When WWE held its all-women’s premium live event, Evolution II, on July 13, the absence of former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly was noted by fans. Initial reports, and even a social media comment from Kelly herself, suggested she declined an invitation because she was only offered a seat in the crowd and not a wrestling role. However, in a recent interview, Kelly has provided a completely different reason for missing the show.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Kelly explained that her decision was based on family priorities, not creative dissatisfaction. The event in Atlanta took place on the only weekend she had off, and a conflict prevented her children from being able to attend.
“I wanted to talk about this, because it was a thing,” Kelly stated. “When I got the call, it was in Atlanta, obviously… I feel like when I come back, I want my kids to see me there and they wouldn’t been able to make it.”
She also directly addressed the narrative that she would only return for an in-ring spot, a story she attributed to “dirt sheets.”
“Somebody on the dirt sheets was like, ‘Oh, somebody in the higher ups said that she only wants to come back if she has a match’, which could not have been farther from the truth,” she clarified. “I didn’t need a match to come back.”
Kelly further explained that the invitation was extended on short notice, making cross-country travel from her home in Los Angeles difficult, especially since her husband was also working that weekend. She confirmed there was never any conversation about her having a match and that WWE officials were understanding of her situation.
Her absence was notable as Kelly, despite departing from her full-time contract back in 2012 to heal a neck injury, has made several appearances for the company in recent years, including competing in the 2018, 2020, and 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble matches.
Kelly Kelly first debuted on the ECW brand in 2006 at just 19 years old, making her the youngest female performer on the roster. Her early character involved a segment called “Kelly’s Exposé” and an on-screen role with Layla and Brooke Adams in the group “Extreme Exposé.”
Her career peaked in June 2011 on a “Power to the People” episode of Raw where fans voted for her to challenge for the Divas Championship. She defeated Brie Bella to capture her first and only title in WWE, a reign that lasted 104 days and included successful defenses against Beth Phoenix before ultimately losing the championship to her at Hell in a Cell that October.