Brie Bella Returns To WWE At Royal Rumble

On January 31, 2026, the unmistakable energy of "Brie Mode" electrified Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as Brie Garcia — known to millions as Brie Bella — made her long-awaited return to WWE during the Women’s Royal Rumble match. For fans who’d followed the twin superstars through years of triumph, heartbreak, and reinvention, this surprise comeback was more than just a nostalgic moment; it was a potential turning point for women’s wrestling and the storied legacy of the Bella Twins, now known outside the ring as the Garcia Twins.

Brie’s return was, by all accounts, unexpected. After four years away from WWE’s squared circle, she entered the Rumble at the #29 spot, just four places behind her twin sister Nikki, who had herself returned to WWE the previous year. According to Post Wrestling, this was Brie’s first in-ring appearance since the 2022 Royal Rumble, where she’d entered at number 19 and eliminated three competitors before being ousted by Ronda Rousey. This time, the stakes and the emotions were even higher.

The crowd in Riyadh erupted the moment Brie’s entrance music hit. She strode into the ring clad in a striking red bodysuit, matching Nikki’s look and signaling the return of the iconic duo. The arena filled with “Yes” chants — a nod to her husband Bryan Danielson’s signature rallying cry — as Brie unleashed a flurry of Yes Kicks on Raquel Rodriguez, drawing cheers and fueling the already electric atmosphere, as reported by The Takedown on SI.

Once reunited in the ring, the Bella Twins wasted no time reminding everyone why they are considered one of the most influential tag teams in women’s wrestling. Working in perfect sync, they eliminated both Lyra Valkyria and Bayley, a moment of classic "twin magic" that had fans and commentators buzzing. As Fightful noted, this was the first time the sisters had teamed up in a WWE match since October 8, 2018, when they joined forces with Ronda Rousey to defeat The Riott Squad on Raw.

Yet, as quickly as their alliance ignited, it was snuffed out by Lash Legend, the powerhouse who tossed both sisters over the top rope, ending their run in the match simultaneously. The elimination was met with a mix of disappointment and admiration from the crowd, who recognized the significance of the reunion even as it was cut short. Us Weekly described the moment as “a shocker,” but one that left the door wide open for speculation about the future.

The Bella Twins’ journey back to WWE was far from straightforward. After their simultaneous retirement in 2023, the sisters, now using their real surname Garcia, shifted focus to motherhood, entrepreneurship, and executive producing. Brie, in particular, had stepped away from wrestling to raise her two children with Bryan Danielson, while Nikki juggled her own family life and solo projects. In a candid podcast episode from March 2023, Nikki explained, “Today we are officially from here on out, the Garcia Twins. We’re mothers, we’re entrepreneurs, we’re executive producers, we’re hosting shows. When our contract came up with WWE, mutually we all knew we just needed to head into this new chapter.”

Despite their contentment outside the ring, both Brie's and Nikki’s passion for wrestling never fully faded. The sisters have been vocal about their desire to compete together again, especially for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship — a title introduced just four months after their last tag match in 2018. As Nikki told The Takedown on SI, “I truly hope to be with Brie going after the tag titles and just having that opportunity to be tag team champions... I really wanna have that moment with her, and honestly, I wanna have that moment to go back and be a heel with her. Being a villain and causing chaos, doing what the Bella's do best.”

For years, a major obstacle to Brie’s return was her husband’s affiliation with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). According to Cageside Seats, there was a belief within the family that Bryan Danielson’s AEW commitments prevented Brie from re-signing with WWE. However, whatever hurdles existed appear to have been resolved, clearing the way for her Royal Rumble appearance and, perhaps, more to come.

The timing of Brie’s return also coincides with a particularly competitive era for WWE’s Women’s Tag Team Division. Teams like Rhiyo, the Kabuki Warriors, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Judgment Day, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria are all vying for the coveted titles, making the division “hotter than it’s ever been,” as The Takedown on SI put it. The addition of the Bella Twins — should they decide to pursue a longer run — would undoubtedly raise the stakes and add a layer of star power and experience.

It’s not just the fans who are excited. The sisters themselves have mused about their children potentially following in their footsteps. Nikki, speaking to Us Weekly in May 2024, joked about her son Matteo teaming up with Brie’s son Buddy: “I do think they would be a pretty badass tag team. He is my fearless side. I have to literally follow him everywhere because he just jumps off things. He goes on things. He has no fear.” Brie echoed the sentiment, describing Buddy as “my husband’s mini-me” with a penchant for wrestling moves at home.

Still, for all the speculation and hope, the question remains: was Brie’s appearance a one-time event, or is it the start of a new chapter for the Garcia Twins in WWE? As TMZ Sports and others have noted, talks in 2025 about Brie participating in WWE’s all-women premium live event “Evolution” never came to fruition, and it’s unclear whether her latest return signals a longer commitment. The sisters themselves have left the possibility open, with Nikki stating her desire to end her in-ring career alongside Brie.

For now, fans are left to savor the moment — the cheers, the eliminations, the twin magic, and the sense that, in wrestling, anything can happen. Whether or not the Garcia Twins chase tag team gold or simply enjoy one last run together, their legacy as trailblazers in women’s wrestling remains secure. The Royal Rumble may have answered some questions, but it’s sparked even more excitement about what comes next for Brie, Nikki, and the future of WWE’s women’s division.

As the dust settles in Riyadh and the WWE Universe buzzes with anticipation, one thing’s certain: Brie Garcia’s return was more than a cameo — it was a statement, a celebration, and, perhaps, the beginning of something even bigger.