It seems Extra host Maria Menounos is getting back in the ring, the wrestling ring that is.
Menounos will be joining WWE Diva Natalya Hart in a match against Brie Bella and whomever she chooses to be her partner, at SummerSlam Axxess. The other half of the Bella Twins, Nikki, has not been cleared for the event yet.
Before that match was officially announced, there was some chatter on Twitter about the event. It seemed to start when Natalya tweeted the idea of Menounos being her partner.
Hey @mariamenounos! I just had a crazy idea…If you're not busy, why don't you come to #SummerSlam as my guest?! #WWE
— Natalya (@NatbyNature) August 10, 2013
The author of The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life was more than happy about the idea of wrestling again.
@NatbyNature OMG! I would love to go to @wwe #SummerSlam and see all my wwe people! Thx Nat 🙂
— maria menounos (@mariamenounos) August 10, 2013
But in true Diva fashion, the Bella Twins couldn’t let the moment pass by without a little trash talk.
@NatbyNature @mariamenounos Sweet, all we need is Maria Menounos dropping by WWE… Again. Hhm how about you do your job and let us do ours.
— The Bella Twins (@nicoleandbri) August 11, 2013
Natalya wasn’t pleased with the way the Bella Twins were hassling Menounos, but she took that taunt to challenge the ladies with a Diva match.
I'm disappointed that the Bella's keep hassling @mariamenounos. Maria's more of a team player than Nikki or Brie will ever be. Enough.
— Natalya (@NatbyNature) August 11, 2013
If @nicoleandbri are so tough, Maybe they would like to tango with myself and @mariamenounos if Nikki is cleared. A #TotalDiva has spoken!
— Natalya (@NatbyNature) August 12, 2013
To keep the drama going, the Bella Twins had to get the last word.
Don't worry @NatbyNature and @mariamenounos consider the match made! Don't worry we'll find a partner, Bella Style!
— The Bella Twins (@nicoleandbri) August 12, 2013
Those who pay close attention to Menounos’ twitter may have found her hinting of a return to wrestling a few days before Natalya even said anything.
Screw those who say wrestling is fake..I just finished a training session& it hurts!my neck is so messed up-got beat up #respectwrestlers
— maria menounos (@mariamenounos) August 9, 2013
Menounos has occasionally been involved with WWE since 2009. Most notably, she won Wrestlemania XXVIII with partner Kelly Kelly, in April 2012. On October 12, 2009, she guest hosted WWE Raw with Nancy O’Dell, only to get involved in a six diva tag team match, with her being a part of the winning side. In December 2011, she was involved in an eight diva team match, for the WWE Tribute to the Troops. She also inducted former professional wrestler Bob Backlund into the WWE Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden the night before Wrestlemania XXIX in April 2013.
If you haven’t seen Menounos in action, here’s a clip from her first match in 2009.