Stephanie McMahon Urged Trish Stratus To Announce Pregnancy On WWE TV

Stephanie McMahon was behind a famous WWE moment.

After beginning her career as a valet, Trish Stratus became wrapped up in the on-screen McMahon family drama battling with Stephanie McMahon. At WrestleMania X-7, Stratus became a babyface and began to establish herself as a wrestler in her own right.

The star went on to become a decorated in-ring performer and is widely credited with helping shift WWE’s perception of women’s wrestling. Stratus retired as a full-time Superstar in 2006 but has wrestled several matches since, only returning for a long-term run in 2023.

The former Women’s Champion was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 by Stephanie McMahon and famously announced she was pregnant with her first child.

During an appearance on The Green Zone, Stratus broke down why she chose McMahon to induct her, revealing she was also the one behind announcing her pregnancy at the ceremony.

“Her and I went through a lot together. We went through the valet stuff together. I was a valet, she did a little of it, but it was a little when I crossed over and went into the Vince McMahon storyline. She was a big part of that. That was the transition from me standing up for myself finally as a character. She stood up for herself, she moved on, she slapped Vince McMahon.

Now, she’s the independent woman who can do this on her own and doesn’t need a man. That was a very poignant moment and was part of that. She was the one encouraging me and championing the women doing stuff like that, even back then. She was in awe of my wrestling skills and I was barely green at that point.

We had the big match together when it was my first major pay-per-view match, for her as well, we worked our butts off and a lot of people really talk about that match because they were like, ‘it’s going to be a catfight,’ and we pulled out some crazy moves.

Getting more credibility at the time we went out there. She was part of those major moments for me to transition out of (being a valet) and being taken seriously. She was kind of my sister. We were working side by side. We were in each other’s inboxes every moment talking about what to do next and how we could make it better and ‘let’s get in the ring.’ We shared that. It felt fitting.

“She shared a moment with me, I had just found out I was pregnant, and I first went into performance mode of, usually people come back from an ankle, I don’t know if I can because I’m pregnant, should I not do it this year? They specifically picked me as ushering in the new era of the women, so it’s a special spot.

Stephanie called me, showing those concerns, and said, ‘Listen, this is an amazing moment.’ ‘Are wrestling fans going to find it weird?’ I literally said that. ‘I’m not their hot bombshell, I’m pregnant.’ She said, ‘This is such a moment, why don’t we make it a moment we can share with the WWE Universe, perhaps you can make your announcement there if you’re comfortable.’

‘Oh my God, that’s so special.’ To go out there, have my moment, be accepted into the Hall of Fame, and that night I announced I was pregnant. I said the line, ‘By the way, coming this September, I’ll be delivering a little Stratusfaction.’ It was so cute. Fans were forever part of Baby Stratus being born soon and they were along for the journey.

I felt like she had been part of so many transitional moments for me to get where I was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”

Is Stephanie McMahon Back With WWE?

Stephanie McMahon walked away from WWE in January 2023 after Vince McMahon forced his way back onto the Board of Directors. She remained away from the company until making a surprise appearance at the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, before following that up by welcoming fans to WrestleMania Sunday two days later.

This, coupled with another appearance during the WWE Draft sparked speculation she could return to the company in a full-time capacity.

However, although Stephanie McMahon has been repeatedly linked with taking an executive role, nothing has been made official.

Meanwhile, Trish Stratus has repeatedly hinted she could get back in the ring if the right opportunity comes along. Stratus hasn’t wrestled since being defeated by Becky Lynch in an acclaimed Cage Match at Payback in September 2023.

H/t to Fightful