Why Alexa Bliss Apologised After Making Her WWE Return

Alexa Bliss’s WWE return at the Royal Rumble was bittersweet.

After spending two years out of action, Alexa Bliss returned to WWE in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match.

Bliss was given a huge reaction when she entered the match at number 21, and spent 11 minutes in the thick of the action before being eliminated by Liv Morgan.

In the days after the event, it was reported that Bliss’s return had been finalised very late in the day, after the star negotiated a new contract. This was followed by a further report that Shotzi had been set to wrestle at the Rumble, only to be replaced by Alexa Bliss.

Alexa Bliss Apologised Following WWE Comeback

In a new interview with Daria Berenato and Toni on Unwrapped, former WWE Superstar Shotzi looked back on her run with the company while breaking down her recent exit. The star also got into reports that she’d been set to appear at the Royal Rumble until being replaced by Alexa Bliss.

Shotzi explained that there was uncertainty from the start about her role in the match, but she was eventually told to fly out for the event.

“I heard mixed messages. A couple of producers said I was always in the Rumble. Then they told me last minute. I don’t know. I was very confused by it, but they didn’t relay anything to me until the day before. It was like 3 PM the day before Rumble and they were like, ‘Can you get on a flight in a couple of hours?’

I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not ready for this.’ I packed my bags. I don’t even know what I put in the bags. Got to the airport in an hour and it led to nothing.”

Shotzi revealed that she was ultimately told that she wouldn’t be in the match while in the mackip chair preparing for her appearance. She went on to confirm that it was Bliss who ended up replacing her, although she had no idea about the constantly changing plans.

Bliss later apologised to Shotzi for being given her spot in the match.

“Honestly, if you’re going to take me out for anyone, at least make it be the biggest pop for the night. I have to say, Alexa had no idea someone was getting replaced. She had no idea any of that was going on. She felt so bad and she came up to me after and was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize they were taking someone out to get me in,'”

Shotzi left WWE in May after being informed that her contract wouldn’t be renewed. The star initially signed with the company back in 2019 and went on to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Ember Moon (Athena).

H/t to Fightful