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WWE star Nikki Bella retires from wrestling

Nikki Bella has announced her retirement from wrestling after 12 years in the ring.

The WWE star confirmed the news on the season finale of her reality TV series Total Bellas on Sunday night (24Mar19).

“The (European) tour was good but I feel like I’m too old for the travel, the travel was really rough,” she said. “I was like, ‘Why am I doing this? I don’t feel good.’ The girls are doing amazing things over there. I really am ready to hang up the jersey, I can say it fully.”

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Nikki’s decision comes after her twin sister Brie, with whom she worked as The Bella Twins, officially declared her plans to retire from wrestling earlier this month.

The 35-year-old, whose last televised match saw her lose against Ronda Rousey last October, is now planning to turn her attention to other business interests, such as a clothing brand and wine label.

“Being on the European tour, I’ve had a lot of time to think,” she explained. “Just how my body feels, being away from my company, how time-consuming this is.

“It’s making me realise, I’m ready to fold the jersey and put it away. I’m ready to put the kicks aside and I’m ready to take Nikki Bella into a different direction.”

Nikki, who split from fiance John Cena in April 2018, is also planning to launch a podcast.

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