In a recent interview with Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes, WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus opened up about the surprising length of her return to WWE in 2023, attributing much of the credit to current star Becky Lynch. Stratus, who retired from full-time competition in WWE in September 2006 after an illustrious six-year career, made her way back to the ring this year, marking a notable chapter in her storied career.
Stratus first appeared on WWE programming at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, teaming up with her longtime friend Lita and Lynch to battle Damage CTRL in a highly anticipated six-woman tag team match. The match showcased Stratus’s enduring charisma and wrestling prowess, but it was her subsequent actions that truly set the stage for a significant storyline. Shortly after WrestleMania, Stratus executed a shocking turn by attacking Lita and later turning on Lynch, sparking a heated rivalry that would capture the attention of WWE fans for months.
The storyline between Stratus and Lynch became a central feature of WWE programming throughout 2023. The feud, which lasted about five months, saw Stratus embrace her heel persona—a role she had not taken on since 2005. The culmination of their rivalry occurred at WWE Payback in September 2023, where Lynch defeated Stratus in a highly acclaimed cage match, bringing their feud to a dramatic close.
In her interview, Stratus revealed that it was Lynch who initially proposed the storyline that led to her extended run. Lynch’s pitch was not only about reviving Stratus’s presence in WWE but also about crafting a compelling narrative that would resonate with fans. “She [Lynch] called me and said, ‘Do you want to come back and do a match with me at WrestleMania?’” Stratus recalled. “We thought it’d be cool to have me turn on Lita because people would be more invested in that than if I just turned on Becky. At that time, we had no television history together, so the idea was for me to come in for a brief period, turn heel, and then do a bit more before leaving. But suddenly, I found myself in a storyline every single week for the next six months.”
Stratus’s return was marked by her first appearance at Money in the Bank in her hometown of Toronto, where she served as the event’s guest host. During this event, Stratus had a notable encounter with Miss Money in the Bank, Tiffany Stratton, which hinted at potential future matchups and added another layer of intrigue to her return.
Stratus’s decision to embrace a heel role after so many years was driven by her desire to challenge herself and offer something fresh to the audience. Her ability to seamlessly transition back into a villainous role and maintain her in-ring and mic skills was a testament to her enduring talent and dedication to the craft.
In summary, Trish Stratus’s 2023 WWE run was a testament to both her lasting appeal and the innovative storytelling that WWE continues to embrace. With Becky Lynch playing a crucial role in shaping this chapter of Stratus’s career, it’s clear that collaboration and creative vision are key components in delivering memorable wrestling narratives.
