Nikki Bella's Injury Casts Doubt on WrestleMania 42 Appearance

WWE Hall of Famer still recovering from ankle injury ahead of big event

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:26am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a wrestling match or competition, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors like deep blues, fiery reds, and metallic silvers, conceptually representing the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling injuries and recoveries.An abstract artistic interpretation of the uncertainty surrounding Nikki Bella's status for the upcoming WWE WrestleMania 42 event.Las Vegas Today

An ankle injury suffered by Nikki Bella during a recent SmackDown appearance has raised concerns about her availability for the upcoming WWE WrestleMania 42 event. While the initial injury did not appear too serious, recent updates suggest Nikki is still undergoing rehabilitation efforts to be cleared in time for the big match at WrestleMania, where she is scheduled to compete in a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.

Why it matters

Nikki Bella is a marquee star for WWE, and her participation in the WrestleMania event is highly anticipated by fans. Her potential absence would be a significant blow to the card and could impact the outcome of the Women's Tag Team title match.

The details

Nikki Bella suffered the ankle injury during a March 27 appearance on SmackDown. While the situation initially did not seem too serious, recent comments from WWE commentator Michael Cole have revealed that Nikki has yet to fully recover. With WrestleMania 42 just around the corner on April 13, the timing of her injury raises concerns about whether she will be cleared to compete.

  • Nikki Bella suffered the ankle injury on March 27 during a SmackDown appearance.
  • On the April 3 episode of WWE RAW, commentator Michael Cole revealed that Nikki was still undergoing rehabilitation efforts to be cleared for WrestleMania 42.
  • WWE WrestleMania 42 is scheduled to take place on April 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The players

Nikki Bella

A WWE Hall of Famer and one half of the popular Bella Twins tag team. She is currently scheduled to compete in a Fatal 4-Way match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 42.

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What they’re saying

“She is undergoing efforts to rehab in time to compete for the match at WrestleMania”

— Michael Cole, WWE Commentator

What’s next

WWE will continue to provide updates on Nikki Bella's injury status and her availability for the WrestleMania 42 event. If she is unable to compete, it could lead to changes in the Women's Tag Team title match.

The takeaway

Nikki Bella's injury setback highlights the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the challenges athletes face in recovering in time for marquee events like WrestleMania. Her potential absence would be a significant loss for the card, underscoring the importance of star power and the need for contingency plans in the industry.