WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is set to mark her 25th anniversary in professional wrestling by challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship for the first time in nearly two decades. On Sunday night at WWE Evolution, she will face reigning champion Tiffany Stratton in a generational clash that Stratus insists is about more than adding an eighth title to her decorated career.
“It’s about continuing to defy expectations,” Stratus explained. “At this stage in my life and career, people love to ask, ‘Why are you still doing this?’ And my answer is simple: because I can. Passion doesn’t have an expiration date.”
This championship opportunity follows a remarkable recent run for the veteran. Stratus made a surprise return at this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble Match, entering at number 25. A month later, she teamed with her upcoming opponent, Tiffany Stratton, for a tag team victory at WWE Elimination Chamber in her hometown of Toronto.
For Stratus, this latest chapter is driven by a renewed sense of purpose. “It’s not just about proving something to the audience or to my opponent—it’s about proving it to myself, and showing my daughter that you don’t have to fit into the box the world tries to put you in,” she told The Takedown on SI. “You can evolve, reinvent, and keep showing up, no matter where you are in life.”
This drive was evident in her acclaimed 2023 steel cage match against Becky Lynch at WWE Payback. Though she was defeated, the performance proved Stratus still had more to offer. “Win, lose, or draw, I want to walk away from this match [at Evolution] with the fans knowing that I gave everything I have,” she stated. “If I can inspire even one person to chase their dream a little harder or silence that voice telling them they’re ‘too old’ or ‘past their prime,’ then I’ve already won.”
Stratus, who retired from full-time competition in 2006, credits the first-ever all-women’s WWE Evolution event in 2018 as a pivotal moment in her return. Teaming with her friend Lita, she felt the event was a powerful statement for women’s wrestling.
“Evolution was maybe the spark for me personally,” Stratus reflected. “It lit something inside me. In a way, looking back, probably starting with participating in the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble, then teaming with my bestie at Evolution… it kind of opened the door to everything that I’ve ended up doing in the ring since then.”
The build to her current title match has been swift. After returning to SmackDown on July 4, Stratus was immediately positioned as the next challenger for the championship. The opportunity came while she was also filming the feature film Karate Ghost, forcing her to balance stunt training, conditioning, and recovery for both demanding roles.
In her opponent, Tiffany Stratton, Stratus sees a reflection of her own journey. The two have been compared for their rapid ascents to the top of their respective divisions at a young age.
“What’s been so cool for me is seeing a little bit of myself in Tiffany’s journey,” Stratus said. “Even back then, you could tell she had something special. But what I’ve seen since then is real growth—not just as a performer, but as a woman finding her voice in this business.”
Stratus acknowledges the immense pressure on a young champion. “I remember that pressure—having to go out there night after night and prove you do belong. And that’s exactly what Tiffany’s been doing. She’s showing the world that she’s not just style, she’s substance.” As she prepares for their match at Evolution, Stratus recognizes that Stratton is not just stepping into the spotlight, but owning it.
