Following a gripping match on December 29, 2023, episode of WWE RAW, Nikki Bella took the opportunity to clarify the distinctiveness of her submission move, the Fearless Lock, compared to John Cena’s well-known STF. The match saw Bella competing against Stephanie Vaquer and Raquel Rodriguez for the Women’s World Championship, but it was the moment Bella executed her move that sparked a wave of “Thank You Cena!” chants from the audience.
In a recent episode of the Nikki & Brie Show, Bella reflected on the match and the fan reactions, emphasizing that her Fearless Lock is rooted in her own training and experience. “I think people forgot, not everyone, but I used to do the Fearless Lock,” Bella stated, highlighting that the move predates her relationship with Cena. She elaborated, “Yes, it was during a period of time when John and I were together, but the Fearless Lock is different from his submission, it really is.”
The inspiration for the Fearless Lock came from her collaboration with fellow wrestlers, including Shayna Baszler, who taught her various legitimate techniques during her recovery from a broken neck. Bella explained, “The Fearless Lock is a legit submission Shayna gave me. We named it the Fearless Lock because of Fearless Nikki.” She further mentioned how her training sessions with Baszler and others at the Performance Center contributed to her development of this unique move.
Bella addressed the crowd’s reaction during the match, recalling, “I wasn’t expecting anything with John, so when they started chanting, ‘Thank you Cena,’ the old Nikki came alive, ‘Thank me!’ I loved it.” She noted that her execution of the Fearless Lock on Rodriguez, who stands over six feet tall, felt different and visually distinct from Cena’s STF submission.
The dynamic between Bella and Cena remains a topic of interest among fans. The couple were once among WWE’s most popular personalities, and their engagement at WrestleMania 33 in 2017 generated significant attention. However, their relationship eventually ended, leading to the dissolution of their engagement.
As Bella continues to carve out her path in the wrestling world, her emphasis on the Fearless Lock as her own creation reaffirms her commitment to her craft and her desire to make a lasting impact in the ring.
