Celebrity News

Nikki and Brie Bella leaving WWE, announce name change: ‘Next chapter’

The Bella Twins are laying the smackdown on their WWE careers.

Nikki and Brie Bella have announced their retirement from WWE — as well as a major name change.

The twin sisters announced the decision Tuesday, telling fans that they will now be known by their birth surnames, Nikki and Brie Garcia – or as The Garcia Twins.

“Today we are officially from here on out, the Garcia Twins, Brie, and Nikki Garcia,” Nikki said on Tuesday’s episode of “The Nikki & Brie Show” on SiriusXM.

Nikki and Brie Bella have announced their retirement from WWE — as well as a major name change. rondarousey/Instagram

“We’re going to be 40 in November, we’re mothers, we’re entrepreneurs, we’re executive producers, we’re starring now, we’re hosting shows,” added Nikki, who is older than Brie by 16 minutes.

The twins explained that when their contract with WWE came to an end, the pair “just knew it was time to head into this next chapter.”

“I just want to thank Brie Bella,” Brie said Tuesday.

“The character, the name, all of it that I have been the last 16, 17 years… I am so excited to close that chapter on Brie Bella, put that book to the side and open up a new one and see what Brie Garcia’s going to do next.”

The pair will now be known by their birth names, Nikki and Brie Garcia – or as The Garcia Twins. nikkigarcia/Instagram

The duo signed with WWE back in 2007 with Brie dazzling fans first in Aug. 2008.

Three months later, Nikki famously replaced her sister in the ring, which was later dubbed “Twin Magic.”

After the Bellas were released in 2012, they returned to WWE the following year.

The duo signed with WWE back in 2007 with Brie dazzling fans first in Aug. 2008. Getty Images

Meanwhile, the pair inked a major deal for the hit show “Total Divas,” during which Nikki earned her stripes as the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion.

Nikki and Brie later starred in their own spinoff, titled “Total Bellas,” which ran for six seasons between 2016 and 2021.

The pair was inducted into the WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2020.

The pair said they are “so excited” to see what the next chapter holds for them. briegarcia/Instagram

“I’m so beyond grateful for Nikki Bella,” Nikki said.

“She empowered me, she inspired me, she truly made me become fearless. And the road that she has paved, and what she’s done for women and the youth and will continue to do, just as Nikki Garcia.”

On Instagram, the pair shared a video of themselves opening a huge door and entering a building.

“Hi I’m Nikki Garcia, Hi I’m Brie Garcia. And we’re the Garcia Twins. 👯‍♀️ Welcome to our next chapter! 🦋✨🤍✨🦄🤩🥳🫶🏼🫶🏼🍷🥂🍾,” they wrote.

Nikki is married to “Dancing with the Stars” favorite Artem Chigvintsev and shares a son, Matteo.

Brie married fellow wrestling star Bryan Danielson in 2014.

The pair have two children, Birdie and Buddy.