Trish Stratus: WWE Evolution ‘came about quite quickly for everyone’

Trish Stratus admits that the build to WWE Evolution has been a bit rushed, but she fully plans on delivering in her match against Tiffany Stratton.

At this Sunday’s all-women’s PLE, Stratus will challenge Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship. The match was made last week when Stratus returned on SmackDown and was chosen by Stratton as her Evolution opponent. The two successfully teamed together at Elimination Chamber in March, and their history dates back to 2024 when they had a backstage interaction at Money in the Bank.

Stratus told Notsam Wrestling that, given the quick build to Evolution, she is grateful that there is already a built-in story with her and Stratton. She believes it’s a fantasy matchup that fans have wanted to see.

“This entire card has seemed to be a quick turnaround, as it is, unfortunately. And I get it. There’s like 7,000 events a month, it seems like,” Stratus said. “But I think there’s a little bit of a built-in storyline, luckily, for Tiffany and I. You know, I love the fact that we had this connection. And I think people really were digging the Trishy Time [and] Tiffy Time thing. So I think that worked really well.

“But, you know, I think there was — people were seeing the parallels. There’s these two blondes who came into the business and, you know, a preconceived notion of what they can deliver in the ring and having to prove ourselves and knowing that like, you might think this is what you’re going to get from me in the ring, but now I have to work extra hard because I have to prove those people all wrong. So we both had to do that and had great success early on in our career.

“You know, she became champion at 25. I know a certain someone who became champion for the first time at 25 as well. So, you know, there’s a bit of — and luckily, I say — there’s a bit of a built-in storyline because, yeah, the whole Evolution kind of came about quite quickly for everyone. But I think with a little bit of that fantasy booking and seeing Tiff and I in there, I think people wanted it. And I think it’s going to really deliver. I know it’s going to deliver.”

Stratus did not compete in 2024 but will now be wrestling in her third match this year. The WWE Hall of Famer was an entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble in February and later teamed with Stratton to defeat Nia Jax & Candice LeRae at Elimination Chamber.

When asked if she’ll be sticking around after Evolution, Stratus said she’s viewed the appearances she’s made this year as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of her WWE debut — and she’s leaving the door open for more appearances before 2025 ends.

“This is perfect, the way it’s been written, almost,” Stratus said. “If you were to look at the year of like how it should go. We’re only, what — it’s only July, isn’t it?”

“I literally have said, if you guys want some more Stratusfaction, just let me know. And if you don’t, then let me know too — I don’t care really about what those guys say. But, yeah, if you want more Stratusfaction, let me know.”

Evolution is being held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Sunday. It’s the first time the PLE has taken place since its inaugural edition in 2018.