WWE Reportedly Shocked Over Legend Declining Evolution Return

WWE was apparently left surprised that one former star was holding out for a match at Evolution to make their return.

Evolution put WWE’s women front and centre with a show that was received very well by fans. Naomi walked away with the Women’s World Championship after cashing in her Money In The Bank briefcase during IYO SKY’s title match with Rhea Ripley.

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus challenged for the WWE Women’s Title, but in the end, Stratus came up short against Tiffany Stratton. Another Hall of Famer was also in action as Nikki Bella was part of the battle royal that was won by Stephanie Vaquer.

Kelly Kelly Wanted WWE Match

Many ex-WWE stars, such as Jazz, Ivory, Jacqueline, Maryse, Torrie Wilson, Melina, Molly Holly, Alundra Blayze, and Leilani Kai, were shown on camera watching the show. But it seems WWE was left surprised that another former star turned them down.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp noted that Kelly Kelly had wanted a match on Evolution to make her return to the company:

But there were people in WWE that I spoke to who were surprised that Kelly Kelly was holding out on an in-ring spot. She’s not had a singles match in 13 years, they had not heard her doing any training to prepare for such, and her work was not anything to write home about — it was actively bad back then. Listen, from where I stand, you look at the people who show up. I’d rather see Ivory, Jazz, or Jacqueline have in-ring matches.

Kelly Kelly last had a singles match in 2012 but returned to WWE for the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Royal Rumbles as well as the original Evolution show as part of a battle royal.