For years, WWE’s WrestleMania showcased memorable moments and matches, but the women’s division was largely overlooked. The company didn’t prioritize the division, giving them minimal time and little meaningful content. That began to change with the arrival of talents like Trish Stratus and Mickie James, who pushed WWE to take the women’s division more seriously.
With consistent booking and compelling storylines, they finally got the chance to shine in the ring. This shift led to a standout moment at WrestleMania 22, where Mickie James challenged Trish Stratus for the Women’s Championship in what many regard as one of the finest women’s matches in the event’s history. While the match was a show-stealer, it also sparked chaos behind the scenes.
At the time, James played a heel obsessed with Stratus, her character veering into psychosexual stalker territory. Both the match and the performances were exceptional, but one moment overshadowed everything else. Late in the bout, James grabbed Stratus by the crotch, prompting a shocked Stratus to break her hold. James then made a suggestive gesture toward the camera, amplifying the storyline’s hinted romantic undertones.
James believed the spot fit their narrative and expected it to be a hit backstage. However, as she later shared on “Wrestlecast Radio,” the reaction was far from positive—Vince McMahon was furious. “I came back through the curtain and Vince was really mad,” she recalled. “In the moment, it felt amazing to me. I thought, ‘Vince will love this.’ But ‘crass’ was the word I got. He didn’t like it at all. He said, ‘We’re going to have to edit that out. Do you know how much time [this will take]?’”
Reflecting on it in a “Ring the Belle” interview, James admitted, “I felt horrible. After this super huge high moment, I just felt so defeated. I was like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t read the room right at all.’”
