Trish Stratus Discloses Reason For Turning Down WWE Return Pitch In 2009

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus engaged in an unexpected and prolonged program against Becky Lynch earlier last year and has been absent since, but fans were happy to see her back nonetheless. This wasn’t her first return as she did so a few times in the past but Stratus has now revealed why she turned down a WWE return pitch in 2009.

Unforgiven 2006 was a momentous event for Trish Stratus, as she competed in her final full-time match and left her mark on the WWE Women’s division with a perfect send-off. Wrestling in her hometown of Toronto and facing her greatest rival, Lita, Stratus captured the Women’s Championship for the seventh time and retired as the champion.

Following her victory and retirement at Unforgiven 2006, Stratus shifted to a part-time schedule, appearing only occasionally in the years that followed. Between Unforgiven 2006 and the 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble, she wrestled just seven times. Many of these appearances were in special matches or events, such as hosting Raw or serving as a judge on Tough Enough.

WrestleMania 25 featured the “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal, a match that brought together stars from the era and several legends of women’s wrestling. WWE invited Stratus to participate in the battle royal, but she declined the offer. Stratus’s decision to sit out the match emphasized her selectivity in choosing her appearances and matches following her full-time retirement.

During an interview with Inside The Ropes Magazine, Trish Stratus shared her perspective on the decision not to compete in the “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal at WrestleMania 25. The former Women’s Champion explained that her return to the ring would need to be meaningful for her to consider participating.

“I always said when I retired, if I go back, it’s got to be for something important. Not important, that’s not the right word. It’s got to be for something that’s good. No, that’s not right either. It’s gotta be just something that has to check a few boxes. I want to work with someone I haven’t worked with before. Selfishly as a performer I want to challenge myself. But I also want to elevate another person.

I want to do stuff that hasn’t been done before. I want to present things a bit differently. I just thought about coming back after being retired, I didn’t think that was a good platform to do it. I didn’t think it was necessary. I don’t think it would have been way better if Trish Stratus was in there.”

Trish Stratus also previously expressed her desire to win an 8th Women’s Title. Only time will tell whether WWE will have something significant planned for Stratus, should she make her return this year.

Do you feel Trish Stratus did the right thing by declining to compete in the “Miss WrestleMania” Battle Royal? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!