Backstage News On Alexa Bliss's WWE Return Following End Of Contract Stand-Off

Alexa Bliss made her return to WWE as a surprise entrant in the 2025 women's Royal Rumble match, marking her first in-ring appearance for two years.

According to Fightful Select, Bliss was a very late addition to the match and the other participants didn't know of her participation until the day of the show. Alexa had not been present during the match's rehearsal on Friday, with Shotzi being there in her place.

Per Fightful's report, Shotzi was originally scheduled to be in the match, which would have marked her first main roster appearance since last year's Rumble.

Those that Fightful spoke to didn't hold anything against Bliss for taking the spot and were happy to see her back, though some felt bad about how things turned out for Shotzi.

PWNexus, meanwhile, noted that Bliss signed her new WWE deal at 5AM on the day of the Rumble, having been locked in a contract stand-off with the company prior to her return.

PWInsider Elite had further details of Alexa's day, mentioning that she was snuck into the building about 3PM, having flown to Indianapolis from Florida.

Furthermore, Bliss is expected to be part of the Raw brand moving forward, suggesting that she will not be involved in the Wyatt Sicks stable (at least in the short-term) as they are on SmackDown.

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