Trish Stratus Reflects on 25 Years and Returns to WWE Action

TORONTO, Canada — Trish Stratus, a WWE Hall of Famer, is set to return to the ring this weekend, teaming with Tiffany Stratton against Nia Jax and Candice LeRae at the WWE Elimination Chamber event. This match marks Stratus’ first significant in-ring appearance since her surprise entrance in the Women’s Royal Rumble match earlier this month.

“If there’s opportunities, I’m up for it,” Stratus said in a recent interview, explaining her selective approach to returning to the ring. “I have to check a couple boxes to make sure it makes sense. [Is it] good for whoever I’m working with? Does it make sense for that person? Is it something that will help them?”

Stratus, who made her WWE debut in 2000, has expressed a commitment to ensuring that her returns benefit not only her career but also those she competes alongside. “I always want to make sure it’s not just self-centered, for me to come back and just get my own little, cheap pop,” she added.

While Stratus acknowledges that WWE would happily welcome her back on a full-time basis, she has chosen to limit her appearances to focus on other aspects of her life. This decision follows her desire to commemorate her 25th anniversary with the company, an occasion she finds significant. “I thought that was really cool that they wanted to celebrate the 25 years,” Stratus noted, reflecting on her storied career.

The plan for her match at Elimination Chamber developed during her Royal Rumble appearance, where she eliminated LeRae before ultimately being eliminated herself by Jax. “There could be an opportunity in Toronto. How do we reserve-engineer and get you there?” Stratus recalled discussing with WWE officials.

As her anniversary approaches, Stratus emphasized the evolution of the women’s division and reflected on the challenges she faced in her early career. “It doesn’t sink in that it’s been 25 years since I debuted. If we hadn’t fought hard for the storylines and the longer matches… We may not have been in the place where we’re in now,” she said. “We had to fight for that back then.”

Stratus’s influence on current stars remains palpable, with many of today’s wrestlers citing her and fellow Hall of Famer Lita as major inspirations. “Me and Lita were like ‘Whoah, we’ve really made an impact,’” Stratus expressed, surprised at the legacy they have created within the industry.

As she prepares for her return to the ring on March 1, Stratus is looking forward to the Elimination Chamber event and the chance to compete in her hometown of Toronto. This match not only represents a milestone in her career but also a celebration of the advancements made in women’s wrestling over the past two decades.