Lita was a pleasent surprise on the Jan. 14 episode of SmackDown! Ahead of her appearance coming up in the 2022 Royal Rumble, the four-time Women’s Champion made her way to the blue brand for the first time in nearly 20-years. But what did she have to say?
Going over her accomplishments and knowing that she didn’t have nearly as many opportunities as the women have today when it comes to certain matches, she still was the first of many. She proclaimed a very emphatic statement saying that she believes she has one more final run in her. Being the second Hall of Famer to announce a return over the past few weeks (the other being Beth Phoenix) many Diva fans are over the moon.
On Saturday’s Talking Smack, Lita had the following follow up to what she had said in the ring on Friday before delivering a Twist of Fate to the SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
“It was a blast. Honestly, I know it’s been forever since I’ve been on SmackDown but it felt like I was home. It was just nice to hear my music hit, get out there, and be in front of the fans again. A little nice precursor, a no-stress precursor to Royal Rumble where the pressure is on,” she said.
She continues, “Alright, so this one means a lot to me because this is the easiest, although it is extremely difficult, way to guarantee yourself a title shot at WrestleMania. I just decided to make so goals for 2022 and it involves heading to WrestleMania, so I am going to stay low so I don’t get thrown over the top rope and take out as many people as I can.”
After Lita made her appearance on SmackDown an interesting report came out from Fightful that stated she had talks with doing a run with AEW.
Via sources close to Lita, Fightful learned that AEW had reached out to her back in 2021 to appear on a show but the two sides were unable to come to terms. The pitch that was made to the Hall of Famer to appear in a top program with the AEW Women’s World Champion Dr. Britt Baker. There were talks between them and a creative plan laid out that could have possibly came to fruition around All Out but it did not end uphappening.
Despite this not happening, things ended on a positive note and things could still happen eventually. WWE sources confirmed that Lita has not been on their “no contact” list when it comes to injuries and she has been cleared for over four years. Lita was involved in the first Royal Rumble in 2018, took part in Evolution and had a tag team match on Raw of the same year. She has not appeared in the ring since.
Current card for the upcoming Royal Rumble event on Jan. 29
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Doudrop – Raw Women’s Championship
Maryse & The Miz vs. Beth Phoenix & Edge
30-woman Royal Rumble Match – SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, Women’s Tag Team Champions Carmella and Queen Zelina, Rhea Ripley, Nikki A.S.H., Shotzi, Natalya, Shayna Baszler, Naomi, Aliyah, 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke, Tamina, Lita, Kelly Kelly, Summer Rae, Michelle McCool, The Bella Twins, IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Mickie James, and 11 more TBD.
What do you think the future holds for Lita? Join the discussion below and check back in with Diva Dirt for all of your further news on the Royal Rumble.
