Alexa Bliss WWE comeback at the 2025 Royal Rumble wasnt just a shock for fansit was one of WWEs best-kept secrets, with even most of the locker room left in the dark.
According to Bodyslam.net, Bliss didnt finalize her new WWE deal until 5 AM on the day of the Rumble after intense last-minute negotiations. New deal signed at 5 AM day of Rumble. They came to an agreement. Not much more to it. Good for her, good for the fans, and good for WWE, a source revealed.
Once the deal was locked in, WWE pulled out all the stops to keep her return under wraps. Ringside News learned that Bliss was brought into Lucas Oil Stadium at around 3:00 PM Eastern Time and was immediately hidden from everyoneother wrestlers, production staff, and even key figures in the company.
The secrecy extended to rehearsals as well. Earlier reports stated that at the start of the day, Shotzi was still expected to take the spot Bliss eventually filled. Shotzi, who had been working in NXT to get back in ring shape, was originally lined up for the Womens Royal Rumble match, only for WWE to swap her out for Bliss at the last second.
While nobody is blaming Bliss, theres said to be sympathy backstage for Shotzi, who lost her Rumble spot without much warning.
WWE played into the secrecy even more by mocking online reports during the broadcast. Michael Cole sarcastically threw shade at wrestling media, saying, I thought the internet said she wasnt coming back, referring to reports from PWInsider and Wrestling Observer that stated WWE and Bliss were far apart on contract talks.
Bliss pulled off the ultimate WWE comeback, staying hidden until the last possible second and shocking the entire wrestling world. But while her return was a major moment, Shotzis sudden removal from the Rumble has fans wondering whats next for her. WWE clearly had their reasons for keeping this move under wraps, but did they make the right call? Let us know what you thinkwas this the perfect swerve, or did Shotzi deserve her moment in the spotlight?
