The Traitors’ Nikki Garcia Perfectly Explained How ‘Boston’ Rob Mariano Lasted So Long

Since The Traitors became a popular reality show, several incredibly respected people have spent time with Alan Cumming's dog Lala. For example, fans want to see more former Survivor stars on The Traitors even as Tony Vlachos left too early and then questioned "Boston" Rob Mariano's reputation. The Traitors has also featured several memorable players, including Bob the Drag Queen who told fans who were angry at him to "get over it."

After becoming The Traitors' first former wrestler, with hopefully more to come, Nikki Garcia has strong opinions about the reality show legends she played with. One perfect example of that is the fact that Nikki stated her opinion that "Boston" Rob Mariano survived so long for a specific reason.

The Traitors' Nikki Garcia Explained "Boston" Rob Mariano Lasted So Long Because Of Confusion About The Show's Rules

During The Traitors Season 3, fans got to see arguably the most famous Survivor player ever compete in Alan Cumming's castle. One of the people who were inducted into the inaugural class of the Survivor Hall of Fame, "Boston" Rob Mariano is an intimidating figure in reality TV history.

As a result, when "Boston" Rob joined The Traitors' cast, it seemed like it would be a no-brainer for everyone to want him gone ASAP. Yet, even after "Boston" Rob didn't have safety and some people were calling him out, he continued to survive several roundtable sessions.

One of the people who were banished from the game before "Boston" Rob was the WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia. After fans saw her exit the game, Nikki perfectly explained one reason why "Boston" Rob lasted so long in the game.

On January 27th, 2025, an episode of "The Nikki & Brie" podcast was released with the hosts, Nikki Garica and her twin sister Brie Garcia. During that episode, that can be heard on the Apple Podcasts website, Nikki spoke at length about her The Traitors experience.

Reality Shows Nikki Garica Has Starred In, According to IMDB

• Total Divas
• Total Bellas
• Dancing with the Stars
• America's Got Talent: Extreme
• Nikki Bella Says I Do
• Twin Love
• The Traitors

During her discussion about The Traitors with her sister, Nikki revealed many interesting things. That said, one of the most fascinating things that Nikki discussed is about why she didn't think "Boston" Rob could be a traitor. While Nikki didn't state that any of the other players felt the same way, it seems safe to assume that was the case.

During the podcast episode, Nikki explained there was a very specific reason why she believed "Boston" Rob couldn't be one of the Traitors.

Nikki told her sister and listeners, she believed that Rob couldn't be a Traitor because he was the one who convinced everyone to banish Bob The Drag Queen. As Nikki explained, the show's rulebook states that the Traitors can't expose each other to the Faithful.

It is a thick rulebook, so you know the exact rules of the game. In there, it says a Traitor is not allowed to expose a Traitor.

As result of the rulebook stating that members of the Traitors can't expose each other, it makes sense that Nikki didn't think Rob could be one.

After fans saw Nikki Garcia get banished from The Traitors, she made a return to the career that first made her famous. During the WWE's 2025 Women's Royal Rumble match, Nikki made a surprise return and eliminated Bayley before being thrown out by Nia Jax.

Nikki revealed during the podcast episode that she dismissed the idea that Rob could be one of the Traitors. Furthermore, Nikki revealed that she stuck up for Rob at the roundtable because of what she believed the rules of the game were.

"So when that whole thing went down, then people had their theories. I was like, but that can't be right because you can't do that. So that's why I stuck up for him last week at that round table."

Nikki then went on to address The Traitors fans who thought it should have been obvious to the Faithful that Rob was one of the Traitors.

While addressing fan reactions, Nikki pointed out that it is a lot easier to pick up on clues when you are watching the show and already know who the Traitors are.

"Everyone's like, 'Oh, Nikki was so obvious.' It would be very obvious because you guys know they're Traitors. We don't know that."

Nikki then went on to elaborate on why she thought there was no way Rob could be one of the Traitors.

Keeping in mind that he convinced everyone to banish Bob the Drag Queen at the roundtable, Nikki thought Rob would be risking a lot if he was one of the Traitors.

"I'm thinking, like, 'There's no way because he'd be kicked out or fined. Like, that it was in the rule book. A Traitor can't expose a Traitor.' So that's why, I, in my head was like, when Sam brought it up at the round table, I was like, 'But there's no way. A Traitor couldn't do that to a Traitor.'"

Nikki then admitted that she later realized that she was wrong and "Boston" Rob was allowed to expose Bob the Drag Queen. "Guess they could. So if I would have known that, I would have felt, like, 'For sure.' But in my head, I'm like, 'No. He would be kicked out.'"

Why "Boston" Rob Mariano Was Allowed To Target Bob The Drag Queen During The Traitors

As The Traitors viewers, it may seem obvious that "Boston" Rob Mariano was allowed to go after Bob the Drag Queen at the roundtable. After all, viewers saw "Boston" Rob be allowed to get the Faithful to banish Bob the Drag Queen by accusing him of being one of the Traitors.

That said, the reality is that it wasn't always so obvious that members of the Traitors are allowed to do what "Boston" Rob did.

Instead, it once seemed so questionable to even reality show experts that The Traitors' producer was asked to explain why that was allowed. After Dan Gheesling tried to convince the Faithful that Phaedra Parks was a Traitor during the show's second season, the show's producer was asked for an explanation.

In February 2024, Entertainment Weekly asked The Traitors' producer Sam Rees-Jones to explain why Dan could target Phaedra. In response, the producer gave a more specific description of what the Traitors can and can't do to each other.

"As a Traitor, you are absolutely allowed to call out another Traitor as long as you are under the guise of being a Faithful. Dan was acting as a Faithful, so he could call out another Traitor. What you can't do is, when Dan was banished, he absolutely couldn't have gone, 'Yeah, I'm a Traitor, and Phaedra is one too.' But under the guise of a Faithful, he played within the rules."

Based on what Nikki said about thinking "Boston" Rob couldn't be a Traitor, it seems like the show's producers should make sure that is clear to the players.