Nikki Bella’s says ‘Total Divas’ was the first thing WWE couldn’t control

Nikki Bella felt some resentment within WWE regarding the success of Total Divas. 

The 39-year-old appeared on an episode of The Sessions with Renee Paquette released Tuesday. During the discussion, she noted that she felt WWE wasn't supportive of the success the Bellas were having in the reality television world. Nikki even said that when she and Brie won the Diva of the Year, the twins were yelled at in the back after accepting the award. 

Nikki said:

Total Divas should have been praised even more. 

What we were doing was insane, we literally were at the point of almost beating the Kardashians in the ratings. We were shaking the world up, what a great time. We could have had the industry behind us but instead they used it to turn it against us. 

Nikki continued:

As far as the boss, I felt it was the first time he lost control of what he could make and not make because when Brie and I won Diva of the Year, we got in trouble, and I got yelled at.

We came back so happy and it was like, 'Oh, because you brought in all these new viewers and the women are voting for you and all these new women are here..'

Everyone around was on the floor like, 'The Bella Twins are getting yelled at for being successful' because it wasn't what they wanted because they were the storytellers, they push who they want the crowd to be behind. Perception is reality, that is WWE to a T. 

Even though the fans think they own it, no, they laugh in the back, 'No, we own you at the end of the day.' So, I truly believe Total Divas was the first thing they couldn't control. 

Nikki was a cast member of Total Divas from Seasons one through eight and also appeared as a guest on the ninth and final season. She then starred in and was an executive producer for six seasons of Total Bellas along with her sister. She has appeared as a judge on America's Got Talent, hosts Barmageddon, and stars in her own reality series, Nikki Bella Says I Do. Nikki and Brie Bella were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020.