WWE star Nikki Bella announces retirement from wrestling, wants to focus on thriving business

getty_032519_nikkibella
getty_032519_nikkibella

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — After almost a dozen years in the ring, Nikki Bella has decided to walk away from pro wrestling and focus on her blossoming business, among other ventures.

The former WWE champion, reality star and actress broke the news on her show, “Total Divas,” Sunday night.

After going on a big European tour, Bella told her family at dinner that the travel was “really, really rough.”

“I realized, ‘Why am I doing this … I don’t feel good,'” she adds. “I really am read to hang up the jersey.”

Bella has broken down barriers inside and outside the wrestling ring. She also mentioned how well the women of wrestling are doing now, which might make walking away and hanging up her wrestling boots a little easier for her.

Her sister Brie retired recently as well and supported her sister in last night’s episode, saying, “You can hang [your boots] right next to mine.”

Nikki and Brie have several professional collaborations together, including a YouTube channel, their own wine label and a clothing brand for active women.

Also on the finale, Bella finally confirmed rumors that she had been dating her “Dancing with the Stars” partner, Artem Chigvintsev.

She posted a sweet pic kissing the Russian dancer after the episode aired. This is big news as it’s one of her first public relationships after her split from former fiance John Cena.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.