Brie Bella points to WWE for Nikki and Paige's short match
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 19, 2026, 6:12 PM
Last updated Sep 19, 2026

Nikki Bella and Paige faced off in a grudge match on SmackDown on September 11 in Mexico City. The match, lasting less than three and a half minutes, surprised both wrestlers who expected more time. Nikki claims the brevity left fans wanting more, generating discussion around the match. While Nikki suggested Paige's aggressive approach cut the match short, Brie Bella implied that WWE's management is to blame.
- •Nikki Bella and Paige's match lasted under three and a half minutes.
- •Nikki initially expected a longer, more intense fight.
- •Brie Bella subtly indicated WWE management's role in match length.
- •The brief match sparked discussion among fans and peers.
- 6:12 PMWrestling Inc — Nikki Bella Comments On WWE SmackDown Match With Paige, Thought They'd Be On A PLE
- 1:13 AMCageside Seats — Brie Bella knows who to blame in WWE for Nikki and Paige getting almost no time to wrestle
"Nikki Bella and Paige had a grudge match last week (Sept. 11) on SmackDown in Mexico City, but the fight didn’t even last three and a half minutes before it was over. The Bella Twins talked about what happened on this week’s episode of The Nikki & Brie Show. Nikki first revealed that she expected the match to be a PLE-quality fight, which presumably means she thought WWE would give them more time to work with. Even so, she likes it better that WWE went a different route and left the fans wanting more. “Our numbers ended up being the most talked about from Friday night SmackDown. Isn’t that amazing? It was like, even though we thought we were gonna have this PLE match, and I came in super prepped for that…I’m all about the story, so take it away, and [the match ends so soon], and it’s great heat, right? And it gets people talking. And now they’re like, when’s this gonna happen? What’s next?” Nikki said her friends texted her asking why the match was so short. She tried to keep it kayfabe by blaming Paige’s impatience and careless aggression for the match being so short, but Brie slipped up by pointing her finger at the “boss” in WWE. Brie: “Well, you should’ve pointed where the boss is.” Nikki: “No! I was like, it’s her fault. Go tell Paige. It’s her fault. She came out like an angry woman. But yeah, it was awesome.” Do you think Nikki is deluding herself in thinking that WWE’s strategy was to leave the fans wanting more, or is that actually why her match with Paige in Mexico City barely got any time? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
"Hall of Famer Nikki Bella reflects on her recent match with Paige on "WWE SmackDown," how she was surprised their match wasn't featured on a PLE.
Sources
External links- Wrestling IncSep 19, 2026, 6:12 PMNikki Bella Comments On WWE SmackDown Match With Paige, Thought They'd Be On A PLE
Hall of Famer Nikki Bella reflects on her recent match with Paige on "WWE SmackDown," how she was surprised their match wasn't featured on a PLE.
- Cageside SeatsSep 18, 2026, 1:13 AMBrie Bella knows who to blame in WWE for Nikki and Paige getting almost no time to wrestle
Nikki Bella and Paige had a grudge match last week (Sept. 11) on SmackDown in Mexico City, but the fight didn’t even last three and a half minutes before it was over. The Bella Twins talked about what happened on this week’s episode of The Nikki & Brie Show. Nikki first revealed that she expected the match to be a PLE-quality fight, which presumably means she thought WWE would give them more time to work with. Even so, she likes it better that WWE went a different route and left the fans wanting more. “Our numbers ended up being the most talked about from Friday night SmackDown. Isn’t that amazing? It was like, even though we thought we were gonna have this PLE match, and I came in super prepped for that…I’m all about the story, so take it away, and [the match ends so soon], and it’s great heat, right? And it gets people talking. And now they’re like, when’s this gonna happen? What’s next?” Nikki said her friends texted her asking why the match was so short. She tried to keep it kayfabe by blaming Paige’s impatience and careless aggression for the match being so short, but Brie slipped up by pointing her finger at the “boss” in WWE. Brie: “Well, you should’ve pointed where the boss is.” Nikki: “No! I was like, it’s her fault. Go tell Paige. It’s her fault. She came out like an angry woman. But yeah, it was awesome.” Do you think Nikki is deluding herself in thinking that WWE’s strategy was to leave the fans wanting more, or is that actually why her match with Paige in Mexico City barely got any time? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.
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