Stephaine McMahon hasn't stepped into a pro-wrestling ring in years as a competitior. However, there have been speculations of her returning to the ring once again in recent times. But Stephanie, in her own podcast, has made it clear that there are no comeback plans in sort for him inside the squared circle. On the latest episode of her “What’s Your Story?” podcast, featuring WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella as a guest, the subject of in-ring retirement was discussed.
The former SmackDown General Manager reflected on being asked about a potential comeback in the ring during the pre-show of the all-women’s WWE Evolution pay-per-view this July and noted that her response remains unchanged till today. Stephanie recalled being questioned about it and firmly
saying no at the time, and her stance stays the same, emphasising her confidence in the incredible talent of today’s women’s roster.
“Big E asked me on the pre-show, he goes, ‘Do you have one more match in you?’ And I’m like, ‘No.’ I’m like, ‘Have you seen this division?!?’ Same thing [now]. I’ll embarrass myself and the business if I try to hang with these women. But you’re in there doing it,” Stephanie McMahon said. The last match she wrestled was at WrestleMania 34 in April 2018 in a mixed tag with her husband Paul "Triple H" Levesque as her partner. Her last singles match had taken place years earlier, when she faced Nikki Bella’s sister, Brie Bella, and secured a victory at SummerSlam 2014.
Pro wrestlers never retire, whether they intend to or not: Nikki Bella
During the conversation, Nikki Bella mentioned how wrestlers don't always stick to their decision when it comes to professional wrestling. She pointed out that professional wrestlers never truly “retire”, regardless of their intentions. Stephanie McMahon admitted retirement works as a compelling story element at the time, but circumstances often shift. Nikki added that during her own return to the ring in WWE, she allowed herself some grace, recognising she was stepping back into a new era.
“I’ve had an era where I proved myself and proved [to] everyone. I was more on that mission of proving what I could do. And here, I want to prove myself with how I can hang and be in this badass division that’s just insane. They make it look so easy!” Nikki Bella said.
Nikki retired from the WWE in 2019, citing that her body cannot handle the punishment anymore, but now, in 2025, she has started a new chapter in her pro-wrestling career.
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