Nikki Bella returns from injury at WWE SummerSlam

NEW YORK, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Nikki Bella made her triumphant return Sunday during WWE's annual August event, SummerSlam.

The Total Divas star who has been absent from in-ring action for nearly a year and underwent career-threatening neck surgery in January, joined Smackdown Live's Natalya and Alexa Bliss to take on Becky Lynch, Naomi and Carmella in a tag-team match.

Throughout the match, the crowd at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, New York rose to their feet and cheered on the former Divas Champion as she led her team to victory after hitting Carmella with a TKO for the three count.

"What a moment as Nikki @BellaTwins pins @CarmellaWWE to seal the deal for her team! #SummerSlam #StayFearless," WWE wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of Bella celebrating in the ring following the win.

Bella also took to Twitter to comment on her comeback writing, "I'm bacckkk!! What a journey my past 10 months have been! Words can't even describe how I feel being back in that ring! FEARLESS FOREVER!"

WWE also confirmed that Bella would be competing as part of Smackdown Live's women's division which will soon receive its own championship.

Bella was able to join the bout after it was announced that former partner, Eva Marie, was recuperating from anxiety and stress brought on by the WWE Universe. The announcement continues Marie's ongoing storyline in which she comes up with excuses to avoid matches but, in reality, she was suspended Thursday for 30 days following a wellness policy violation.