Nikki Bella took a real-life rumor and turned it into must-see WWE television. During a live segment on Monday Night Raw in Philadelphia, the former Divas Champion offered the most direct public acknowledgment yet of the long-speculated romance between her and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean.
As Nikki and her sister Brie Bella entered the ring, the Philadelphia crowd erupted not with boos, but with a distinct chant: “Coop! Coop! Coop!” Brie quickly clarified the noise for the television audience, explaining the fans were chanting for Cooper DeJean.
Instead of ignoring or brushing off the very personal chant, Nikki leaned directly into the moment. She grabbed the microphone and addressed the speculation head-on with a confident, cheeky smile.
“Can you blame a girl for having good taste?” she asked the roaring crowd, before punctuating the comment with a celebratory, “Pro Bowl, baby!”—a clear reference to DeJean’s recent NFL honor.
The line drew a massive pop from the Philadelphia audience and marked a significant shift in how the former WWE star has handled the months of swirling dating rumors. While Bella and DeJean have been linked through event appearances and social media speculation for some time, neither had publicly confirmed anything on the record. This WWE segment, broadcast live to millions, served as Nikki’s clever, winking nod to the relationship, using the platform’s unique blend of reality and storyline to her advantage.
By acknowledging the chants and complimenting DeJean’s accolades, Bella effectively fueled the rumors while maintaining her trademark charismatic control of the moment. It was a masterclass in using real-life narrative to enhance a live broadcast, proving that some of the best drama in WWE often happens when the lines between personal life and performance blur. For fans following the rumor mill, Nikki’s question was as close to a confirmation as they’ve gotten—and she made sure it was delivered with a championship-worthy smile.
