Trish Stratus Explains Why She Decided To Make WWE Return

Trish Stratus is a woman on a mission as she prepares to return to the ring.

At WWE Evolution, Tiffany Stratton will defend her Women’s Championship against Trish Stratus after being given the chance to choose her opponent. This means that Stratus will challenge for a singles championship for the first time since beating Lita in the final match of her full-time career in 2006.

In Stratus’ last in-ring outing, she actually teamed with Stratton to beat Candice LeRae and Nia Jax at Elimination Chamber back in February.

Trish Stratus Thrives On Proving People Wrong

Given how much Stratus has achieved both in and outside of the ring, some have questioned why she’s putting her body through another comeback. However, for the woman herself, the answer is simple.

In an interview with SI’s The Takedown ahead of the show, Stratus said that she’s on a mission to defy expectations and prove passion doesn’t just expire.

“It’s about continuing to defy expectations. At this stage in my life and career, people love to ask, ‘Why are you still doing this?’ And my answer is simple: because I can. Passion doesn’t have an expiration date.”

Stratus added that her latest return is about so much more than trying to prove something to Tiffany Stratton or fans watching at home.

“It’s not just about proving something to the audience or to my opponent – it’s about proving it to myself, and showing my daughter that you don’t have to fit into the box the world tries to put you in. You can evolve, reinvent, and keep showing up, no matter where you are in life.

Win, lose, or draw, I want to walk away from this match [at Evolution] with the fans knowing that I gave everything I have – physically, emotionally, spiritually. And if I can inspire even one person to chase their dream a little harder or silence that voice telling them they’re ‘too old’ or ‘past their prime,’ then I’ve already won. It’s not over until you say it’s over.”

Elsewhere at Evolution, Iyo Sky will defend the Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley, and Becky Lynch will put her Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.