Beth Phoenix: I’m Not Done Lacing Up The Boots Forever
Beth Phoenix hasn’t put a cap on her in-ring career just yet.
Phoenix, who is part of the NXT commentary team, hasn’t wrestled since competing in the 2020 women’s Royal Rumble. Despite her inactivity, many of the current wrestlers have angled for a match against the Hall of Famer.
Speaking to Renee Paquette on Oral Sessions, Phoenix says she hasn’t closed that chapter of her career just yet.
“I am (medically cleared),” she stated. “Once a wrestler, always a wrestler. I’m not gonna lie about it. I feel like, you couldn’t do this and want to do this your whole life without having that little bug. I get so happy to be in the conversation of today’s stars would look forward to facing. When I left WWE, I felt really insignificant and like I hadn’t done anything. Like I hadn’t moved the needle. I felt so sad about that part but okay to move on. Now, I’m getting this wonderful recognition from today’s women and it makes me feel so good. As far as coming back to the ring, I say this in every interview, ‘never say never.’ If the right opportunity arose and I could do business, that’s all I could care about. Would I love to have a retirement match, a big farewell, and give someone the high five and pass the torch? Heck yes, but there is only a limited amount of people I could do that for where, as on commentary, I can do that for two hours every single week. Every week, I can tell you how awesome Indi Hartwell is and tell you ‘look at Shotzi Blackheart’s improvements’ and help all the talent weekly on commentary. In that respect, I love commentary because I feel like I’m contributing in a positive way. The in-ring stuff, I don’t know what the future brings. I don’t write off anything or close any doors. If there were something that WWE is interested in doing, I would love to say goodbye and high-five somebody and give them an endorsement from a Hall of Famer. Who wants to retire a Hall of Famer?”
Phoenix didn’t give a specific name when pressed, but did say, “I have a feeling there is somebody that will end up across the ring from me at some point. I don’t want to give any clues on that, but I don’t think Beth Phoenix is done lacing up the boots forever. Right now, with Adam’s current position, I have been in a supportive role and fortunately, it’s helpful for him to have a wife that he can bodyslam. I’ve been in the ring and pouring my energy into that. I do have some personal goals and I know the time is ticking on that stuff. There are little conversations had here and there.”
It is unknown when or if Phoenix will return to the ring. She teamed with Natalya up returning in 2019, which included a match at WrestleMania 35, but hasn’t wrestled a singles match since 2012.
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