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...
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).
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.