Nikki Bella Addresses Cooper DeJean Chants During WWE Raw Return Amidst Viral Dating Speculation
WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella faced a raucous Philadelphia crowd during her return to Monday Night Raw, directly responding to chants linking her to Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean. The interaction occurred during an in-ring segment with her twin sister Brie Bella, following their surprise participation in the Royal Rumble. As the audience began chanting “Coop,” Nikki initially appeared confused, questioning if the reaction was directed at the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent performance or the Bella Twins themselves.
Brie Bella quickly clarified the situation, informing her sister that the fans were chanting the nickname of the 22-year-old NFL player. Nikki immediately leaned into the moment, playfully engaging with the speculation regarding her personal life. “Can you blame a girl for having good taste? I mean, Pro Bowl, baby,” Nikki told the crowd, referencing DeJean’s recent professional accolades. The comment drew a significant reaction from the local audience, who have been tracking the rumored romance since late 2025.
Speculation surrounding the pair began circulating in December when Nikki, 42, was spotted attending Eagles games wearing DeJean’s number 33 jersey. Social media posts showing her posing near DeJean’s locker further fueled the rumors. Reports from outlets like TMZ have suggested the two are “casually dating” and that there is a mutual attraction, though neither party has officially confirmed a serious relationship.
Despite the playful on-air acknowledgement, Nikki recently stated in an interview that she remains single following her divorce from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, which was finalized in late 2024. When pressed about her dating life at a Philadelphia airport earlier this week, she admitted she is “having fun” but emphasized her single status.
The rumors have sparked online debate largely due to the 20-year age gap between the wrestling icon and the NFL rookie. While some fans have criticized the pairing, Nikki appeared unbothered during the broadcast, using the local rumors to generate heat for the Bella Twins’ potential pursuit of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. DeJean, a rising star for the Eagles, has not publicly commented on the nature of their relationship.
clutchpoints.com
heavy.com
fightful.com
reddit.com
khansirhospital.in
youtube.com
ringsidenews.com
