Brie Bella recalls Vince McMahon’s last-minute change to 2014 WWE segment before going live
Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon recalled their rivalry from 2014 when her husband Bryan Danielson’s WWE career was held hostage basis the storyline.
During a recent appearance on the What’s Your Story? Podcast, Bella recalled the chaotic moments backstage before her memorable 2014 ‘I Quit’ segment with Stephanie. According to Bella, the script underwent multiple last-minute revisions, with Vince McMahon suggesting changes just moments before they were due to walk through the curtain. With the original plan scrapped, Stephanie improvised the segment, leaving both Bella and Bryan Danielson unsure of exactly how it would unfold.
“I don’t know if you remember this. So do you remember how the script kept changing, and then literally we’re in Gorilla, and your dad was like, ‘Wait, I think it should be something else’. And you were kind of like, ‘What?’. And then you looked at Bryan and I, and you go, ‘You know what? I’m just gonna ask you guys questions. Just answer them. And we don’t agree at the end you’re quitting.’ And your music hit, and you left. And I looked at Bryan, and I go, ‘What game plan is it?’ And he goes, ‘She’s gonna ask us and answer.’”
Stephanie acknowledged her confusion and cited that it is not unusual for last-minute changes.
“And so it was great about that. Like, well, because you didn’t have a choice because that was not unusual for promos to change last minute. Yeah. And you just have to be able to go with it.”
Bella praised Danielson and McMahon’s contributions in bringing the segment to life. And how her inclusion felt ‘organic’. The intense storyline especially featuring The Authority preventing Danielson from winning the World Heavyweight Title unless Bella quit.
“I know. And you and Bryan just did it so beautiful. You guys did. Yeah. And you had great chemistry. And it was it couldn’t have just been more perfect. And I even felt the way I came into it was all organic and felt great. But I do remember my one spot was ‘I quit’, slap, and I just think I concentrated too hard on it because I remember when I slapped, I was like, ‘Oh sh*t!’”
Bella returned to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble and signed a two-year contract. This weekend at SummerSlam, she will team up with Nikki Bella and Paige against Fatal Influence.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.