The wrestling world erupted when Alexa Bliss made her shocking return at the 2025 Royal Rumble after a two-year absence, but the story behind her surprise comeback reveals just how chaotic WWE’s last-minute decision-making can be. What fans didn’t know was that another superstar had already packed her bags and rehearsed for the match, only to watch from the sidelines as contract negotiations completely changed the night’s plans.
The Contract Drama That Almost Derailed Everything
Bliss’s Royal Rumble appearance at number 21 wasn’t just a surprise for fans—it was a nail-biting situation behind the scenes. Reports indicated that the former Raw and SmackDown Women’s Champion had been locked in contract negotiations with WWE, with both sides struggling to reach an agreement.
The resolution came down to the wire, with Bliss reportedly signing her new deal just 24 hours before stepping through the ropes in Indianapolis. This last-second agreement set off a domino effect that would leave one superstar heartbroken and scrambling.
Shotzi’s Emotional Roller Coaster
Speaking candidly on Unwrapped with Daria Berenato (formerly Sonya Deville), Shotzi pulled back the curtain on what became one of the most disappointing moments of her WWE career. The high-energy superstar revealed she was originally slated for the Royal Rumble match before everything changed.
“I heard mixed messages. A couple of producers said I was always in the Rumble. Then they told me last minute. I don’t know. I was very confused by it, but they didn’t relay anything to me until the day before.”
The timeline Shotzi described shows just how frantic WWE’s preparation became. At 3 PM on Saturday—less than 24 hours before the Royal Rumble—she received the call that would send her rushing to the airport with hastily packed bags.
From Rehearsals to Heartbreak
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching part of Shotzi’s story was that she had already gone through rehearsals for the match. She was mentally and physically prepared to compete on one of WWE’s biggest stages of the year.
The final blow came in the most deflating way possible. While getting her makeup done on Sunday—likely feeling the excitement building for her Royal Rumble moment—Shotzi learned her night was over before it began.
“The day of, I got told while I was in the makeup chair that I wasn’t in it.”
Alexa’s Classy Response
Despite being the beneficiary of this last-minute switch, Bliss had no idea about the behind-the-scenes drama until after her return. Shotzi revealed that the “Little Miss Bliss” character showed genuine remorse when she learned what happened.
“Honestly, if you’re going to take me out for anyone, at least make it be the biggest pop for the night. I have to say, Alexa had no idea someone was getting replaced. She had no idea any of that was going on. She felt so bad and she came up to me after and was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize they were taking someone out to get me in.'”
Shotzi’s gracious attitude about being replaced by one of WWE’s biggest stars shows the professionalism that has defined her career, even in disappointing moments.
The Aftermath and Moving Forward
This Royal Rumble situation proved to be a preview of bigger changes ahead for Shotzi. On May 3, 2025, she became part of WWE’s latest round of departures when the company informed her that her contract would not be renewed upon expiration.
The timing suggests that Shotzi may have already been on the bubble when Royal Rumble weekend arrived. Her removal from such a high-profile match could have been an early indicator of WWE’s plans for her future with the company.
What This Reveals About WWE’s Business
This behind-the-scenes story perfectly illustrates how quickly things can change in professional wrestling. Contract negotiations, creative decisions, and business priorities can completely alter a wrestler’s trajectory in a matter of hours.
For Bliss, the last-minute deal worked out perfectly, giving her one of the loudest reactions of the night and setting up her return storyline. For Shotzi, it became a painful reminder of how unpredictable a WWE career can be, even when you’ve done everything right in preparation.
As Shotzi moves on to the next chapter of her career outside WWE, her honest account of Royal Rumble weekend serves as a fascinating glimpse into the controlled chaos that defines sports entertainment’s biggest moments. Will we see more wrestlers speak so openly about these behind-the-scenes situations, or does Shotzi’s departure simply give her the freedom to tell these untold stories?
