Trish Stratus has ended dozens of matches and won multiple championships with her Stratusfaction finisher, but there’s one person who took it better than most.
The moment in question came during WrestleMania 19 where Stratus challenged Victoria for the Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat match that also involved Jazz.
Speaking to Ryan Satin on his Out of Character podcast, Stratus revealed that it wasn’t one of her opponents who took the move best, but Stevie Richards, who accompanied Victoria to the ring.
“Well, it was my finishing move, but it was not for a three count or anything. Steven Richards took the best Stratusfaction ever.
“It was at WrestleMania 19, I think. It’s when I faced off with Victoria and Jazz. It was like, am I in the air still? Because it’s different with a man versus doing it on women. It’s a different feel, right? It hits different, as they say.
“That was exhilarating. I was like this is awesome. The best Stratusfaction ever. So thank you, Steven Richards.”
Trish Stratus accused of “setting back” women’s wrestling
Although Stratus was one of the most popular stars of her era and an inspiration to a whole new generation of women wrestlers, she still has her critics.
Among them is WWE Hall of Famer Madusa – also known as Alundra Blayze – who recently claimed Stratus had actually turned women’s wrestling into a “sideshow”.
The legend went a step further, saying that the current generation of stars had to “undo” the blueprint set by Stratus as she had lost the legitimacy of the stars who had gone before her.
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.