Nikki Bella addressed the online hate and false rumors she's been dealing with during her wrestling comeback. Speaking on The Flying Felon podcast, the former WWE superstar called out toxic fans who spread narratives that her success came from past relationships rather than her own work.
Bella explained that returning to wrestling after seven years away, while being a single mom, has made the constant criticism even harder to handle. She's balancing training and performing with parenting responsibilities, but online commenters show no understanding of that reality.
Dealing With Constant Negativity
"I hate to bring up people online, but sometimes we just can't avoid it, right? In this industry, I feel like the hate that can happen and the trolling is just so wrong," Bella said. She noted that critics immediately jump to negative comments without giving her any credit for the effort she's putting in.
"Even on this comeback, there are moments—it's been hard, because I knew coming back and not having a match in seven years… I am working my ass off and I'm trying, but I'm also a single mom. So it's like I can give so much, and then I've got to give over here too," she explained.
False Narratives About Her Success
Bella directly addressed one of the most persistent rumors about her career, the claim that her success came from who she dated rather than her own abilities. She made it clear how frustrating that narrative is, given the work she's putting in.
"And then it's, 'Wow, she only got to where she's at because of who she used to date,' or 'she's only here because of this.' And it's… I'm working really hard. I would love to say I don't care, but there's a part of me that does care. And there's a part of me that hopes I can change that perception of those hateful people," Bella said.
She acknowledged that while people tell her hate comes with success, it doesn't make dealing with it any easier. The constant negativity affects her mental health, forcing her to take social media breaks at times.
Taking Breaks From Social Media
"It is hard when you see so much online, especially when you know what kind of athlete you are. I have to, at times, take social media breaks and not read the comments, because they do affect me and they'll get me really down," Bella admitted.
She described social media as draining, noting that the platform amplifies miserable people who spread negativity. "Social media can be such a tough thing, and you have to really teach yourself not to read everything, because man, people are brutal. There are a lot of miserable people in this world, and I do believe that social media kind of sucks our soul energy," she said.
