52-year-old star returns to WWE after more than 18 years; sends a message
A beloved wrestling veteran has reacted to their first WWE appearance in nearly two decades at a recent show. Francine showed up in the crowd on the latest episode of NXT, which marked her first appearance in the promotion in 18 years.
The veteran performer was a key member of ECW during its golden years from 1994-2001. She managed several notable names in the company like Tommy Dreamer, Shane Douglas, Justin Credible, and more. A few years after ECW folded, Francine finally joined WWE in 2006. However, things didn't quite pan out in her favor and she left the company a few months later after requesting her release.
Now, 18 years later, Francine finally made her first WWE appearance at NXT 2300 a few hours back, which went down in the iconic Arena 2300, which was home to ECW from 1993 to 2001. The 52-year-old star was present in the crowd and received a big pop from the fans in the arena when the camera captured her.
She has now taken to X/Twitter to react to her return. After NXT star Karmen Petrovic shared a backstage picture with the legend, the latter was quick to respond.
"It was so nice meeting you! You are a doll and a superstar! karmen_wwe," wrote Francine.
Francine was disappointed with her WWE run
Earlier this year, in an interview, Francine opened up about how she wasn't pleased with her presentation in WWE when she joined the company in 2006.
She added that after a failed plea to Vince McMahon to change the course of her booking, she went to John Laurinaitis and demanded to be let go from her contract.
"In 2006, I actually did sign, because I was told I was going to be a manager, but they had me doing bikini contests every weekend, and I was just like, 'I don't want to do this.' I'm 34 years old, and I have to do all this bikini stuff, and I'm just like, 'This is not what I signed up for.' I even told Vince to his face, 'Let me take Kevin Thorn's finisher!' He goes, 'We don't do that here.' I said, 'You don't let the girls bump here?' He goes, 'Well, I didn't watch ECW, I don't know anything about you.' All I did is go cry to Johnny Ace [John Laurinaitis], 'Give me my release, I wanna go home,'" Francine said.
It remains to be seen if Francine's appearance at NXT 2300 was only the beginning of a renewed association with the company or if it was a one-off.