WWE Hall of Famer says 44-year-old's iconic first title win was strikingly similar to Iyo Sky's
Iyo Sky cashed in her Money in the Bank contract at SummerSlam 2023 to win her first singles championship since her WWE return at the same event one year prior. Sky was the heel against babyface star Bianca Belair, but the crowd cheered for her as they were ready for the Japanese star's coronation in the women's division.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus recently looked back at her rivalry with Mickie James, which culminated at WrestleMania 22 with James winning her first Women's Championship.
Speaking to Inside The Ropes, Stratus felt that the win was similar to Iyo Sky's from last year because WWE fans were ready for Mickie James to finally win the big one. The latter was a despised heel in the storyline who was obsessed with the Hall of Famer:
"Back then, storylines were important but they maybe lasted one, two pay-per-views," Stratus said. "But we were so lucky to have this storyline that just went on and on. We got the chance to really take the fans on a ride and really evoke an emotion from them. Ultimately we got to culminate [at] WrestleMania 22, [which] was Mickie James' first time winning a championship."
Trish Stratus pointed to several highlights from their match on the grand stage, including late WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro's involvement in the angle and the latter's reaction to James' win. But she concluded by stating that it was the 44-year-old's first title win that mattered most:
"It was also that organic time where they were ready for Mickie to [win] almost in the Iyo Sky way," Stratus continued. "They were excited for her. As a heel, she won the chance to become champion, but they were ready for her to have her moment." [h/t Wrestling Inc]
Mickie James went on to become a mainstay in WWE. Her feud with Trish Stratus paved the way for later generations to build upon. This lengthy storyline is often cited as the best from the aughts in the women's division.
Mickie James on why she still wrestles in 2024; expresses interest in facing Rhea Ripley in WWE
After leaving World Wrestling Entertainment in 2010, Mickie James would only return in 2016. She stayed with the company until 2021. James has also performed in TNA and NWA and is presently the Creative Director, Head of Female Talent, and Executive Producer of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
Speaking to the Under The Ring podcast, James revealed that she always wanted to bring eyes to women's wrestling. This is the reason why she continues as an in-ring performer:
"When I left WWE, I wanted to do something for women's wrestling," James said. "To change the game for women has always been my number one priority since 1998 when I first stepped into a wrestling school and realized that we were different, and treated different, and, the opportunities were different for women than they were for men."
She disclosed late last year that a first-time-ever match against Rhea Ripley intrigues her. James' husband, Nick Aldis, is signed to the Stamford-based promotion as SmackDown's General Manager. They were present at the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.