Michael Cole Confirms Nikki Bella Is Rehabbing Ankle Injury Ahead of WrestleMania 42

Nikki Bella’s WrestleMania 42 status received an official on-air update during Monday’s WWE Raw, with Michael Cole confirming during the Lash Legend versus Bayley singles match that Nikki is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and is working to get medically cleared in time for the Show of Shows.

Cole stated that Nikki Bella is rehabbing her ankle injury and hoping to return for WrestleMania — the clearest in-show acknowledgment yet of a situation that has been building concern since she went down during the March 27 SmackDown post-match brawl. Days after that incident, Nikki was spotted wearing a walking boot while filming a future episode of The Nikki and Brie Show, and WWE subsequently confirmed on SmackDown that she was legitimately hurt and actively rehabbing.

Nikki Bella Remains Scheduled for WrestleMania 42 Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Title Match

The Bella Twins are still listed as participants in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way at WrestleMania 42, where they are set to challenge The Irresistible Forces alongside Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Their reduced presence in the final weeks of the WrestleMania build now has an official explanation. Whether Nikki is ultimately cleared in time remains the defining question, with WrestleMania 42 taking place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.