Full Breakdown
WWE Rumors: Nikki Bella's Injury and WrestleMania 42 Ticket Sales
3/31/2026, 9:39:25 PM
Nikki Bella's Injury Update
Nikki Bella sustained an ankle injury during a recent match on SmackDown, where she teamed with her sister Brie Bella against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Following the match, Bella was attacked by Nia Jax and Lash Legend, leading to her being checked by a referee. Mike Johnson from PWInsider.com reported that Bella likely rolled her left ankle during an exchange with Charlotte Flair. As of now, the severity of the injury remains unclear, and Bella was notably absent during a subsequent gathering of wrestlers in the ring. This injury raises questions about her participation in WrestleMania 42, where there is currently no scheduled women's tag team title match, although a Triple Threat match could be a potential outcome if Bella is unable to compete.
WrestleMania 42 Ticket Sales
As WrestleMania 42 approaches, ticket sales have reportedly fallen short of expectations, prompting WWE to offer discounts to fill Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. According to Dave Meltzer, ticket sales for the event currently stand at 39,866 for April 18 and 41,330 for April 19, which is approximately 13.3% behind last year's figures. However, this is an improvement from the 18% deficit noted earlier in the sales cycle. Meltzer anticipates that WWE will ultimately achieve an attendance of over 50,000, potentially matching or slightly exceeding last year's numbers, which saw 58,538 fans on Night 1 and 60,103 on Night 2.
Gunther's WrestleMania Status
In related news, Gunther, who has been positioned as a formidable competitor in WWE, was initially slated to face Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. However, with Mysterio recovering from a rib injury, Gunther's match status is uncertain. WWE has confirmed other major bouts, including Brock Lesnar's match against Oba Femi and Jacob Fatu's clash with Drew McIntyre, but leaving Gunther off the card would not be ideal for the event's lineup.
Criticism & Opposition
While WWE's ticket sales strategy aims to boost attendance, some fans express concern over the need for discounts, questioning the overall appeal of WrestleMania 42 compared to previous years. The absence of a women's tag team title match, particularly if Bella's injury sidelines her, has also drawn criticism regarding the event's inclusivity and representation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The belief among those we spoke with is that Bella rolled her left ankle during an exchange with Charlotte Flair,” — Mike Johnson, PWInsider.com
- “Right now after the latest sale, WrestleMania in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium has 39,866 for 4/18 and 41,330 for 4/19,” — Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
What's Next
As WrestleMania 42 draws closer, WWE will need to finalize match cards and address Bella's injury status. The company is likely to continue its promotional efforts to ensure a strong turnout, while fans will be watching closely for updates on Gunther's potential match and the overall event lineup.
