Nikki Bella is welcoming the attention surrounding her latest WWE run, saying she was the most searched performer following last week’s SmackDown.

Speaking on The Nikki and Brie Show, Bella reflected on the reaction to her appearance in Corpus Christi, where she responded to comments Chelsea Green had made on Watch What Happens Live the previous evening.

“Chelsea was on Watch What Happens Live, and I got brought up when she was on the show. So when I got to do that Friday night, I just wanted to incorporate what she said about me,” Bella said. “I loved it, because some people on Twitter got it, some didn’t, of course. But some people were like, ‘Oh s***, she just literally threw back exactly what she said about Nikki the night before.'”

For Bella, the biggest encouragement came from the fans inside the arena. She believes their reaction showed support for her pursuit of championship gold.

“But that Corpus Christi crowd was so amazing. They really want me to have the title, Brie,” Bella said. “The fans cheered super loud. They were excited about it, because you know about live reactions. That’s what we go by.”

Bella also claimed she topped the search interest coming out of the show, ahead of everyone else who appeared.

“I was like the most searched person. It’s always good and bad, of course. But even over the guys, I was number one from Friday Night SmackDown,” Bella said.

While her title ambitions have attracted plenty of discussion, Bella said she avoids reading the online responses and is happy for people to keep talking.

“I don’t even look, because I don’t put that in my energy field,” Bella said. “I’m sure there was a ton of like, oh my gosh, don’t tell me, 2026 Nikki Bella is going for the title. That’s like always. It’s like, actually, you’re talking about it, so yeah, I am. You’re welcome.”

She also addressed what she sees as people exaggerating their criticism for attention.

“You know how they exaggerate their feelings, because they feel like they get five stars if they bash me,” Bella said. “A girl did a video about it, and I loved it, just about the forced hate against me, which we always talk about. But I don’t care. Keep talking.”

When Brie encouraged listeners to continue watching SmackDown, Nikki had a message of her own.

“Keep talking about me, because I’m loving these numbers and it helps,” Bella said.

Nikki also praised the Bella Army, mentioning an online claim that it was the biggest female fanbase in wrestling worldwide. However, she could not identify where that claim had originated.

Green currently holds the championship Bella is chasing. She defeated Nia Jax in her first defence on the September 11 episode of SmackDown in Mexico City, the same night WWE removed the title’s interim designation.

Bella and Green already have history, with Nikki winning their singles match on Raw in July. Green has also spoken about enjoying their rivalry.

Away from that championship pursuit, Bella has been enjoying her comedy segments and social media videos with Jax. The pair have even discussed recreating some familiar moments from the Bellas’ Total Divas days.

“I had so much fun with Nia. We traveled together and had a lot of fun with her,” Bella said. “We’re like, we’re just gonna start to do Total Divas, or Total Divas era Bellas, like you and me fights. She goes, we’re just gonna start to reenact them every week.”

Bella teased more videos without revealing what they have planned.

“We already have a lot of fun, but I’m not gonna tell you what we have kind of planned for the next one,” Bella said. “Nia is just so funny, and she’s so good at it.”

Brie, who was portrayed by Jax in one of the clips, admitted it took her a moment to realise who Jax was impersonating.

“It was funny because when I first heard it, I’m like, whose voice is that? And then I was like, oh my gosh, is that me?” Brie said.

Nikki also praised Lil Yachty for getting his part right in a single take during one of the videos.

The sisters joked about launching a petition to Triple H to make Nikki champion, but Nikki finished by stressing the effort she is putting into her return.

“But also, I am working really hard,” Nikki said.