The shocking ending to the SummerSlam main event, which saw Seth Rollins cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion, has been the talk of the wrestling world, and WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella has declared it “the greatest ever.” In a new interview, she shared her real-time, in-person reaction to the stunning turn of events, from her initial confusion to her shocked reaction.
CM Punk beat GUNTHER for the World Title at SummerSlam. For many fans, Punk’s victory was a feel-good moment, but it was immediately shattered by the arrival of a crutch-wielding Seth Rollins, who many, including Nikki Bella, believed was legitimately injured. Instead it was a ruse that WWE played up to everyone outside of small circle of people.
Speaking on the What’s Your Story With Stephanie McMahon podcast, Nikki recounted her experience watching the main event from a suite at the stadium. She explained that she was so convinced of Rollins’ injury that she thought he was just coming out to cut a promo.
“I think what I loved is that we were so happy for Punk. We’re all walking back up from the suite, going, think it’s over. And when his music hit, I was like, Oh, is he just gonna come cut a promo? Because I’m like, one, I am shocked. He’s here. Didn’t he have surgery? Because I had a 30-minute conversation with him at Evolution about how bad his knee is. I talked to Becky about it, so I’m really like, oh, I guess we’re ending on a promo.”
The moment Rollins dropped his crutches and sprinted to the ring, all bets were off. The shock and excitement that filled the stadium was a feeling Nikki will never forget, and she believes it’s those kinds of moments that set WWE apart.
“I’m even getting chills when those crutches dropped. I was like, Is he out of his mind? No way. And when he ran down, I was like, No. And I think because I have not felt that shocked, right, or that I loved it. I was like, so we’re amazing, this is why no one can touch the WWE, because of that right there where, like, we are, like, so shocked by it… When you give people those moments, and when I got to actually experience that moment last night, I go, this is the greatest ever. Like, it’s so fun, it’s so fun. And then to be out there and feel that energy and everyone like, oh yeah.”
The full interview is available on the What’s Your Story With Stephanie McMahon podcast. Check it out below.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit What’s Your Story With Stephanie McMahon with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
