WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has officially debunked a long-standing rumor concerning a dream match that fans have discussed for nearly a decade. In a new interview, Stratus set the record straight about a heavily speculated match against Asuka.
For years, it has been rumored that WWE originally wanted Stratus to face Asuka at the NXT TakeOver: Toronto event back in 2016. Speaking with Inside the Ropes, Stratus confirmed this was never in the company’s plans.
The WWE Rumor Debunked
The speculation began because the major NXT event was taking place in Stratus’s hometown of Toronto. At the time, Asuka was in the midst of a legendary undefeated streak, and fans assumed a hometown hero like Stratus would be brought in for the major challenger role.
“Nope, no, no, that never was a thing,” Stratus confirmed. “I think people just assumed it because Toronto and they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s of course it’s gonna be Trish Stratus.'”
She also pointed out a flaw in one version of the rumor, which claimed she couldn’t do the match because she was pregnant. “Don’t know if I was even pregnant at that time — 2016, 2016, I was not pregnant. Lies. Debunked it right here. Officially debunked.”
Asuka’s Reign Of Terror
The context of the time explains why the rumor was so believable. In 2016, Asuka was the most dominant force in all of WWE, holding the NXT Women’s Championship and an unprecedented undefeated streak that would eventually last for 914 days.
She had run through the entire NXT women’s roster, and for a major show like TakeOver, a special, credible challenger was needed to face “The Empress of Tomorrow.”
Given that the event was in Toronto, fans naturally connected the dots to the city’s greatest wrestling hero, Trish Stratus. Her own retirement match against Lita at Unforgiven 2006 took place in Toronto, making her synonymous with major events in the city.
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What Really Happened
While Stratus was never in the running, WWE did bring back a fellow legend for the match. Mickie James, who had been released from WWE in 2010 and had a successful run in TNA, made her surprise return to the company to challenge Asuka.
The match was highly acclaimed and served as a major test for the dominant champion. James’s performance was so well-received that it led to her being re-signed to a full-time WWE contract shortly after.
After nearly a decade of “what if” scenarios discussed by fans, Stratus has finally put the rumor to rest.
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