Trish Stratus Reflects On Laying The Groundwork For The Women’s Evolution

Trish Stratus is equally as grateful for the appreciation her co-workers show her as today’s stars are for the path she paved.

Trish Stratus was WWE’s Diva of the Decade. Before there was even a Women’s Evolution, there was Trish Stratus Paving the way and having the best matches she could with fellow workhorses like Lita, Jazz, Victoria, Molly Holly, and more.

Speaking about the path she paved, Trish Stratus told the Bella Twins on their podcast that she is proud to have laid the groundwork and re-educate the fans on what they could expect from a female performer but it was equally about earning the accolades and respect from her co-workers.

“I just sort of go ‘you’re welcome,’ to everyone [laughs]. No, of course, it was a collaborative effort for sure. It was laying the groundwork and from the beginning, it was re-educating the fans on what to expect from a female performer, the acceptance of the fans, the acceptance of the producers backstage for them to be like, ‘Okay, we can give them this.’ I remember, one time, to have a hardcore match was a big deal. ‘I don’t think they can handle it.’ ‘Why can’t we handle it when they can handle it? We can handle it too.’ I took a chair shot from Victoria and people were unhappy that happened, but why? The guys take chair shots all the time and I wanted it. I consent to this. So many players along the way. Look at Jazz, Victoria, Molly Holly, Mickie James. It’s cool to watch and to hear people talk about, ‘this inspired me, this event inspired me.’ It’s touching. When you set out to do what you do in your world, the aim is to please and get the accolades from your co-workers. That was a big part for me, to earn the respect of my co-workers. I did pretty good.”

Lita, arguably Trish Stratus’ greatest rival, will be representing their generation and challenging herself against Becky Lynch in a match for the Raw Women’s Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 19. Learn more here.

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