Former WWE Women's Champion Layla open to end in-ring retirement, recalls Royal Rumble invitation
English professional wrestler Layla was signed to World Wrestling Entertainment from 2006 to 2015. During this time, she held the Divas Title at one point, and was also the final holder of the Women's Championship, unifying the belt with the former at Night of Champions 2010.
Despite being a significant part of the women's division in the aughts, Layla's contributions have often gone under the radar owing to that particular era not giving prominence to women's wrestling. She retired from in-ring competition upon her WWE release in 2015.
In an interview with the Heated Shenanigans Podcast recently, Layla opened up about her retirement from wrestling when asked about a potential return. She revealed that it was a genuine feeling at the time, that she was done for good. But times have changed and the division has become incredibly relevant today, so the former Women's Champion is interested in stepping back:
"Honestly, prior, I think people were well aware that I was absolutely done, I'm retired, that was great, and I closed that part of my life away. But now, I'm open to it. So if there is an invitation, I will definitely take that and I would love to go back. Even if it is one time, I would love to do it. So I am open to that now. I definitely am," she said. [From 2:00 to 2:30]
With the Royal Rumble event fast approaching, it is that time of year when legends of the company make one-off appearances. In the past, Mickie James, Trish Stratus, Lita, and Michelle McCool, have all entered the Women's Royal Rumble.
Layla reveals she was invited to WWE Royal Rumble in 2021
The Women's Royal Rumble was introduced in 2018 and has since become an annual tradition. Layla has never entered the Rumble match.
In the aforementioned interview, the 47-year-old recalled getting an invitation for the 2021 match but she just couldn't see that happening at the time. This was also the time when the pandemic had affected the entire world. The 2021 edition happened in the ThunderDome Era:
"Isn't that amazing?" Layla on women getting their own annual Royal Rumble match. "Well, clearly, I've never been in a Royal Rumble. I've been in many battle royals or bikini battle royals where I was in for like five seconds, so yeah," she recalled. "I was invited prior. I think it was 2021. I was thinking about doing it, but then I just couldn't. It didn't work out." [From 2:40 to 3:08]
Needless to say, Layla joining the women's division in 2025 would be a major boost for the company on account of her veteran status. She also expressed a desire to reunite with Michelle McCool.
If you use any of the quotes, please credit Heated Shenanigans and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.