To start your career in the Diva Search Era and to grow up to an Iconic Superstar, that is a high and hard road to success. Especially in biggest and greatest wrestling promotion in the world. The Bella Twins are the latest example for the beauties who turned into Legends.
Now when they are retiring we owe them one post, that expresses our gratitude, because we grow up with them and to appreciate them!
FROM TWIN MAGIC TO DIVAS CHAMPIONS
I can still remember that first match, where Brie faced Victoria and then crawled under the ring for 'refreshment'. It was one of the nicest, funny and fresh ideas, that WWE has ever come up with. And several SmackDown episodes later, when the secret was revealed, we were excited: Wow! Identical Twins, where is that going?
It went to several titles reigns, mostly with ruined Twin Magic-attempts, being in a heated heel gimmick at the time of the victories. Actually, the villainesses role suited the Bellas far better than the face role. They were brilliant heels and can join the ranks of the likes of Lay-Cool, Evil Trish, Molly, Victoria, Ivory, and Melina.
Their simple place-switch move becomes a trademark and a form of doom, for many of their opponents. Even years later, when they were not that identical, anymore, they were able to fool Paige and the referee, to retain the title belt.
As champions, Nikki's reign is kind of more memorable than Brie's. It was the longest and it involves many really talented and deserving women, who were in the company. Brie's Divas Championship holding was in an era where then-Divas, struggled to find any appreciation by the company. They were cuties, who were supposed to wear tiny attires and to distract fans, between several man's matches. Their skills and in-ring talent was somehow thrown backside. So back there, Brie's title reign and loss to Kelly Kelly was the memorable end of the reign. (WRITERS' NOTE: I remember how Brie won and it was entertaining and established her villainous persona, but I really don't remember her title defenses until Kelly's Vote of the People title opportunity).
Sorry, I am really a total Brie-fan, before I started to appreciate Nikki, as well. Brie had a lot more important career moments without the butterfly-coveted belt. She is a stunning athlete and her in-ring style is really entertaining with its mix of classic and submission wrestling moves. Even her finisher - the facebuster, which is kind of classic move for women, was a piece of art when she did it. The moment when she became Divas Champion wasn't that good. It was kind of bad timing.
Nikki's first Divas title reign was really, more intensive. She defeated Beth Phoenix (for me it was kayfabe injury) and then The Twin Magic turned on her when she lost to Layla, who was making her in-ring return at the time. Brie lost the title. The rematch was Triple Threat, short and they left WWE.
Nikki's second reign was her historical long-run with the belt. She was a heel again, after her rivalry with Brie, who turned heel, to help Nikki to win the belt (from AJ). During the second reign, we had a fully improved as a wrestler and character Bella Twin. Of course, the shadows of her then-boyfriend (John Cena) tried to be an obstacle, but come on - she accomplished everything on her own. She retained that title, taking as many bumps as she can, even sacrificing her health for the business.
LEGACY
I can add the Bella Twins next to the long list of talented women who helped to build the set for the Evolution. They were part of the new jumpstart of the revolution in the women's wrestling scene.
The Bella Twins did what Trish Stratus and many women hired for their beauty at the beginning did - they showed us and WWE that they are more. That they can overgrowth the limits of the 'bimbo character' and contributed to the development of the women's wrestling with better gimmicks and in-ring performance. They evolve constantly.
Brie, aside from her 70 days title reign, gave us a lot of great rivalries (like with AJ, Stephanie McMahon, and her own sister). She gave us a lot of competitive, filled with desire matches.
Nikki showed us that one person can grow, can learn and can become better than herself showing us a constant desire for progress in her career as a pro wrestler. She demonstrated her devotion by overcoming an odd injury to return to WWE.
The Bellas legacy is undoubtful, ultimate and unforgettable. They were part of the change and somehow the change in WWE, next to many others. They will shine brightly in our memories with their accomplishments and their love for the business.
Farewell, girls and good luck in your future endeavors!
