The WWE Hall of Famer explains how all three major promotions pursued her before she signed in 1999
Summary
– Trish Stratus revealed that WWE, WCW, and ECW all showed interest in signing her
– She said Terry Taylor helped pass her information to Jim Ross before leaving WWE for WCW
– Stratus ultimately chose WWE after already deciding it was the best fit for her career
Trish Stratus entered professional wrestling during one of the industry’s most competitive periods, and she has now opened up about how WWE, WCW, and ECW all pursued her before she officially signed.
Speaking with POST Wrestling, Stratus explained that her path into wrestling developed naturally because she was already a genuine fan. Appearances on programs such as Off the Record and Live Audio Wrestling put her in the company of wrestling personalities. Still, she said there was never a calculated plan to use those opportunities to get into the business.
Michael Hayes was among the first to suggest that Stratus seriously consider wrestling. After meeting him during a television appearance, she began considering the possibility and eventually assembled a press kit featuring her fitness modeling work and magazine covers.
Stratus said Terry Taylor had possession of her package before leaving WWE for WCW. According to Stratus, Taylor passed the material to Jim Ross and essentially told him that if WWE did not sign her, WCW would. That helped open the door for WWE to contact her.
WWE was not the only company interested. Stratus revealed that Paul Heyman also contacted her about ECW, while Tammy Sytch became involved in those conversations as well. Suddenly, Stratus found herself receiving attention from all three major North American wrestling promotions despite having very little experience at the time.
Stratus said she received offers from WWE, WCW, and ECW. WCW continued recruiting her even after WWE had entered the picture, and she recalled going backstage during a WCW event while still exploring her options.
Despite that interest, Stratus said her mind was already leaning toward WWE. She viewed the WCW visit as a courtesy and an opportunity to experience the environment, but WWE remained the destination she wanted.
Before WWE officially signed her, Stratus took another important step by finding Ron Hutchison’s wrestling school after learning that Edge had trained there. She began training on her own so she would be prepared if WWE called.
That decision made an impression when Jim Ross eventually flew her to Connecticut for a meeting in November 1999. Stratus told Ross that she had already been training for several months, which she believes helped demonstrate that she was serious about becoming more than just a personality or model.
A contract arrived at her home only a few days later.
Looking back, Stratus described the entire process as surreal. She went from being a wrestling fan and fitness model to having WWE, WCW, and ECW suddenly competing for her services before she had even established herself in the ring.
