Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked former WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella No.1 on their 2015 PWI Female 50 list.
“It’s an honor for me … In our industry, PWI is like our Sports Illustrated, our Forbes Magazine,” Bella said on the PWI podcast, which was transcribed by Inquisitr.com. “It truly is an honor to be number one. It’s a dream come true and it’s a huge accomplishment.”
“When I came into this industry over eight years ago, I was simply looked at as arm candy and it was like, ‘Oh, don’t worry. You don’t have to learn to wrestle that good’ and I was like, ‘No, that’s the reason why I’m here—because I want to be a wrestler. I don’t want to just be a Diva that’s on some guy’s arm or valeting them down to the ring…’ I wanted to be a female wrestler.”
“I didn’t come from the independents, and believe me I wish I did … For Brie and I—we were just ‘model tired.’ I was told to get a boob job, I was told to lose weight. Brie and I had a big struggle… Brie and I legit hopped in our cars, went to Georgia, jumped in a ring, and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to sign us. We want to be here.’ I know everyone thinks it was really easy for us, but it wasn’t.”
Nikki has since tweeted out the following:
Thank you @OfficialPWI for naming me #1 I truly feel as if I have won an Olympic gold medal! This achievement has made my past decade beyond
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
worth it! I know they’ll be haters but if they can’t see past the character that’s their problem. It’s just nice 2 b acknowledge 4 hard work — Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
& passion. I have battled every obstacle that’s been in my way & will continue that. WWE Universe perception was 1st. I’m a female wrestler
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
& passion. I have battled every obstacle that’s been in my way & will continue that. WWE Universe perception was 1st. I’m a female wrestler — Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
whether you like it or not. Thank you Brie 4 our match at HIAC, Paige for our title run, & Charlotte for NOC & HIAC. Unforgettable matches.
— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
This achievement goes 2 my FCW coaches, producers, the women that have shared the ring w/me & most importantly my Bella Army! Thx SO much! N — Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) November 4, 2015
