Nikki Bella makes surprise return at SummerSlam in place of Eva Marie
When the WWE announced a 30-day suspension for Eva Marie this week, the question naturally became who would replace the SmackDown superstar at SummerSlam's six-woman tag-team match.
On Sunday, we got our answer — and no, it wasn't Bayley, who lost in her NXT TakeOver match against Asuka on Saturday. Instead, Nikki Bella, who was recently cleared to return to the ring after missing time due to neck surgery, joined Natalya and Alexa Bliss against Carmella, Becky Lynch and Naomi:
SHE'S BACK! Nikki @BellaTwins is the third member for @NatbyNature and @AlexaBliss_WWE's team! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/RbbPj5DFms
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2016
CALL IT A COMEBACK! Nikki @BellaTwins is set for action at #SummerSlam! #YouCanLookButYouCantTouch pic.twitter.com/hAysrk4m5s
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2016
Bella received a tag several minutes into the match, hitting Carmella with a snap-suplex:
With the #SnapSuplex, Nikki @BellaTwins is OFFICIALLY back in action! #SummerSlam pic.twitter.com/tYxyWIm3u0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 22, 2016
And Bella ended up getting the win for her team with her trademark TKO:
What a moment as Nikki @BellaTwins pins @CarmellaWWE to seal the deal for her team! #SummerSlam #StayFearless pic.twitter.com/VX7JkpWPuj
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2016
Congratulations to Nikki @BellaTwins @NatbyNature and @AlexaBliss_WWE on the #SummerSlam victory! pic.twitter.com/GGPSK93xSb
— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2016
Of course, Eva Marie still had to make her presence known. Before Nikki came to the ring, Eva Marie's announcer teased a potential appearance:
Wait a minute...
— WWE SummerSlam (@SummerSlam) August 22, 2016
Can it be?! #SummerSlam #AllRedEverything pic.twitter.com/qU3l57amwj
According to the voice-over, Eva Marie is on vacation in the British Isles, which is one heck of a euphemism for serving her suspension.
Earlier in the night, Charlotte regained her WWE Women's Championship in a surprising victory over Sasha Banks after the Boss locked in the Bank Statement, only for Charlotte to roll through for a pin.
