Nikki Garcia (a.k.a. Nikki Bella) in AEW? Tony Khan is down for it

After Nikki Garcia talked about her interest in AEW recently, Tony Khan made it clear that feeling is mutual.

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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The Bella Twins, now the Garcia Twins, are done with WWE

Nikki and Brie Garcia explained their name change on their new SiriusXM show.

Goodbye Nikki and Brie Bella. Hello Nikki and Brie Garcia.

Ending a 17-year relationship with WWE, the former Bella Twins announced today that they are finished with the company and moving on to a new venture under their real maiden names.

Fans got a taste of what’s next right away: “The Nikki and Brie Show” is the Garcia Twins’ SiriusXM show that will air every Wednesday. People broke the news earlier today and confirmed that their time with WWE was done.

Nikki and Brie explained their thinking on the name change a bit more on the first episode of the show, with Nikki saying as the sisters approach a milestone birthday, it just felt like the timing was right.

“Brie and I, almost 40 … We’re going to be 40 in November, we’re mothers, we’re entrepreneurs, we’re executive producers, we’re hosting shows,” she said. “And when our contract came up with WWE, mutually we all knew, like, we just needed to head into this new chapter.”

Both sisters added that they were grateful for their time as Brie Bella and Nikki Bella for allowing them numerous opportunities and the chance for continual self-empowerment.

Except for a one-off appearance by both twins in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match, neither has been an active in-ring competitor for years. Brie’s last matches came in 2018, while Nikki took part in a tag team match at a house show a year later.

However, the Garcias continued working with WWE as ambassadors, and the company had a production role in their TV series up through the recent “Nikki Bella Says I Do” show about Nikki’s marriage to Artem Chigvintsev.

That will obviously change now as the sisters move on. It will probably take some time for fans to get used to calling them the Garcia Twins, but the guess is that they’ll adjust.

WWE’s Bella Twins give birth one day apart

WWE’s Bella twins gave birth to boys, one day apart.

The WWE Bella Twins are a brand, unlike many others. Nikki and Brie have parlayed success in the ring into the “Total Bellas” television show, as well as hitting on many platforms.

The twins were pregnant at the same time and darn if they didn’t come close to giving birth on the same date.  Nikki on July 31 and Brie on Aug. 1.

Both Bellas gave birth to boys. Brie and husband Bryan Danielson — aka Daniel Bryan in WWE — also have a daughter, Birdie, 3.

“It’s a BOY!!!” the 36-year-old wrote on Instagram “We are overwhelmed with joy and everyone is healthy!!!”

This is the first child for Nikki fiance and her fiancé, pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev.

“Our baby boy is here and we couldn’t be HAPPIER and more in LOVE!” she captioned her own entwined-hands photo. “Everyone is safe and healthy.”

WWE was offered congratulations to both families.