10 Things We Learned From WWE 24: Trish Stratus

2. SummerSlam Started With An Autograph Signing

Trish Stratus Charlotte Flair
WWE.com

WWE didn't have some grand plan to end Trish's in-ring career and use her star power to put Charlotte Flair over. The company didn't even think about putting her on the card at SummerSlam at all until Stratus herself pitched that she could tap out to Flair's submission finish and close her story in her native Toronto.

It all started with one innocent phone call.

A WWE staffer phoned Trish and asked if she'd be up for working an autograph signing gig during SummerSlam weekend. The wheels started turning in Stratus' head after that; within a few days, she hatched the idea of a dream match against Charlotte and pitched it to Vince. He apparently fell off his chair when he heard her vision.

Trish had wanted a singles match ever since teaming with Lita at Evolution in October 2018. As much as she enjoyed buddying up with an old pal, Stratus wasn't satisfied (Stratusfied?) with a doubles effort. She wanted more, and she wanted Charlotte.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.