WWE reportedly is not putting much weight into the online backlash surrounding Chelsea Green’s recent Women’s Championship defense against Nikki Bella.
Green retained the title against Bella on the October 30 episode of SmackDown, but the match drew heavy criticism afterward. Fans took issue with the chemistry between the two, the crowd response, and the finish, while the match also received a very low rating on Cagematch.
According to WrestleVotes, WWE has already moved past the criticism and does not evaluate performers such as Green and Bella strictly on in-ring match quality.
That is an important detail, because both women bring value to WWE in areas outside of the ring.
Green has become one of the more established personalities in the women’s division through her character work, social media presence, crowd reactions, and ability to generate attention on television. Bella, meanwhile, remains one of the most recognizable names from her era and continues to bring mainstream visibility, merchandise appeal, and a strong fan following.
Because of that, WWE reportedly does not view one poorly received match as something that outweighs the overall value either woman brings to the company.
That does not mean the criticism is meaningless. Match quality still matters, especially for wrestlers working in championship programs. But WWE appears to be taking a broader view of what makes someone valuable on television.
For Green specifically, that could explain why the company has continued to feature her so prominently. Her success has never been based only on what happens bell to bell. Her personality, timing, character work, and ability to stay relevant have played a major role in her rise.
The same can be said for Bella. While fans may debate where she currently stands from an in-ring standpoint, her name still carries significant recognition.
The reaction to the match also raises a bigger question about how WWE measures success in 2026. In-ring quality is only one part of the equation. Star power, character, fan engagement, merchandise, social media reach, and overall entertainment value can all factor into how talent is positioned.
For now, there is no indication that the negative reaction to Green vs. Bella will significantly impact either woman’s standing in WWE.
Chelsea Green remains Women’s Champion, and WWE appears comfortable looking beyond one rough match when evaluating her overall value.
The debate now shifts to the fans.
Should one poorly received match matter when a wrestler is still connecting in so many other areas, or should in-ring performance carry more weight when someone is holding a championship?
