Alexa Bliss is officially back in WWE, but her Royal Rumble return wasnt just a surprise to fansit caught plenty of people backstage off guard too.
According to Fightful Select, Bliss inclusion in the 2025 Royal Rumble match was a late decision, with even fellow WWE stars unaware of her return until the day of the event. She wasnt present at Fridays rehearsals, and at the start of Saturday, the belief was that someone else would be in her spot.
That someone else was Shotzi, who had originally been penciled in for the Rumble match. Shotzi, who missed significant time with a knee injury, had been competing in NXT to get back into ring shape ahead of a main roster return. The expectation was that the Rumble would be her official comeback, but those plans were scrapped in favor of Bliss at the last minute.
While no one is holding anything against Alexa, theres reportedly some sympathy backstage for Shotzi, who was seemingly bumped from the lineup without much notice.
Bliss return came with WWE taking shots at wrestling media, with Michael Cole sarcastically addressing online reports that claimed she wasnt returning. However, Fightful confirmed that PWInsider and Wrestling Observer were indeed accurate in reporting earlier in the week that Bliss and WWE were far apart in contract negotiationswhich made her sudden comeback all the more surprising.
With Alexa Bliss officially back in WWE, the focus now shifts to whats next for her on the road to WrestleMania. But while Bliss is celebrating her return, Shotzis missed opportunity has fans wondering if shell still get her moment.
Was this just bad timing, or did WWE make the wrong call? Let us know what you think in the comments!
