Brie Bella Returns to WWE at Royal Rumble

The Bella Twins make a surprise appearance in the Women's Royal Rumble match

Feb. 2, 2026 at 9:55am

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Brie Bella made a surprise return to WWE at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Brie, along with her twin sister Nikki, entered the Women's Royal Rumble match at #29 and eliminated the team of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria before being eliminated themselves by Lash Legend and Nia Jax. Brie's return sets up the possibility of a Bella Twins tag team run in WWE.

Why it matters

The Bella Twins were once two of WWE's biggest stars, and their return to the ring is sure to generate excitement among fans. Brie's surprise appearance adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the Royal Rumble match and could lead to a renewed focus on the Bella Twins in WWE programming.

The details

Brie Bella made her first in-ring appearance for WWE since the 2022 Royal Rumble. She and Nikki Bella entered the Women's Royal Rumble match at #29 and quickly eliminated the team of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. The Bella Twins then faced off against Lash Legend and Nia Jax, who ultimately eliminated both Brie and Nikki from the match.

  • Brie Bella's last WWE appearance was at the 2022 Royal Rumble.
  • Brie and Nikki Bella entered the 2023 Women's Royal Rumble match at #29.

The players

Brie Bella

A former WWE Divas Champion and one half of the popular Bella Twins tag team.

Nikki Bella

Brie's twin sister and also a former WWE Divas Champion, who returned to the ring alongside Brie at the Royal Rumble.

Bayley

A former WWE SmackDown Women's Champion who was eliminated by the Bella Twins in the Royal Rumble match.

Lyra Valkyria

Bayley's tag team partner who was also eliminated by the Bella Twins in the Royal Rumble match.

Lash Legend

The wrestler who ultimately eliminated both Brie and Nikki Bella from the Royal Rumble match.

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What they’re saying

“I can't even express the gratitude I'm feeling right now. It's been a journey to get here but I'm back and it feels good!!!”

— Brie Bella

What’s next

The Bella Twins' return at the Royal Rumble sets up the possibility of a renewed tag team run in WWE, which could lead to a title opportunity or a high-profile feud against another top women's tag team.

The takeaway

Brie Bella's surprise return to the ring at the Royal Rumble has reignited interest in the Bella Twins and their potential impact on the current WWE women's division. Their appearance adds an exciting element of unpredictability to the company's programming and could lead to a renewed focus on the legendary tag team.