WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella recently named the opponent she wants to close out her WWE career against, and it is Rhea Ripley.
Speaking in a new interview, the veteran laid out a retirement wishlist built around personal stakes, with Ripley positioned as her dream final feud.
Bella told Casino Guru that she has unfinished business with Liv Morgan and interest in rising heel Blake Monroe, but Ripley is the name she would most like to retire on.
I definitely think I have to do something with Liv before I’m done, because it’s there. You see that even when we went at each other on social media last week, because when I was watching, I was like, ‘Excuse me.’ You naturally saw the engagement immediately, so you could tell there’s unfinished business there, and honestly, I would love my last story to be with Rhea Ripley.
I would love to have that with her, and I hope I get to be mixed in with some of the new girls too on my way out. Like Blake Monroe would be another one. Between Blake and Rhea on my way out,” Bella said.
Unfinished Business With Liv Morgan
Bella and Morgan crossed paths last year and were building toward a rivalry. However, Morgan’s shoulder injury forced her out of in-ring action for most of the year. Bella pointed to a recent social media back-and-forth between the two as proof that the feud still has life.
That timing fits Bella’s own situation, as she continues to map out her in-ring future. She recently provided an update on her WWE return following her ankle injury.
Why Blake Monroe Made The List
Bella praised Monroe’s heel work and explained that the rivalries she values most are rooted in personal issues and real-life emotion.
With Blake, I love when I look at people to get in good stories with. I look at what can I use personally to bring up, and with all those girls, there’s past stuff that we get to bring into it. Even with Blake Monroe. And that’s when stuff is gold. When I saw the girls’ promo last week, Judgment Day, and Brie and Paige, I’m like, ‘Yes, this is what I’m talking about.’
Even though I was like, ‘Ow, you guys are so mean,’ that’s the stuff I love. Get personal. We’re not here to not hurt feelings. This is wrestling. Go hurt feelings. I’m sorry, but this is what sells. To get the emotion, it’s what gets people invested and connected,” Bella said.
Bella has already been pulled into that kind of emotional storytelling herself, having threatened The Judgment Day after their attack on Brie Bella and Paige.
Monroe was moved to SmackDown last month and made her main roster debut in a backstage segment with Chelsea Green.
