Incomparable: Book Overview
Ever wondered what it's like to grow up as twins in the world of professional wrestling? How do you build a successful brand while staying true to your values?
In the Incomparable book, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella share their journey from a challenging childhood to becoming WWE superstars and successful entrepreneurs. You'll get an inside look at their personal struggles, professional triumphs, and the unbreakable bond that's shaped their lives.
Ready to dive into the inspiring story of the Bella Twins? Let's explore the key insights from their candid memoir.
Overview of Incomparable
Incomparable book details the personal journeys of professional wrestlers Brie Bella and Nikki Bella as the inseparable twin sisters known as the Bella Twins. Chronicled are their early lives marked by family turmoil, their rise in the male-dominated world of wrestling against obstacles like hazing, and their determination to progress the representation of women in WWE.
The book also explores the twins' romantic entanglements, the creation of Brie's family with wrestler Daniel Bryan, and their business ventures focused on women's empowerment and eco-friendly products. At its core, it's a tale of perseverance, leveraging the unique twin bond to overcome adversity and forge their paths to success.
Early Years and Family Background
The Bella Twins' story begins with a challenging childhood marked by family turmoil and instability. Born prematurely on November 21, Nikki and Brie entered the world under difficult circumstances. Their young mother was living in a facility for expectant women, receiving only basic medical care during her pregnancy. Initially, doctors thought she was carrying just one healthy boy, but the twins surprised everyone with their arrival.
The girls' early years were far from easy. Their parents, though affectionate towards each other, weren't married and struggled to create a stable home environment. Their father's substance abuse issues often led to abusive behavior, creating a volatile atmosphere. The twins describe their childhood as having more difficult times than good ones, with their grandparents playing a crucial role in providing some stability.
Despite the chaos at home, Nikki and Brie maintained a facade of perfection around their grandparents, hiding the true extent of their domestic troubles. This early experience of putting on a brave face would later serve them well in their wrestling careers, where they'd need to perform regardless of personal circumstances.
The tumultuous nature of their childhood had a lasting impact on how the Bella Twins viewed love, relationships, and self-worth. Nikki, in particular, initially associated love with turmoil, a pattern that would influence her romantic relationships later in life. Both sisters learned to contain their emotions and respond without immediate anger, a skill they'd hone through counseling and with the support of family members like Brie's husband, Bryan.
The Twin Bond
The special connection between Nikki and Brie played a crucial role in their resilience and outlook on life. From birth, they showed an inseparable bond, holding hands as infants and supporting each other through shared and individual trials. This twin connection provided a foundation of support that bolstered their resilience throughout their various pursuits.
During the chaos of their early years, the twins found solace and strength in each other. They chose to identify as survivors rather than victims, drawing strength from one another during their most challenging times. This unwavering support system would prove invaluable as they navigated the complexities of their family circumstances and later, the competitive world of professional wrestling.
While united by their twin bond, Nikki and Brie also developed distinct personalities and talents. They reinforced each other's strengths and worked together on their weaknesses, despite having different passions in sports and artistic endeavors. Their twinship provided a multitude of opportunities, allowing them to nurture their unique characteristics while mirroring each other's likeness.
The story of the Bella Twins showcases how their unique bond shaped their outlook, fostered their growth, and provided a steadfast pillar of strength amid life's uncertainties. It highlights their ability to persevere in the face of adversity, a trait that would serve them well in their future careers.
Entering the World of Professional Wrestling
The Bella Twins' journey into professional wrestling was an unexpected twist of fate. Their ascent to wrestling stardom began in modest venues like church parking lots and Jewish Community Centers, eventually leading to their impactful debut on WWE's main stage. Interestingly, their path to wrestling wasn't a childhood dream but rather a serendipitous discovery of their perfect fit in the world of athletic performance.
The twins' wrestling journey solidified when they received an invitation to participate in the WWE Diva Search. Their dynamic display during the tryout caught the attention of scouts, leading to an offer to train at a dedicated facility. From the outset, Nikki and Brie showed unwavering dedication, immersing themselves in the sport and learning through observation despite their initial lack of experience.
For Nikki, her commitment to wrestling became clear when a romantic relationship ended due to her increasing devotion to the sport. This moment cemented her decision to stay in Tampa and pursue her wrestling career, rather than returning to Salt Lake City.
Overcoming Challenges in a Male-dominated Industry
As Brie and Nikki began their careers in WWE, they faced numerous challenges in the predominantly male environment. They encountered a series of initiation challenges, including misleading information from fellow wrestlers about arrival times, leading to multiple instances of being late. Even their outfit choices were scrutinized and constrained by unspoken backstage rules, often accompanied by veterans' attempts at intimidation.
Despite these obstacles, the Bella Twins exhibited unwavering resolve to climb the ranks and prove their worth. They devoted their evenings to rigorous training sessions after long days in the wrestling ring, fueled by their belief in the storytelling power of professional wrestling. From leveraging their twin looks to ensure wins for Brie in their early matches to persistently pitching ideas to showrunners for more exposure, their determination to excel on their own merits never wavered.
The twins navigated a professional wrestling environment often marked by the objectification of women, intense rivalry, and scarce opportunities for female wrestlers to showcase their talents. Female performers on television often had their appearances restricted to mere minutes, providing little chance to display their abilities. Despite encountering behind-the-scenes mischief and manipulative strategies, Nikki and Brie remained resolute, using their solidarity to stand their ground in an environment filled with covert schemes designed to unsettle newcomers.
Revolutionizing Women's Wrestling
The Bella Twins played a pivotal role in revolutionizing women's wrestling, actively contributing to the shift rather than merely witnessing it. They stood firm, fighting not just for their own acclaim but also for the progression of the entire industry dedicated to female wrestlers. By standing against doubt and opposition, they played a crucial role in shifting WWE's cultural view from the objectification of women to a genuine recognition of their athletic prowess within the squared circle.
In gatherings, presentations, and onstage events, Nikki and Brie's unwavering commitment and distinct direction fostered an environment conducive to the growth of both emerging NXT talents and experienced wrestlers. Their ability to turn challenges into opportunities not only propelled their own success but also significantly altered the trajectory of women's wrestling through their resolve and grace.
The Bella Twins' unwavering support, creative strategies, and rejection of conventional standards cemented their reputation as pioneers for transformation and beacons in the advancement of women's wrestling. They actively worked to create a more balanced atmosphere, paving the way for future generations of female wrestlers.
Personal Relationships and Growth
Both Nikki and Brie Bella experienced tumultuous romantic relationships that intertwined with their personal growth and professional lives. Their experiences in love and relationships were deeply influenced by their challenging childhood and the demands of their wrestling careers.
Brie's early romantic encounters were marked by control and codependency. She faced a difficult path with a partner named Craig, who didn't support her aspirations and forced her to choose between their relationship and her professional goals. This uneven dynamic often left Brie feeling insufficient as she tried to meet her partner's expectations, feelings that intensified due to her guilt about pursuing her WWE dreams in a different city.
Through these experiences, Brie came to appreciate the significance of prioritizing her own happiness. She often put her personal dreams and desires, including the wish to start a family and get married, on the back burner to prioritize her partner's needs. This led to a relationship dynamic where support and influence were disproportionately in her partner's favor. Eventually, Brie recognized the negative impacts of their conflicting expectations and learned the importance of identifying and expressing her own needs.
Nikki's romantic journey was equally complex, often mirroring her quest for validation and stability in her personal connections. She craved independence but often struggled to maintain her single status, quickly transitioning into new relationships as a means of moving on from previous romantic ties. Nikki's breakup, which was emotionally taxing and widely publicized, added to her stress.
Each romantic encounter served as an important milestone for Nikki, enabling her to deepen her self-awareness and define her boundaries within romantic partnerships. She mistakenly saw signs of loving protection in possessiveness and extreme physical intensity within her romantic involvements. Her relationship with Jake provided a stability similar to a father's presence yet also hindered her growth, while her interactions with Brad, whose hesitance to fully commit intensified her obsession, further shaped her journey of self-discovery.
Brie's Journey to Love and Motherhood
Brie's romantic journey led her to a lasting relationship with professional wrestler Daniel Bryan. Initially, she was hesitant to fully commit emotionally to Bryan. Their early relationship was characterized by lighthearted teasing and happiness, despite her fondness for celebration often clashing with his inclination towards a more serene lifestyle.
A pivotal moment came on New Year's Eve when the disparity in their lifestyles led to tension. Brie's choice to celebrate the occasion apart from Bryan resulted in him deciding to end their relationship via a phone call. This crucial event cemented Brie's deep love for Bryan and her steadfast dedication to their union. She reconciled with him in a city known for its vibrant nightlife, and although she had some initial doubts, their relationship surmounted challenges, culminating in public recognition of their partnership.
Brie's journey through pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood profoundly altered her views on control and vulnerability. Initially advocating for natural childbirth, she endured intense contractions triggered by medication, leading to the necessity of a cesarean section. This experience made her dependent on the expertise of healthcare providers, underscoring the significance of understanding one's own limitations regarding personal control and the necessity of receiving support.
The grueling 21-hour labor and challenging birth process deepened Brie and Bryan's appreciation for medical caregivers and emphasized the importance of embracing essential health support. Brie underwent a profound change in her perspective on life and her approach to childbirth, prioritizing safety and individual choice over adhering strictly to a preconceived blueprint for delivery. This transformation reflects an overall growth in her perspective on life, particularly regarding womanhood and motherhood.
The Bella Twins' Business Ventures
Brie and Nikki Bella have carved out a significant niche in the business sector, driven by their dedication to creating and nurturing brands that resonate with their values and make a significant difference. They're particularly passionate about women's empowerment and sustainable agriculture.
The twins introduced Birdiebee, their lifestyle brand focusing on women's empowerment, which includes a collection of high-quality, eco-friendly intimate apparel and casual clothing. Their aim is to ensure that the assortment of items is completely natural, cost-efficient, and inclusive, crafted to welcome women of all body types. Launching with inclusive sizing and showcasing diverse ethnicities reflects their aim of aligning their brand closely with their message of empowerment.
Growing up on a farm instilled in the Bella twins a profound respect for sustainable farming practices, and they find significant pleasure in the art of winemaking. They've partnered with the esteemed Hill Family Estate's Ryan Hill to produce high-quality wines available at reasonable prices. The success of their wine sales, which saw their products sell out within hours, reflects their personal touch and the alignment of their products with their fans' tastes.
Business Strategy and Social Impact
Nikki and Brie demonstrate a steadfast commitment to growing their brand, actively participating in every aspect of their business endeavors, from production to marketing. Brie dedicated her efforts to overseeing factory inspections, even while expecting, and Nikki worked closely with experts in lingerie to shape the design elements of Birdiebee. They emphasized the importance of fully understanding their business and made significant moves, such as ending their partnership with a potential business advisor, to remain true to their fundamental principles of high-quality, reliable products.
The Twins leverage their fame, acquired from their professional wrestling careers and roles on reality TV shows, to promote societal improvements. They consistently cultivate a positive environment and are committed to developing feminine hygiene offerings that align with the ethical standards of their brand. Brie and Nikki Bella consistently strive to engage genuinely with their followers and make a positive impact on the globe, all while managing the complexities of aligning their emotions with difficult business choices.
Their journey from professional wrestlers to successful entrepreneurs showcases their ability to adapt, grow, and use their platform for positive change. Through their business ventures, the Bella Twins continue to champion causes they believe in, proving that it's possible to build successful brands while staying true to one's values and making a difference in the world.