Paige Sets Up Rematch With Nikki Bella For Oct. 16 SmackDown

Paige isn’t done with Nikki Bella. During the October 2 episode of SmackDown, the former Divas Champion confronted Bella backstage and laid out the terms for another one-on-one meeting between the two, with the follow-up match now set for the October 16 edition of the show.

The segment grew out of a backstage conversation involving WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green, who was discussing an upcoming storyline development when Paige inserted herself and turned her attention toward Bella. From there, Paige made it clear she wants to settle their rivalry again in the ring, putting Bella on notice for the SmackDown date two weeks out.

This is far from new territory for either performer. Paige and Nikki Bella have a long history dating back to the Divas Revolution era, when both were central figures in WWE’s push to elevate its women’s division beyond a prop for male storylines. Their rivalry helped define that period, and seeing it resurface now adds a nostalgic wrinkle to the current SmackDown women’s scene — especially with Chelsea Green holding the title and clearly positioned as a key piece of whatever angle sparked this latest confrontation.

What makes this notable is less about star power and more about timing. SmackDown’s women’s division has been busy building toward Money in the Bank-adjacent storylines, and inserting a Paige-Bella rematch into that mix suggests WWE creative sees value in blending legacy names with the newer stakes surrounding Green’s title reign. It’s a logical way to keep veteran names relevant while the build toward bigger spring and summer plans continues to take shape.

For Paige, in particular, this feud offers another chance to remind fans she’s still a presence worth tuning in for, even as her in-ring career has been defined by fits and starts due to past injury concerns. Getting back into a high-profile program with a name as recognizable as Bella’s is a strong way to stay featured on weekly television without needing to be positioned directly in the title picture.

As for Bella, the challenge puts her in a reactive spot heading into the next two weeks of build. Whether she accepts on her own terms, pushes back against Paige’s demand, or gets pulled further into whatever angle Chelsea Green was already working on, the October 16 show now has an obvious hook for anyone who grew up watching these two trade shots during the Total Divas boom years.

Expect WWE to use the next couple of SmackDown episodes to flesh out exactly how Green’s championship status ties into the Paige-Bella dynamic, and whether this turns into a straightforward rematch or the opening chapter of something bigger heading toward Money in the Bank season.