WWE Star Replaced By Alexa Bliss In Royal Rumble 2025

A WWE star was replaced by Alexa Bliss ahead of her surprise return during last night’s Women’s Royal Rumble match.

The WWE and Alexa Bliss situation has been one of the more interesting stories of 2025 so far, with her return originally slated for the January 13 episode of Raw in San Jose.

However, when Bliss didn’t return on the show, it was due to a reported contract dispute between her and the company, with all plans for her return reportedly scrapped.

The saga came to an end last night, when Alexa Bliss made her return to WWE after two years away, entering the Women’s Royal Rumble match at number 21.

Fightful Select (subscription required) has learned more about the timeline surrounding Alexa’s return, and how last minute it all came about.

Fightful learned that, as of the start of Saturday, other participants had no idea that Alexa would be in the Rumble, with her not being at the Friday rehearsals.

Shotzi was originally planned for the Royal Rumble in Alexa’s place, which would have been her first appearance on the main roster since last year’s Royal Rumble.

Shotzi missed most of 2024 due to a knee injury, with her returning to the NXT brand.

However, Fightful was told that she was just getting reps to prepare for a return to the main roster.

Those that spoke to Fighful didn’t hold anything against Alexa Bliss, and were happy to see her back, but there were some that felt bad about how it played out for Shotzi.