2 Former WWE Wrestlers REJECT Royal Rumble 2022

WWE reached out to two former title-holders for Royal Rumble 2022, but got a negative response...

IInspiration Royal Rumble
WWE

The former IIconics have turned down the chance to appear in this year's WWE women's Royal Rumble, reports Fightful Select.

Several wrestlers let go by WWE since the COVID-19 pandemic's inception in 2020 have apparently been offered spots on Saturday's card, including Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay, who now go by The IInspiration in IMPACT wrestling.

Lee and McKay declined the opportunity as they did not feel the timing was right for them to return to WWE in any capacity. The duo were said to be happy with their career paths at the moment, having captured the IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championships from Decay in their first match for the Anthem-helmed promotion (Bound for Glory, 23 October 2021).

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Had they agreed to appear in the women's Rumble, Lee and McKay would become the second and third IMPACT wrestlers to do so following news of Knockouts Champion Mickie James' participation. Lee, McKay, and James were all released by WWE on the same day, 15 April 2021.

Fightful note that had The IInspiration wanted to do the Rumble, IMPACT officials would have signed off on it a la James. Similarly, WWE were okay with setting up the appearance on a similar basis.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.