WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella recently spoke with Mark Madden on 105.9 in Pittsburgh. They discussed AJ Lee's WWE return, the 30-second RAW match that led to "#GiveDivasAChance" trending and more. Thanks to Diva-Dirt for the following highlights:
AJ Lee's comments about Divas pay:
"We're all here because we're living our dreams. Whether it's two minutes or twenty minutes on TV, I'm beyond grateful for that, because there are millions of people that wish they could get two minutes in that ring, and they can't, so I'm not going to be one to b---h about it. But do I think Divas should definitely get more time on TV? 100%. But do I think pay is different? No."
Divas not having the star power to make money like John Cena, Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar:
"Let me put it this way: if a Diva was to headline a show, would those seats sell out like it does when John Cena's headlining? Roman Reigns? Brock Lesnar? Absolutely not. We're not there yet. We're trying to get there, but we're not there yet. As far as merch goes, we all get the same percentage, so I don't know why anyone's crying about it. We all make the exact same percentage, so it's like, sell more merch if you wanna be like the guys. At the end of the day, we're in a man's world. People show up to watch men wrestle, and they look at us the 'pretty things on the side', but I think slowly, we're changing people's minds about that. It's not gonna happen overnight, but eventually we're gonna get there. We just need patience and time."
Who came up with the 30-second RAW match that led to #GiveDivasAChance trending:
"What's funny about that is we were given about three minutes. Three to four minutes. And we – us four girls who were in the match – we put our heads together and said look: we can either give them a two minute match, or we can give them nothing and get Brie and I so much heat and tell a great story…We're not gonna give people three minutes of BS, and it ended up being a big chance. It ended up turning into #GiveDivasAChance trending worldwide for two days. I mean, we could've gone out there, done a few moves and called it a day, but we were like, 'How do we tell a great story?' and at the end of the day, that's what we did. Brie and I got good heat at the end of it, we got trended for two days straight, and it was like, 'Whoa. We're storytelling now.' And that's what puts the Divas on the next level. Instead of just going out there and doing moves, we storytell. 'Cause that's what the boys do, and that's what we need to do."
What did you say about her not being delusional? If a throwaway match that all I even remember from it is being 30 seconds long is considered a great segment by the people involved then I'm flabbergasted.How do we tell a great story?' and at the end of the day, that's what we did.
And not once did Nikki say she didn't want the women's division to prosper and raise the bar. Try again.And no offense to Nikki, but some of the other girls actually want to reach the highest ceiling they can in their career (like everyone) and aspire more than just being okay with banging John Cena, Total Divas, expensive clothes, and holding the butterfly belt without actually having time to show WHY you've earned that belt.
So she's less self-centred than AJ because she doesn't give much of a shit about the division and is 'satisfied' with 2 mins of TV time per week?
I'm not following. From this interview I get the impression that she just wants to get paid and leave tbh. That whole thing about "telling a good story" with a 30 second match is BS and it didn't get them any heat at all, it just made people upset with WWE management.
I will be the first person to admit that I don't really like Nikki Bella and her comically fake tits but this is cynicism for cynicism's sake. All I read from her comments is that the women are not on the recognition level of the men yet. Would you really disagree with that? If yes, that's a blinkered and irrational view.She just telling us she is too lazy to fight for the Diva Division
Last year: Nikki says she believes divas can main event a PPV: "WHAT A DUMB BITCH! SHE'S SO DAMN DELUSIONAL IF SHE THINKS THAT WILL EVER HAPPEN"
fpalmThis year: Nikki says it will take time before divas can become draws like the guys: "WHAT A DUMB BITCH! SHE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT HERSELF!"
Let me put it this way: if a Diva was to headline a show, would those seats sell out like it does when John Cena's headlining? Roman Reigns? Brock Lesnar?
The diva marks on here are becoming unbearable.
"Let me put it this way: if a Diva was to headline a show, would those seats sell out like it does when John Cena's headlining? Roman Reigns? Brock Lesnar? Absolutely not. We're not there yet. We're trying to get there, but we're not there yet. As far as merch goes, we all get the same percentage, so I don't know why anyone's crying about it. We all make the exact same percentage, so it's like, sell more merch if you wanna be like the guys. At the end of the day, we're in a man's world. People show up to watch men wrestle, and they look at us the 'pretty things on the side', but I think slowly, we're changing people's minds about that. It's not gonna happen overnight, but eventually we're gonna get there. We just need patience and time."