Trish Stratus’s Post-Retirement WWE Career

Trish Stratus returned to WWE to help Becky Lynch and Lita defeat Damage CTRL to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. I love seeing Trish on TV because there are so many modern women I want her to interact with. She has had two WWE eras since retiring against Lita at Survivor Series 2006. Before returning two weeks ago, she wrestled Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2019. In honor of Trish Stratus’s potential Wrestlemania match, let’s look back at her WWE career.

It wasn’t until December 22nd, 2008, when Trish teamed up with John Cena to face Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix, that she competed in her first match since her retirement. Trish made sporadic appearances for the company in 2007 and 2008. As a guest host on Raw in 2009, she was forced to participate in a match where she teamed up with MVP and Mark Henry to defeat Beth Phoenix, Chris Jericho, and the Big Show. Trish made a second appearance in 2011, and she even participated in a plotline that ended with a Wrestlemania match.

When she returned to say she would be a trainer on Tough Enough, Vickie Guerrero and LayCool started a fight (Michelle McCool and Layla). Vickie Guerrero eventually defeated Trish in their match as a result of interference from LayCool. At Wrestlemania 27, Trish Stratus, Snooki, and John Morrison faced Michelle McCool, Layla, and Dolph Ziggler. Trish’s team won and she won on Raw the following night. She made more non-wrestling WWE appearances in 2011 and 2012.

Trish’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame was revealed in 2013. As Stephanie McMahon inducted her, she announced she was expecting a boy. Trish would not return to WWE until 2018.

The second phase of Stratus’ retirement career really began in 2018, which was a huge year for her. She made an appearance on the 25th-anniversary episode of Raw alongside other females who were crucial in paving the way and opening doors for females in contemporary WWE. Trish participated in the inaugural women’s Royal Rumble match the following week, coming in at position 30. She fought Mickie James, a former opponent, and Sasha Banks, which made fans imagine the two women fighting.

Trish was one of the match’s final five women before being eliminated by Sasha, who mocked her. A feud between Trish and Alexa Bliss developed after she made a second appearance on Raw a few months later. The two were scheduled to square off at the upcoming Evolution all-pay-per-view women’s event.

The match between Bliss and Stratus was converted during the buildup to the event into a tag team match, with Trish teaming up with Lita and Alexa teaming up with Mickie James. Due to an injury, the actual contest was between Trish Stratus and Lita and Mickie James and Alicia Fox (Alexa’s replacement), with Trish and Lita winning. The following night on Raw, Trish would compete in another match, this time joining forces with Lita, Natalya, Sasha Banks, and Bayley to defeat Alicia Fox, Mickie James, and the Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan).

Trish returned to WWE in 2019 and appeared as a guest on Jerry Lawler’s talk show. Trish’s hometown of Toronto was hosting SummerSlam that year, so it was only natural for her to make a few appearances prior to the event. Trish was challenged to a match at SummerSlam by Charlotte Flair, who interrupted the segment.

Trish and Natalya lost a tag team match to Charlotte and Becky Lynch before SummerSlam after being disqualified. As a result of a submission, Charlotte would triumph in a standout performance from both women. Trish showed she still has a lot of gas and deserves at least one more full run in the company.

All of this brings up Trish’s appearance on Raw a few weeks ago. At WrestleMania 39, she will team up with Lita and Becky Lynch to face Damage CTRL. Trish will give her all and make fans wish they could see her more often, no matter her role.

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