As WWE continues on the road to WrestleMania, plans can shift and change, even when it comes to legendary appearances that could set up storylines for the big event.
Trish Stratus is recognized as one of the most significant female Superstars in WWE history, having played a pioneering role in the evolution of the women’s division. While a recent return had been anticipated, it didn’t come to fruition.
During the Attitude Era, Stratus was often seen as a sex symbol, and she endured some uncomfortable moments. For instance, in the infamous dog barking segment with Vince McMahon, she didn’t mind as much as one might expect.
When WWE Hall of Famer Lita returned to Monday Night RAW, assisting Becky Lynch in defeating Bayley, reports suggested that Stratus would appear the following week to set up a match featuring Damage CTRL at Elimination Chamber. However, Stratus was absent from the show.
According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer, WWE reportedly plans to revive the previously scrapped idea of Stratus’ return ahead of WrestleMania 39.
“Trish Stratus was at one point scheduled for Raw on 2/13 at the Barclays Center, but it was canceled. The reports were it was due to Kai’s injury.
On paper it sounds like they were trying to build Lynch & Lita & Stratus vs. Damage Ctrl. We were told that the Stratus angle isn’t dead and that the match wasn’t scheduled for Elimination Chamber.
Kai & Sky defending the women’s tag titles against Rousey & Baszler is still on for Mania. Whether that means Damage Ctrl would work twice over Mania or something completely different isn’t known at this point, only that there was a planned angle for this past week to bring Stratus back that was canceled and is still expected to be revisited at some point.”
