The latest WWE rumors focus on Nikki Bella and her potential for a new SmackDown Live feud with another star on the roster. As fans know, there was a backstage attack at Survivor Series 2016 which saw Bella removed from the women’s 5-on-5 traditional elimination match. At the time of the incident, Nikki told Daniel Bryan and women’s team coach Natalya that someone had hit her from behind but she wasn’t sure who. Now it’s being reported that the incident may lead to another new feud for Nikki after she finishes up her business with Carmella, but there are at least two possible contenders for who perpetrated the attack.

As Bleacher Report indicates in their recent article, the Nikki Bella injury angle at Survivor Series had fans believing maybe she had a legitimate injury which made her unable to compete at the pay-per-view. However, it was reported via Wrestling Inc that Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer said this wasn’t the situation with the angle. Instead, it was rumored that this backstage attack was done in an effort to ignite a new feud for Nikki Bella and it was believed that her attacker was not Carmella, but in fact Natalya. The SmackDown Live women’s team coach took Nikki’s place in the matchup after Daniel Bryan’s blessing.

Right now, Nikki is still part of an ongoing feud with another roster member, Carmella. The two met in a backstage segment on Tuesday’s edition of SmackDown Live with Nikki informing Carmella they’ll meet for a final time at the WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view in December. The matchup will be a “No Disqualification” bout with no holds barred for the two female competitors. While there isn’t a title or stipulation on the line, the winner will likely become one of the top contenders for Becky Lynch’s championship. Alexa Bliss challenges Lynch for the title at the same event.

With that said, it won’t be surprising if Natalya decides to get involved in this match at the pay-per-view. She doesn’t have any scheduled action and has taken on the heel role several times before. As of right now, the SmackDown Live roster has mainly relied on Alexa Bliss and Carmella as its two heels, so adding Natalya into the mix makes sense. While Bliss has done a decent job, Carmella has been a secondary player and less memorable. Natalya has the ability to really up the ante when it comes to this feud.

Was Natalya the one behind Nikki's attack at Survivor Series 2016? [Image via WWE]

In addition to that, it seems that the Hart Foundation family member definitely deserves a boost in her credentials. A feud with some of Nikki Bella’s popularity could really benefit Natalya and also get her involved in the title picture with Becky Lynch at some point. Possibly there could be a Triple Threat match down the line involving Nikki, Natalya, and Lynch over the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

There are some other interesting WWE rumors floating around out there about a women’s wrestler that was drafted to SmackDown Live. Over at Sportsrageous, they’re suggesting in their report that it could be Eva Marie who perpetrated the attack on Nikki Bella at Survivor Series. This could also make good sense, as she’s been missing from WWE television for some time due to her suspension. Prior to that, she’d been part of a gimmick where she was always set to make her official in-ring debut but had various incidents which caused her to be unable to do so.

Eva Marie has been missing from the SmackDown roster for a while now. [Image via WWE]

Eva Marie was suspended back on August 18 for a 30-day suspension due to violation of the company’s wellness policy. The women’s star, who is known for her “All Red Everything” nickname, went on to film a movie called Inconceivable starring Nicolas Cage and Faye Dunaway which has kept her away from the WWE scene for some time. So with that in mind, having her involved in a feud with Nikki Bella makes a lot of sense in terms of promotional efforts, something WWE loves being involved in.

Until WWE shows its hand, either of these WWE rumors could be plausible. One thing is certain and that is that the women’s title picture could use some sprucing up with Alexa Bliss and Becky Lynch’s feud soon coming to a conclusion. Will it be Natalya, Eva Marie, or someone completely different who staged the attack on Nikki Bella when the big reveal finally happens?

[Featured Image by WWE]