After an unsuccessful challenge for the WWE Women’s Championship against Tiffany Stratton at the Evolution premium live event on July 13, Trish Stratus addressed her future, leaving fans to wonder if her time in the ring is nearing its end.
The match, her first singles contest since September 2023, was presented as a generational dream match. Although Stratton secured the pinfall victory to retain her title, the post-match moments were defined by the crowd, who gave the Hall of Famer a standing ovation.
During the post-show press conference, Stratus was contemplative about what comes next in her storied career.
“I have that thought like, ‘Is this the last time? It could be.’”
She continued, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to compete with the current generation of talent, a group whose success was built on the foundation she helped create.
“It’s been 20 years. Is it 2005? Like, what the heck. It’s never lost on me how lucky I am to know we built; me, Ivory, Jackie, the girls you saw in the audience. Lita, of course, Mickie. We built the foundation that they built a skyscraper on. Now that I get to come back and dip into that skyscraper, I feel blessed.”
The appearance at Evolution is just one part of a busy 25th anniversary year for Stratus. She made her return to the company during the 2025 Royal Rumble and has been involved in several key storylines, including a tag team victory at Elimination Chamber in her hometown of Toronto. In addition to her in-ring activities, she is also on a celebratory autograph tour and has joined the cast of the action-comedy film Karate Ghost.
Despite her success and longevity, Stratus admitted to feeling the pressure to keep pace with today’s roster.
“I always have the worry, ‘I have to make sure I can hang with these girls.’ I watch the girls and I’m like (stammering).”
However, that worry is also a source of motivation. At 49 years old, she aims to challenge the conventional ideas about career longevity in professional wrestling, a sentiment she powerfully articulated.
“I want to knock down the preconceived notions about maybe there is no expiration date until you say it is. It’s not over until you say it’s over.”