The wheels were put in motion this past Monday on Raw for a Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch match when the former cost the Lynch and Lita the Women's Tag Team Championships and then turned on The Man. But, don't expect that match to take place anytime soon. While the storyline might suggest a bout between the two as early as WrestleMania Backlash, WWE is set to get some mileage out of a rivalry between Stratus and Lynch.
According to Dave Meltzer on the latest "Wrestling Observer Radio," the company is planning Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus for their biggest night of the summer, and the bout will take place at SummerSlam. A Stratus heel turn was speculated as soon as the WWE Hall of Famer returned to WWE, but she was teamed with Lita and Lynch to help them win tag team gold vs. Damage CTRL. WWE then booked a six-woman tag match at WrestleMania 39 and Stratus was key in helping the babyfaces retain the titles. Then, it seemed like the company quickly shifted gears and turned Stratus on this week's episode of Raw. While the turn might have felt rushed, WWE plans to play the long game before they bring this battle to an end.
This is notable for a few reasons. First, WWE must believe they can keep fans interested in this feud for a few months. SummerSlam doesn't take place until August. This is also intriguing because it suggests Stratus will be around long enough to work a program until that premium live event. If WWE feels Lynch vs. Stratus is a match worth promoting on one of the biggest shows of the year, they'll need Stratus around to help sell the story.
Might Stratus Take A Break For A Bit?
It's not clear if Stratus will be at next week's Raw, but it would make a bit of sense to keep her off the show and have Lynch address her after being attacked. Stratus was asked for comment this week and simply walked out of the building without saying a word. Building intrigue with Trish gone for a week or two might not be a bad idea.
