Women’s Wrestling Pioneer Trish Stratus Is Back in WWE

Two decades after she first rose to fame, the Hall of Famer is back to wrestle a tag-team match at ‘WrestleMania 39.’

Trish Stratus is back for WrestleMania. And potentially even more.

The wrestling legend, who first emerged in WWE more than two decades ago, is bringing new life to the Becky Lynch–Bayley program. If Stratus has her way, this will also shine a bright spotlight on the immensely talented Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai, both of whom are working to become household names.

“That’s a big reason why I’m back,” says Stratus. “This is another chance for me to give back and to pass on some of what I’ve learned.”

Stratus is teaming with Lynch and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Lita at WrestleMania 39 against Bayley, Sky and Kai. Long before they were allies, she and Lita were heated enemies—and the storied feud between Stratus and Lita will be highlighted on a new episode of WWE Rivals that will debut on Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on A&E.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Stratus discussed her decision to return, a missed opportunity at WrestleMania 21 and how she has helped influence pro wrestling.

Sports Illustrated: If you’ve ever seen the Broadway musical Wicked, the two main characters—Glinda and Elphaba—remind me of a similar career arc to Trish Stratus and Lita.

Trish Stratus: That’s an amazing analogy. That’s us.

Almost right away, we noticed this intangible between us. There was such a diversity between us. Then there were Lita fans, and there were Trish fans. We were completely different. And it’s so interesting for people to see us team together because of the evolution of our characters.

SI: Throughout the rivalry, you’ve been heated rivals, as well as the best of friends. When you started working together, dating as far back as a Fully Loaded mixed tag match in 2000, what were your first impressions of Lita?

TS: I was totally intimidated by her. She could do crazy s--- in the ring. I’d been training for three months. Given the chance, I knew I could do more. I’d always played sports, like soccer and field hockey, and I loved wrestling, so I picked it up super fast.

The psychology is what really clicked for me. But I looked at her as the wrestler. I wasn’t there yet. But I wanted to prove I could hang with her.

SI: One of the staples of your career is making the most of your time on air.

TS: If I had two minutes, I wanted to make it the best two minutes I had. I never knew I wanted to be a wrestler when I was growing up. Michael Hayes met me when I was in the fitness business, and he said, “You could be a wrestler.” I was a bikini model, but I knew I could speak, too. I loved the crossover from the “I want puppies” chants to fans wanting to see us wrestle. Then we got the visibility for wrestling, and that’s when I decided that I wanted to be the representation and voice of it.

SI: There were plenty of legendary women in wrestling before you, including pioneers like Mildred Burke, but no one had ever presented themselves like you did in that era after the turn of the century. So much of your most memorable work took place with Lita, including when you suffered a broken nose at Survivor Series in 2004. That is the most inspiring part about your success, as well as your feud with Lita—you weren’t necessarily supposed to become stars, yet you turned yourselves into stars.

TS: When Lita and I were coming up, we were a sideshow. But we became a voice. We represented the division and we set out to change the preconceived notion about what women could be in this business. It was not easy. A lot of it was uphill. But we persevered and we made great strides.

SI: WrestleMania 21 in Hollywood was supposed to be the moment that you and Lita faced off one on one, but her injury prevented that from happening. It is amazing that nearly 20 years later you’re teaming up together at this year’s Hollywood-themed WrestleMania.

TS: We were so disappointed to lose that singles match. We’d been working toward that WrestleMania. I was driven to reach a new point in my wrestling, and I geared up for that moment.

Who would have thought we’d have this match now? We’ve mostly been rivals, so it’s cool that we’re teamed up. We’ve been best friends since the very beginning. I feel so honored and blessed that I can do this with my very best friend. My ring is set up in Toronto, so I’ll be ready for WrestleMania.

SI: It appeared that your retirement match took place in 2019 against Charlotte, but it is great to have you back, especially considering what brought you back is your love and passion for the craft.

TS: I’ll only come back if it’s fun. I’m taking time away from my businesses and my babies. I love passing the torch and passing on my knowledge. It’s the little things that make a superstar. Was I the greatest wrestler? I don’t know, but I knew how to make people take notice. I loved that about working with Charlotte. When you hear Sasha Banks or Charlotte or Nattie [Natalya Neidhart] talk about our influence, that makes me go, “Oh s---. I want to keep doing this, and now with them.”

SI: Feeling the reaction from the crowd, does it feel like you’re back in time?

TS: Wrestling feels like home. I know who I am out there. I know how to work with the crowd. I know a crowd, I love a crowd, and that’s why I love being back on Raw.

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.