You remember the hair pull? That classic moment where one twin would dive under the ring, and the other would pop up, looking suspiciously refreshed, to steal the win? That was "Twin Magic." It was campy, it was brilliant, and honestly, it’s exactly how Nikki Bella and Brie Bella cemented themselves as the most polarizing yet successful women in wrestling history.
But if you still think of them as just "The Bella Twins," you’re living in 2015.
A lot has changed. Like, a lot. For starters, they aren’t even "Bellas" anymore, at least not legally or professionally in most spaces. In 2023, they dropped the stage names that made them famous and reintroduced themselves as the Garcia Twins—Nikki and Brie Garcia. It wasn't just a branding tweak; it was a full-blown declaration of independence after their WWE contracts expired. They wanted to own their names. They wanted to own their future.
The Rebrand: From Bellas to Garcia Twins
So, why the name change? Most people assumed it was some messy fallout with WWE. While there was definitely some friction—Nikki has been pretty vocal about feeling like the "Diva" era wasn't always respected by the company—the move to become the Garcia Twins was mostly about growth. They spent nearly 17 years as characters.
"I am so excited to close that chapter on Brie Bella," Brie said on their podcast when the news broke. She talked about putting that book to the side to see what Brie Garcia could actually do.
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It’s a bold move. Most celebrities cling to their stage names because that’s where the SEO value lives. But the Garcias? They’ve always been about the long game. They traded the ring for the boardroom, and honestly, it’s working. They’ve built a literal empire that includes their wine label, Bonita Bonita, and their clothing line, Birdiebee.
What’s Happening Right Now (2026 Update)
If you haven't checked in on them lately, the twins are busier than ever. Nikki actually made a massive splash in early 2025 by returning to the WWE at the Royal Rumble. She even brought back the "Bella" name for that run, because let’s be real, you can’t have a legacy return without the legacy name.
The Current Buzz
- Nikki’s Personal Life: It’s been a rollercoaster. After her split from Artem Chigvintsev, the tabloids have been on fire. Lately, there’s been a ton of talk about her and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean. They’ve been spotted on dates, and while Nikki is keeping things somewhat low-key for her son Matteo’s sake, the spark is definitely there.
- The Podcast: The Nikki & Brie Show is basically their home base now. It’s raw. They talk about everything from "biohacking" and IV drips to the struggles of co-parenting. It’s not just fluff; it’s where they "kill the rumors" that the gossip sites start.
- Business Growth: Their Napa Valley speakeasy for Bonita Bonita is officially a hotspot. They moved to Napa years ago to be "among the vines," and they’ve turned a hobby into a high-end brand that actually gets respect from wine critics, not just wrestling fans.
Why People Still Get the "Diva" Era Wrong
There’s this weird narrative that Nikki and Brie were just "models who wrestled." That’s a total myth. Nikki Bella holds the record for the longest reign as the Divas Champion at 301 days. You don't get that kind of longevity by just showing up and looking pretty.
She worked through a literal broken neck. She learned the "Fearless Lock" and changed her entire power-based style to keep up with the "Four Horsewomen" during the Women’s Revolution. Brie, on the other hand, was the heart of the duo. Her "Brie Mode" persona and her ability to connect with the audience made her the perfect foil to Nikki’s more aggressive, "Fearless" character.
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They were the bridge. They existed in that awkward gap between the "bra and panties" matches of the early 2000s and the serious athleticism of today. Without the eyes they brought to the product through Total Divas, it's debatable if the women's division would have received the investment it did.
Life in Napa: The Reality of Being a Garcia
Being a twin is their superpower, but 2026 is about their individual identities. Brie is leaning hard into the "crunchy mom" lifestyle. She’s raising her kids, Birdie and Buddy, with husband Bryan Danielson (the AEW star) in a way that feels very grounded. She’s into nature, "romanticizing rest," and slowing down.
Nikki is the high-energy one. She’s hosting shows like Celebrity Beast Games and acting as the Grand Marshal for the Fiesta Bowl. She’s always been the one more comfortable in the bright lights of Hollywood.
Despite the different vibes, they are still inseparable. They live near each other, they work together, and they still finish each other's sentences. It’s that twin connection that makes their podcast work. You feel like you’re sitting at a bar with two friends who have zero filters.
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Essential Facts You Might Have Missed
- The Soccer Background: Before WWE, Nikki was a beast on the soccer field. She played for Grossmont College and was even being scouted for professional leagues in Italy. That’s where her athleticism comes from.
- The Hall of Fame: They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. It was a massive validation for a career that many "hardcore" fans tried to dismiss for years.
- The Kids: Nikki’s son Matteo and Brie’s son Buddy were born only one day apart in 2020. If that isn’t peak "Twin Magic," nothing is.
Moving Forward with the Garcia Legacy
If you want to keep up with Nikki and Brie, the best way is to stop looking for them in a wrestling ring and start looking at them as lifestyle moguls. They’ve successfully transitioned from being "the girls on TV" to the women running the show.
What to do next:
- Listen to the Podcast: If you want the unfiltered truth about the rumors, The Nikki & Brie Show drops every Monday and Thursday.
- Check the Wine: If you’re in Napa, the Bonita Bonita tasting room is a must-visit. It’s got a "feminine speakeasy" vibe that’s actually pretty cool.
- Watch the Reruns: Honestly, Total Bellas still holds up as some of the best reality TV from that era. It gives context to the name change and the family dynamics that drive them today.
The Bella name might be what put them on the map, but the Garcia name is what’s going to keep them there. They aren't just former wrestlers; they are a case study in how to own your brand, survive the tabloids, and come out on top without losing your soul—or your sister—in the process.
To stay truly updated on their latest business moves, keep an eye on their social channels where they regularly announce new Birdiebee drops and Bonita Bonita releases. Their transition into the "wellness and wine" space is far from over, and with Nikki's recent return to the spotlight, the Garcia era is just getting started.