Who says wrestling and fashion don’t go together? Ask the Bella Twins, the WWE’s female tag team. The identical twins went from modeling to pro, or “Diva,” as the women wrestlers are known, in 2008. Now you can see them kick butt live every Monday night at 9 p.m. on USA’s “Raw.” On Sunday, the Bella Twins make an appearance at WWE’s biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, when The Rock takes on John Cena live in Miami. In the run-up, they took some questions, with Brie jumping in the ring first.
PHOTOS: TWIN WRESTLERS BRIE AND NIKKI BELLA
So who was born first?
Nikki, by 16 minutes . . . my mom had no idea she was having twins.
Did you fight on the way out?
Ha! How did you know? Nikki kicked me in there so she could have her own entrance — but I made sure the doctors knew they saved the best for last!
How did you both get into wrestling?
We both were huge athletes. We were on a competitive traveling soccer team for nine years. Nikki then went on and played two more years in college. We both started getting into modeling and commercial work. Loving entertainment, but having our athletic talent, WWE seemed like the perfect fit for us. We went on their Diva Search, and the rest is history.
How did you learn wrestling?
We joined WWE’s developmental program FCW, Florida Championship Wrestling, in Tampa, Fla. We spent six to eight hours a day training. It paid off 14 months later when we debuted on “Friday Night SmackDown.”
Do you fight each other?
Behind the scenes? Yes! No, we used to fight growing up, like any siblings. Now Nikki and I save that for our opponents.
Did you ever pretend to be one person?
Oh yeah! To all the boys growing up. It was easier when it came time to break up. I would do it for her and her for me.
Do you use twin telepathy in the ring?
Definitely! We both can sense each other very well. When one twin is in need or hurt, the other twin definitely knows it. It really helps us being a successful tag team.
How did you learn your signature move — the Bella Buster, in which you smash your opponent’s face into the mat? A shoe sale?
Actually, at any sale you’ll more than likely see a Bella. But that didn’t teach us the Bella Buster. Face-smashing is what we feel we do best. We are Mexican and Italian; it’s in our blood!
What have you won?
I have been Diva’s Champion and Nikki likes to call herself Champ’s Assistant. I couldn’t have won the title without the help of my sister.
What is not allowed in women’s wrestling that is in men’s?
We have the same rules as the Superstars. Our referees are tough, they don’t let us slide when we’re trying to break the rules.
If a guy walked up to you and tried to steal your Chanel and Chloé bags on the street, what would happen?
He would feel two drop kicks in his back. Don’t touch the Chanel or Chloé unless you want a Bella Buster!
Do you dress alike?
Nikki: We do and we don’t. We both appreciate all fashion. Brie will dress more towards a hippie, free-spirit style, whereas I like to dress more fitted and showy. When you’ve got curves — you need to show them and I love showing mine!
Who is more boy crazy?
Brie: Nikki! Nikki is single and ready to mingle! I’ve always found myself the more relationship type, the hopeless romantic. Nikki’s a romantic, but loves all the different boys. She loves adventures.
Do guys hit on you a lot? What are the worst pickup lines guys have tried?
They do, but we are twins. To some, we are hot women, to others, circus freaks. There have been some bad pickup lines: “You must be hurting from falling from heaven.” Eww! We hate cheesy pickups.
Have you taken a guy down?
Oh yes! A few. And not all were playful. Men at times don’t believe we’re tough. Challenging a Bella can be a mistake. Nikki once let a man know exactly how the figure-four leg-lock feels. I believe he’s still hurting.
Do women wrestlers get along, or is it one big girl fight?
At WWE we are a big family. We travel so much that we see our co-workers more then our own families. You build a strong trust and respect. Now that doesn’t mean there aren’t catfights — there definitely are, but we always make up.
Did you ever fight Stacy Keibler (George Clooney’s girlfriend) or Torrie Wilson (Alex Rodriguez’s girlfriend)?
We weren’t around when Stacy was there, but we were with Torrie. We never got in the ring and challenged her, but we’d be willing to tag against them.
Do people recognize you?
Yes. It’s funny, too, how Hollywood celebrities will recognize us. One time, I was getting my hair done and Kristin Chenoweth was sitting next to me. “Are you a wrestler?” she asked. Another time, Jonah Hill wanted a picture with us. You never know who’s a WWE fan.