WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (Bella) told NBC Chicago that she was disappointed and sad that said that WWE removed her name from a recent advertisement for Barmageddon. The show airs on the USA Network on Monday night’s following Raw.
Garcia serves as a host on show alongside music star Blake Shelton and radio host Carson Daly.
This past March, The Bella Twins’ (Nikki and Brie) WWE contracts expired and as a result are no longer allowed to use the Bella name. They are now using their maiden names of Garcia.
Nikki said the following:
“It’s sad. There’s obviously a lot I’d like to say…it’s disappointing. I worked there for sixteen years and I helped pave the way for them. And not only that, they’ve always been family to me. And no matter what, walking away, for me, it wasn’t malicious. I’m at a point in my life and wanted to do things without hearing the word no. It was just strictly business.
Maybe there were some personal things over the years that had also pushed me towards that but I think more than anything it’s disappointing because I don’t see it with the men. And for some reason with the women who are outspoken in the past, they just want to ban us and I think it’s sad because we don’t look at it as family. You don’t want to say my name, but that’s fine, hey, Barmageddon got a shot out and so did Blake Shelton so that makes me happy.
So many people in the WWE will always be family to me and I communicate with so many of them. The WWE Universe will always be family to me as well as my Bella Army so I’m appreciative of all of you and all of us that can still live the memories.”
Transcript courtesy of F4WOnline.
Garcia also talked about Barmageddon season 2, her favorite choice of drinks, leaving the Bella name behind and more.
You can watch the full interview below: