” character in a new direction. “Deep down, I would love to go back heel,” she admitted, though she also acknowledged the unique challenge of performing as a babyface in the current era of professional wrestling. This internal creative tension highlights the depth of thought that goes into crafting a wrestling persona that resonates with modern audiences while honoring a performer’s natural instincts. Her recent program with Becky Lynch, culminating in a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match at the Clash in Paris premium live event, may have planted the seeds for this character evolution, as the Paris crowd’s reaction to Nikki had notable heel-like undertones.
The wrestling landscape has changed dramatically since Nikki’s first WWE run, and she appears to be embracing these changes wholeheartedly. In her conversation, she praised the company’s current creative process, noting how much more collaborative it has become. “I do work with creative, every week, hands-on. I love being hands-on,” she explained, contrasting this approach with her previous experience. “It’s actually very different than before. Even when we do promos, we used to get handed something, and it’s way different now. It’s really cool. You just sit and talk about it.” This evolution in WWE’s creative approach seems to align perfectly with Nikki’s desire to take an active role in shaping her character’s direction, suggesting that any potential heel turn would be thoughtfully crafted with her input.
Professional wrestlers often speak about the special connection they feel when a character truly aligns with their authentic selves, and Nikki’s comments suggest she may find that alignment in revisiting her villainous side. While she has successfully performed as a babyface since her return, her contemplation of a heel turn reveals the artist’s desire to explore different facets of her performance abilities. This creative restlessness is often what separates good performers from great ones in the wrestling world. The fact that Nikki is already considering her character’s evolution so early in her return run demonstrates her commitment to storytelling and her understanding that the most compelling wrestling characters are those that grow and change over time, much like real people.
The timing of Nikki’s potential character shift comes during a particularly innovative period in WWE’s creative direction. Under new leadership, the company has embraced a more collaborative approach to character development and storytelling, allowing performers greater input into their presentations. This creative renaissance has coincided with renewed audience enthusiasm and critical acclaim, creating an ideal environment for established stars like Nikki to explore new dimensions of their characters. If she does decide to return to her heel roots, she would be doing so in a WWE landscape that’s more supportive of nuanced character work than ever before, potentially allowing for a more sophisticated and compelling villain than was possible during her previous run with the company.
Wrestling has always been about more than just athletic competition; at its heart, it’s theater—a place where performers can explore complex emotions and relationships through physical storytelling. Nikki Bella’s contemplation of returning to a heel role represents the thoughtful approach of a veteran performer who understands this fundamental truth about her art form. Whether she ultimately embraces her villainous side or continues to evolve her babyface persona, her willingness to publicly discuss these creative considerations offers fans valuable insight into the intellectual and emotional process behind professional wrestling character development. As WWE continues to evolve its storytelling approach, performers like Nikki who bring this level of consideration to their craft will likely play a crucial role in shaping the company’s creative future, regardless of whether they’re cheered or booed when they step through the curtain.
