New details have emerged regarding Nikki Bella’s apparent injury on the March 27 edition of SmackDown, with PWInsider reporting that she rolled her left ankle during an exchange with Charlotte Flair during the tag team match and was checked out by WWE medical personnel backstage.
Bella was visibly limping during the final moments of the segment and was thrown to the floor by Nia Jax without returning to the ring for the remainder of the action. WWE ringside medical staff were seen checking on her during the broadcast, with the Irresistible Forces confrontation taking place in the aftermath of a tag match in which the Bella Twins defeated Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
PWInsider’s report identifies the left ankle as the area of concern from the exchange with Flair. As of this writing, no information has been provided on the severity of the injury, and WWE has not issued an official statement.
The timing is concerning with WrestleMania 42 just weeks away. No match has been officially announced for the Women’s Tag Team Championships at the show, but it is widely anticipated that The Irresistible Forces will defend against a combination of The Bella Twins, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and potentially the team of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria in a multi-team match. Nikki’s health status will be a factor in how that WrestleMania picture develops in the coming days.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. We wish her a speedy recovery.
