WWE legend Trish Stratus experienced a remarkable resurgence last year, reclaiming her spot on Monday Night RAW as a regular fixture and reigniting her persona as the Diva of the Decade.
In a notable departure from her previous babyface roles, Stratus revived her immensely popular heel character during her intermittent appearances in the company. Throughout her return, she engaged in memorable battles with a new generation of stars, most notably her prolific rivalry with The Man, Becky Lynch, which reached its climax at WWE Payback.
Reflecting on her comeback and the evolution of her character, Stratus shed light on the contrasting approaches of former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and current WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. She disclosed during a recent appearance on ‘The Game Plan‘ podcast that while McMahon initially hesitated about her heel turn, Triple H enthusiastically supported the idea, ultimately leading to its success with the audience.
“Trying to force you [fans] to change your mind. I think it’s cool. I know Vince [McMahon] like even for the longest time, Vince wasn’t on board with me coming back and being a heel. He’s like, ‘They’ll never boo you’, and then it was Triple H who was like, ‘All right, let’s give this a try’ kind of thing and he enjoyed the idea of Becky [Lynch] and I having a program. But, it is a bit of work. I remember the first time, did the heel turn and came back in that outfit – my first promo – and it was vintage Trish Stratus. And then coming out, like it was audible people were like, ‘Oh yeah, she is.’ But they were quickly to be like, ‘Yeah, I mean, boo.’ I think that we’re all along for the ride. They love to hate me and it’s kind of waking up the audience like, ‘I need you guys to boo me here. This is what I’m doing here,’ and wrestling fans, that’s what we do right? It’s a relationship that we have.”
Stratus recalled the transition to her heel persona, describing the initial skepticism from fans swiftly turning into boos as she embraced her villainous role once again. Despite the initial uncertainty, Stratus emphasized the collaborative nature of wrestling and the dynamic relationship between performers and fans. She acknowledged the role of wrestling fans in embracing the storyline, stating that their willingness to “love to hate” her character ultimately contributed to its success.
In essence, Stratus highlighted the dynamic nature of wrestling storytelling and the importance of audience engagement in shaping character arcs. Her return as a heel character not only revitalized her own career but also added depth and excitement to the WWE landscape, showcasing the enduring appeal of the iconic Diva of the Decade.
