The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble saw Alexa Bliss unexpectedly return to the ring, replacing Shotzi at the last moment, a change that led to an emotional backstage apology from Bliss. Alexa Bliss replaces Shotzi at 2025 WWE Royal Rumble after the original lineup shifted just hours before the match at WWE’s major annual event.
Sudden Change Leaves Shotzi Out of the Royal Rumble Lineup
Shotzi had been preparing for her spot in the Women’s Royal Rumble, scheduled for February 1, after receiving a last-minute call from WWE. The wrestler was set to appear alongside her fellow NXT Chemical X faction members, Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley, and was under the impression her storyline in NXT was wrapping up to free her for SmackDown appearances. However, on the very day of the Royal Rumble, Shotzi learned she was removed from the match and replaced by Alexa Bliss, who had not competed in a WWE ring for two years prior to this surprise return.
Backstage Reactions and Shotzi’s Departure Status
In an interview shared on Daria & Toni Unwrapped, Shotzi recounted the backstage moments with Sonya Deville, explaining the shock and disappointment surrounding her removal. As she described the sequence of events, Shotzi made it clear that Alexa Bliss had no prior knowledge of the replacement. She recalled Bliss approaching her after the match with genuine remorse.
“Honestly, if you’re gonna take me out for anyone, at least make it be the biggest pop of the night. I have to say that Alexa had no idea that someone was getting replaced. She had no idea any of that was going on. She felt so bad, and she came up to me afterwards, and she was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even realize they were taking someone out of the Rumble to get me in there.'” —Shotzi, WWE Wrestler
These emotions were compounded by Shotzi’s own uncertainty about her WWE future, as she has since announced her impending departure when her contract expires. She did not share the exact date, hoping to surprise fans with her next move after WWE.
Details on How Shotzi Learned of Her Replacement
Shotzi detailed that just a day before the Royal Rumble, WWE contacted her and requested she board a flight within hours. She scrambled to pack and travel, expecting to compete, only to find out in the makeup chair on the day of the event that she would not participate. The experience was difficult and left her feeling frustrated, highlighting the abrupt nature of such last-minute decisions in professional wrestling.
“It was like 3 p.m. the day before Rumble, and they were like, ‘Hey, can you get on a flight in a couple of hours?'” Shotzi said. “And then I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not ready for this,’ and just packed my bags. I don’t even know what I put in my bags, and got to the airport in like an hour. And then it led to nothing. The day of, I got told while I was in the makeup chair that I wasn’t in it. Yeah, it is tough.” —Shotzi, WWE Wrestler
Alexa Bliss Returns; Shotzi’s Future Remains Uncertain
Alexa Bliss, who returned to a strong reaction as the 21st entrant, lasted 11 minutes in the Women’s Royal Rumble before Liv Morgan eliminated her. While Bliss’ unexpected inclusion created a memorable moment for fans, the sudden change left Shotzi disappointed and caused significant backstage emotions. With Shotzi confirming plans to leave WWE, her future direction remains uncertain, raising questions about her next steps in the wrestling industry.
The decision to swap Shotzi for Alexa Bliss highlights the unpredictable nature of WWE’s event planning, affecting both the performers and audience anticipation. The intense emotions behind the scenes underscore how sudden changes can impact careers, and fans will be watching for Shotzi’s next move after WWE.
