WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella recently provided an encouraging update on her recovery from the ankle injury that forced her out of WrestleMania 42. The former WWE Divas Champion revealed she has reached a new milestone in her rehabilitation process.
Speaking to USA Today Sports, Bella revealed that she was able to squat for the first time since the injury occurred. She acknowledged the movement was not at full strength yet, comparing herself to a baby deer during the exercise.
“The ankle’s doing great. I was really fired up because this morning I got to squat for the first time—not too heavy. Looked a little bit like a baby deer,” Bella said.
Bella explained that her physical therapy has shifted focus from healing to strengthening. The rehabilitation now targets the ankle and surrounding mechanics, including the toes, feet, hips, and knees.
“But last week I got to move up a level in my PT, where I could start focusing on strengthening. So working with my trainer and my PT, a lot of our focus is on strengthening, as well as building the ankle and all the little mechanics that come with the toes, the feet, the hips, the knees—everything,” she stated.
Mid-June Medical Evaluation
The next major checkpoint in Bella’s recovery will come in mid-June when she undergoes X-rays to assess bone healing. She said doctors have not provided a firm return timeline until they see those results.
“I’ll get X-rayed in the middle of June and see how the bones have grown. So fingers crossed I’ll get amazing news, and then I’ve just got to match that with strength, and then I’ll be back,” Bella said.
She admitted to pressing doctors for a comeback date, but they have refused to commit to a timeline before the June evaluation. Bella said she would love to return by the end of June, but emphasized she will not rush back and risk reinjury.
“So in my head, the end of June would be incredible. But I also don’t want to come back too early, because a big reason people get reinjured is that their strength doesn’t match their recovery. So I need to make sure the calf, the quads, the glutes—all of it—is built up properly so it protects that ankle,” she explained.
WrestleMania 42 Absence
Bella was originally scheduled to team with Brie Bella for the Women’s Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 42 before the injury occurred. Paige replaced her in the match, leaving Bella to watch from the sidelines.
Bella has also stated she wants to return as a heel for her final run, focusing on character work rather than performing as a babyface.