The Impact of Nikki Garcia’s Victory Over Charlotte Flair: She Was Never the Same

he Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie, played a pivotal role in transitioning WWE from the “Divas Era” to the “Give Divas a Chance” movement, which has improved the opportunities for women within the company.

Now known as the Garcia Twins, Nikki has made headlines in Hollywood, from her high-profile divorce following alleged domestic violence to her various successes on E! network reality shows.

One particular WWE moment that set Nikki on her path to widespread success was her achievement as the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion, a record she set by defeating Charlotte Flair.

To secure the title of longest-reigning champion, Garcia needed to overcome Flair in a match on “WWE Raw” in September 2015. With her twin Brie and Alicia Fox supporting her, Garcia faced Flair, who had Paige and Becky Lynch in her corner.

The match featured a strategic “Twin Magic” switch, with Brie substituting for Nikki in the ring. Flair, unaware of the switch, pinned Brie, mistakenly believing she had won.

Despite initial celebrations for Flair, Stephanie McMahon intervened to clarify that the title could not be won by pinning the wrong twin. Although Flair was declared the winner of the match, Garcia retained the championship, further solidifying her place in WWE history.

This victory not only surpassed AJ Lee’s previous record but also marked a peak in Garcia’s WWE career before a neck injury sidelined her for ten months. She made her return at SummerSlam in August 2016, where she, Natalya, and Alexa Bliss defeated Lynch, Naomi, and Carmella.

Garcia’s comeback included a storyline with then-partner John Cena leading up to WrestleMania 33, where they faced The Miz and Maryse.

The feud began when Maryse attacked Garcia backstage, escalating into a mixed-tag team match. At WrestleMania, Garcia and Cena emerged victorious, and Cena proposed to Garcia in a heartfelt moment captured on live television.

Following this, Garcia took time off but competed in the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble in 2018. Despite her successes on “Total Divas” and later “Total Bellas,” which aired from October 2016 to November 2020, her wrestling career faced interruptions due to a neck injury and subsequent cyst discovery.

Aside from wrestling, Garcia ventured into entrepreneurial endeavors with the launch of “Birdiebee” and “Nicole + Brizee,” as well as a podcast and a bestselling memoir. The Garcia twins also returned to WWE in 2018, teaming with Ronda Rousey before Garcia’s final singles match at Evolution.

Her in-ring career ended in June 2019 due to health issues, though she made a brief return for the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble. In March 2023, the twins announced their departure from WWE, rebranding themselves as the Garcia Twins and shifting focus to their various ventures.

Even outside of wrestling, Garcia remains active, hosting Blake Shelton’s game show “Barmageddon,” and other projects like “Twin Love” on Amazon and “Unfinished Beef” on Netflix.

With interest in AEW’s “forbidden door” policy and Danielson’s AEW World Championship, Garcia’s future in wrestling remains open, reflecting her continued impact and adaptability in the industry.