Nikki Garcia, known as Nikki Bella during her time in WWE as half of the Bella Twins, dropped a tantalizing nugget earlier this week when she discussed on her podcast with sister Brie how she seriously considered calling AEW CEO and GM Tony Khan within the past year to ask him about joining the promotion.
Garcia was especially inspired by the debut of Mercedes Moné, and she convinced herself she could commit to being a regular in AEW for a year until she decided she needed to be home for her nearly 4-year-old son.
Despite the fact that it looks unlikely to happen, the idea of Nikki Garcia in AEW has proven popular online, and it’s even made its way to Khan. When asked about it on the Battleground Podcast, Khan said he “would be very interested” if Garcia ever wanted to explore a pro wrestling return (h/t Fightful for the transcription).
If Nikki Garcia ever wanted to come in to AEW, I would be very interested in that. I think the world of her. I have so much respect for Nicole and Bri. They’re like family to us because Bryan is like a part of my family, and that means Bri and Nicole part of the family. So I have so much respect for both of them, and if Nikki was interested in coming to AEW, we would love to have her here any time.
Garcia is a WWE lifer, having never wrestled outside that company or its developmental brands (she came up through Florida Championship Wrestling, which became what is now NXT). Her most recent appearance was in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match, but her last full-on televised WWE match was in October 2018, when Garcia was submitted by then-Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey in the main event of the WWE Evolution all-women’s pay-per-view.
Though now 40, Garcia is a fitness enthusiast and would likely still be able to perform at a high level in the ring while also providing a voice of wisdom and experience in the AEW locker room. It’s a pairing that almost makes too much sense, and one that fans are likely to keep holding out hope for now that Khan has expressed his interest too.
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