Below are a couple of top WWE & AEW news stories of the day, involving Trish Stratus and Bryan Danielson.
• Trish Stratus recently returned to WWE programming, hosting the Money In The Bank Premium Live Event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she participated in a backstage segment with Tiffany Stratton. During the post-event press conference, Stratton expressed her readiness to face the veteran in a potential match.
Speaking on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez this week, the WWE Hall of Famer reflected on her recent run, stating that she felt she had “checked off some boxes” and would consider coming back for a match with Stratton if she could achieve more.
Stratus made her return in early 2023 to feud with Damage CTRL, teaming up with Lita and Becky Lynch. This storyline saw Stratus turn heel, attack Lynch, and align with Zoey Stark, culminating in a steel cage match against Lynch at WWE Payback 2023, which concluded her run.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Stratus discussed the possibility of returning to WWE. “Cody isn’t the only one with an unfinished story,” said Stratus. “I loved being back as a special guest in Toronto at Money in the Bank. And who knows, if I can still go, I’ll still keep going. I’ll never half-a$$ it. If fans are interested and it can influence another generation, then we’ll see.”
WATCH: Trish Stratus Pulls Her Pants Down:
• When Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) left WWE in 2021, he penned a “Thank You, WWE” letter in the Players’ Tribune. In it, he wrote the following about Vince McMahon:
“Thank you to the Big Man, who I know hates to be acknowledged. I won’t say much, but thank you for the conversations, the life lessons (about both what to do and what not to do), and the best hug I’ve ever received. I wish more people could see you how I see you.”
Since then, the situation regarding McMahon has dramatically changed. He has been accused of $exual abuse and $ex trafficking by former employee Janel Grant, who filed a lawsuit against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis.
In an interview on The Gorilla Position, Bryan was asked if his feelings towards McMahon had changed over the years. Here’s what he said:
“It’s been, first and foremost, I want to say that the people who have been hurt are in a way worse position than I am. My empathy goes to them. There is not a lot I want to say about it, honestly.
It’s not just the Vince piece. It’s also, my father-in-law (John Laurinaitis), maybe ex-father-in-law, as far as that kind of stuff goes. You think of somebody in some way. Then something happens and it changes. That is always hard.
As hard as it may be for me, emotionally, it’s way worse for people who have been victimized by people in power.”
Bryan chose not to comment on how Brie & Nikki Garcia (fka The Bella Twins) feel about the situation, leaving that for them to speak on if they decide to.
