Brie Bella has tempered expectations for a WWE in-ring return in Sacramento, confirming that she has not yet been medically cleared to wrestle following the shoulder injury she suffered at SummerSlam.
The WWE Hall of Famer addressed her recovery during a recent solo edition of The Nikki & Brie Show, where she explained that she had received the results of a new round of scans. While Brie stressed that her recovery remains on track, the scans showed that her bones have not fused yet, meaning a return to action is not imminent.
“So, on the solo episode, I told you guys all that I just got back from my scans. Well, the results came in, and unfortunately, my bones have not fused,” Brie said. “So, that’s okay. It’s really three months where they feel like the bones would be fused. I’m still on the right path of healing and still all the things.”
Brie was injured during SummerSlam, where The Bella Twins reunited with Paige against Fatal Influence. That match carried major consequences beyond the injury itself, as Brie and Nikki Bella turned on their former tag team partner Paige. The angle has since put Nikki and Paige on a collision course, while Brie’s physical status has become an important factor in what comes next for the reunited twins.
For more background on this topic, read Carmelo Hayes Aligns With 946 as Raw Ends in Chaos for The Bloodline.
With WWE SmackDown set for Sacramento, California, Brie made clear that fans should not interpret her potential presence in the building as a sign that she has been cleared for competition. She indicated that she may attend the show alongside her mother, but her role would be as a spectator supporting Nikki rather than an active WWE performer.
“So, if you see me pull into Sacramento with my mom, please don’t assume I’m wrestling,” Brie said. “But so I think I will be there watching you [Nikki].”
Brie Bella’s Recovery Timeline Remains Ongoing
Brie’s latest update provides needed clarity after she previously identified October 1 as a significant point in her rehabilitation. At that stage, she said she expected to be able to start working out again, creating optimism that an in-ring return could be getting closer. The latest scan results show that the process is taking longer than initially hoped, even as Brie continues to describe her healing as progressing in the right direction.
The key issue is not whether Brie plans to return, but whether her body has reached the point where WWE competition would be safe. Her statement that the bones have not fused underscores why the company will not rush her back into matches. A shoulder injury can be especially limiting for a wrestler, given the frequency of falls, throws, holds, strikes, and impact on the upper body during a match. Until the healing process advances to the necessary medical benchmark, Brie will remain out of action.
That does not mean her involvement with the Bella Twins’ current WWE story has to disappear. Her expected attendance at SmackDown leaves open the possibility of Brie being present in a non-wrestling capacity, though she specifically cautioned fans not to expect her to compete. For now, the focus will be on her continued recovery and on watching Nikki carry the in-ring side of the storyline.
Brie’s wording also offered a measure of reassurance. She did not characterize the setback as a new injury or suggest that her comeback plans have been abandoned. Instead, she framed the news as part of a healing timeline that has not yet reached the three-month stage at which fusion is expected. That distinction matters: Brie remains on the recovery path, but she is not yet at the point of medical clearance.
Nikki Bella Returns to Face Paige on SmackDown
While Brie will not be wrestling on this week’s SmackDown, Nikki Bella is scheduled for a high-profile singles match against Paige. It will be Nikki’s first match since the SummerSlam contest that ended with the Bella Twins turning on Paige.
The match gives Paige a direct opportunity to confront one half of the team that betrayed her, while Nikki enters with the support of her sister even if Brie cannot be at ringside in an active wrestling role. The history between all three women gives the bout added weight. They were partners at SummerSlam, and the fallout from that alliance breaking down has quickly become the defining issue for each of them.
For Nikki, facing Paige alone creates a different challenge than the one presented by their tag match at SummerSlam. There will be no Bella Twins combination inside the ropes, and Paige will have the chance to target the emotional and strategic fractures caused by Brie’s absence from competition. At the same time, Nikki will be looking to prove that the turn at SummerSlam was not simply an opportunistic moment made possible by numbers.
Paige, meanwhile, goes into Sacramento with a clear grievance. The SummerSlam betrayal ended their partnership and put her directly opposite two of WWE’s most recognizable Hall of Famers. A victory over Nikki would give Paige momentum in the rivalry and potentially force further questions about how Brie might fit into the situation once she is medically cleared.
What Brie’s Absence Means for The Bella Twins
The Bella Twins’ reunion at SummerSlam was supposed to be a major moment, pairing Brie and Nikki together in a WWE ring alongside Paige. Instead, Brie’s shoulder injury and the post-match turn have shifted the direction of the story. Nikki is now moving forward in singles competition, while Brie is forced to watch and recover rather than take part physically.
That separation may make Brie’s eventual return even more significant. The Bella Twins have built their legacy around their partnership, and their current angle has again tied their paths together. But WWE’s immediate plans must account for the fact that only Nikki is cleared to wrestle. Any escalation involving Brie will have to wait until her medical condition changes.
For fans hoping to see Brie get involved at SmackDown in Sacramento, her own comments are the most important takeaway. She may be in the audience. She may be there with her mother. She may be there to support Nikki in a major match against Paige. But she has explicitly said not to assume that an appearance means she will wrestle.
That message is particularly notable because Sacramento could understandably inspire speculation. A hometown-style reception, a family appearance, and a match involving Nikki and Paige all create the kind of circumstances in which audiences may expect a surprise. Brie has moved quickly to set realistic expectations, placing the emphasis on recovery rather than a sudden return.
Patience Is the Priority
Brie Bella’s update is ultimately one of patience. The former champion is still healing, still working toward the next phase of her recovery, and still aligned with Nikki as the Bella Twins’ rivalry with Paige continues. However, the medical process has not reached the point where she can safely resume wrestling.
Her planned presence in Sacramento, if she attends, would give Nikki an important source of support before a pivotal showdown with Paige. It would also ensure that Brie remains connected to the WWE story without risking further damage to an injury that has not fully healed.
For now, Nikki Bella will represent the twins in the ring on SmackDown. Brie Bella will be watching, recovering, and waiting for the scans to show that her body is ready for the next step.
In pictures
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.