Imagine the electric tension in the arena as two wrestling icons collide: could Nikki Bella's legendary status finally topple the unstoppable Stephanie Vaquer at WWE Survivor Series 2025? This showdown had fans on the edge of their seats, blending old-school grit with fresh athletic prowess.
The WWE (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/wwe) Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 was a spectacle packed with high-stakes action, including intense championship bouts in both the men's and women's WarGames matches. For those new to WWE, WarGames is a brutal team-based format where competitors battle inside a double-ring cage, but here it built up to individual title defenses that stole the show. Kicking things off with major drama, John Cena – in what many believe is his penultimate in-ring appearance before hanging up his boots – put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against the cunning Dominik Mysterio in the event's second bout. Cena's farewell tour has been emotional, drawing massive crowds eager to see the 16-time world champion one more time.
But once the men had the audience roaring, it was the women's division that truly captured the spotlight. Stephanie Vaquer, the fierce defender of the WWE Women's World Championship, faced off against her once-trusted ally turned bitter rival, Nikki Bella. The betrayal happened just weeks earlier on 'Monday Night Raw,' where Nikki turned on Vaquer in a shocking twist that left fans buzzing. Vaquer has dominated the main roster over the past year, highlighted by her hard-fought title victory and consistent wins that have solidified her as a cornerstone of women's wrestling. On the flip side, Nikki Bella made a triumphant return as a WWE Hall of Famer and former two-time Divas Champion, bringing her wealth of experience and fan-favorite charisma. Many observers thought this matchup was perfectly balanced, giving Nikki the edge of veteran savvy to challenge Vaquer in what was the night's second-to-last contest.
Read more: Nikki Bella Teases Brie Bella Returning to WWE (https://www.newsweek.com/sports/wrestling/nikki-bella-teases-brie-bella-returning-to-wwe-11130381)
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In a fiery pre-match interview, Nikki laid it all out with passion: "This isn't just about that Women's World Championship belt; it's about legacy, and you're going to honor mine. You think you'll crush me tonight? Sorry, mamacita, but I'm the one who's going to leave you humiliated," she declared (https://x.com/WWE/status/1994899642727706985?s=20). Nikki's words echoed her frustration, demanding the respect she's earned over years in the spotlight.
Yet, as Nikki soon discovered, the WWE main roster is evolving with a new wave of incredibly skilled performers. As Vaquer made her entrance, commentators highlighted that 'La Primera' – her nickname meaning 'The First' – has racked up more victories than any other woman on the roster this year, showcasing her relentless drive and technical mastery.
And this is the part most people miss: while Nikki unleashed some solid attacks, pulling from her classic arsenal of moves like powerful slams and submissions, it wasn't enough to overcome Vaquer's precision. For beginners, offense in wrestling means the aggressive moves a wrestler uses to control the match, and Nikki certainly tried to dictate the pace. But late in the bout, Vaquer struck with a devastating Meteor double knee – essentially leaping from the top rope to drive both knees into her opponent's chest while they're trapped in the corner. Nikki cleverly countered by grabbing Vaquer's leg and yanking her down, following up with her signature Rack Attack, a spine-rattling lift-and-drop maneuver that nearly secured the three-count pin.
However, Vaquer, ever the strategist, smartly draped her foot over the bottom rope – a common wrestling tactic to stop the referee's pin count at two, keeping her in the fight.
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The action spilled outside moments later, with Vaquer delivering a thunderous knee strike to Nikki's neck right on the ring apron, that elevated platform around the ring. She then dragged Nikki to the announce table – the desk where commentators sit – and unleashed a punishing Devil's Kiss, a high-impact slam that's become Vaquer's calling card, often leaving opponents dazed. Back in the ring, after a tense exchange of stinging slaps that fired up the crowd, Vaquer seized control once more. She hit another Devil's Kiss to wear Nikki down, then climbed the turnbuckle for a breathtaking corkscrew splash – twisting through the air like a human drill to crash onto her foe – sealing the victory with a decisive pinfall.
This win comes after Nikki's earlier heartbreak at Clash in Paris, where she fell short in her bid to capture the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch. But here's where it gets controversial: is Nikki's comeback run in WWE more about nostalgia than innovation, or does her experience add the perfect spark to elevate rising stars like Vaquer? Despite the setback, the Hall of Famer shows no signs of slowing down; she's clearly hungry for one more title to cap off her impressive return.
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For more about the WWE and professional wrestling (https://www.newsweek.com/topic/professional-wrestling), visit Newsweek Sports (https://www.newsweek.com/sports).
What do you think – should WWE book more dream matches like this between veterans and newcomers, or is it time to let the new generation shine solo? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're Team Nikki or Team Vaquer!
