Summary

Nikki Bella has revealed the full extent of the ankle injury that ruled her out of WrestleMania 42.

Bella had already been announced as unable to compete after suffering the injury on the March 27 episode of SmackDown, and she had been trying to rehab in time for the show. She has now shared that the injury involved a fracture, a tear, and a sprain.

WrestleMania 42 changed after Nikki Bella was pulled

Bella's absence directly changed the Women's Tag Team Title match at WrestleMania 42. Instead of teaming with Brie Bella as originally planned, Nikki was replaced by Paige, who returned and teamed with Brie to win the titles.

That late change added another major moment to the weekend and followed earlier reporting that Paige was set to replace Nikki Bella at WrestleMania 42.

What Nikki Bella's injury means after WrestleMania 42

Nikki Bella's update makes it clear this was not a minor issue she could simply tape up and work through. A fracture, tear, and sprain explain why WWE had to change plans so close to WrestleMania 42, and why any immediate in-ring follow-up involving Nikki now depends on how her recovery progresses.

It also gives more context to why Bella was still working back from the injury so close to the event, as she had recently said she was still wearing a boot ahead of WrestleMania.

Sources

Nikki Bella via X