Returning WWE Legend Thought They Would Never Wrestle In 2025

A WWE legend made their shocking return on SmackDown.

Trish Stratus’ surprise comeback may have been as much of a shock to her as it was for the WWE Universe.

The seven-time women’s champion retired with the title in 2006 before making a full-time return for a second stint from 2022 to 2023; she then went on a hiatus.

Ever since, she has made sporadic appearances, with her last match coming at the 2025 Elimination Chamber, where she teamed with Tiffany Stratton.

Former WWE employee Jonathan Coachman recounted an interaction on The Last Word podcast involving Stratus, where they discussed the possibility of her wrestling in 2025.

I was there sitting next to Trish Stratus at The Sphere, the night that Triple H made a few of us travel to Toronto to watch his one and only major motion picture with Wesley Snipes and Ryan Reynolds.

Then we had to go to a dinner, and who was sitting right across from me? The great Trish Stratus. And I ask her…this was like 2004-2005; I said, “Do you think that in 2025 you would still be wrestling?” Hell no, and I quote, she said, “They’d have to be desperate to still use me in 2025.” [15:07 onwards]

Trish Stratus To Challenge For WWE Women’s Championship

Trish Stratus not only returned to WWE, but was also named as Tiffany Stratton’s next challenger for the women’s title at Evolution.

Stratus last held a major title at the time of her retirement, when she beat Lita to win the Women’s Championship at the 2006 Unforgiven pay-per-view.

Jade Cargill, the winner of the Queen of the Ring Tournament at Night of Champions, awaits the winner of this match at SummerSlam in August.