Nikki Bella has stated she plans to compete at WrestleMania 42 despite recent reports questioning her medical clearance due to an ankle injury. The Bella Twins star made the comment during a recent episode of “The Nikki & Brie Demonstrate,” asserting her intention to wrestle at the event scheduled for April 17-18, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her remarks come amid conflicting reports about her availability for the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Earlier in the week, PWInsider reported that Nikki Bella would not be cleared to compete after rolling her ankle on the March 27 episode of SmackDown. The same report indicated that a replacement had been arranged for her spot alongside her twin sister Brie Bella in the championship bout.
According to multiple wrestling news outlets, Paige—whose real name is Saraya-Jade Bevis—has been confirmed as the intended replacement for Nikki Bella in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania 42. Paige, who initially signed with WWE in 2011 and became the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion in 2013, is reportedly set to return to the ring after departing WWE for AEW when her contract expired in 2022.
BodySlam.net was the first to report Paige’s potential return, noting she had signed a multi-year deal with WWE. PWInsider.com later corroborated the story, stating that Paige is expected to debut on Saturday night, taking Nikki Bella’s place alongside Brie Bella in the Fatal-4-Way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
The match is scheduled for WrestleMania Night 1 on Saturday night and will see Brie Bella teaming with Paige against the current champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend, along with challengers Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. This would mark the first time Nikki and Brie Bella have teamed together at WrestleMania since WrestleMania 31, where they faced AJ Lee and Paige in what turned out to be Lee’s last in-ring match for over a decade.
Despite the reports of her injury and possible replacement, Nikki Bella maintained during her show appearance that she intends to wrestle. Though, no official confirmation has been issued by WWE regarding her medical status or final participation in the event as of the latest available reports.
The situation has drawn significant attention from wrestling fans and media outlets, particularly given the history between the Bella Twins and Paige. Their past encounters, including the WrestleMania 31 match, have been frequently referenced in discussions about the potential storyline implications of her return.
As WrestleMania 42 approaches, updates on Nikki Bella’s condition and the official match lineup are expected to come directly from WWE through their official channels. Fans are advised to monitor WWE.com and the company’s social media platforms for the most accurate and timely information regarding the event card and athlete statuses.
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