Shayna Baszler, a former WWE Superstar, made a surprising return this past week during NXT’s Homecoming special, marking her first appearance since her release a few months ago. Her brief return featured her encouraging fellow wrestlers Sol Ruca and Zaria backstage, sparking conversations about the possibility of a permanent comeback.
Wrestling insider Dave Meltzer clarified in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Baszler’s WWE return is a one-time event, dismissing rumors of her resuming an active wrestling role. While there has been speculation about her potentially transitioning into a coaching or producing capacity within WWE, no official plans have been confirmed.
Background on Baszler’s Role in WWE After Release
Following her release, Baszler did work briefly behind the scenes as a producer on NXT, a role viewed internally as a trial period. Although this hinted at a possible non-wrestling future with the company, it remains uncertain whether she will remain involved as a backstage figure, especially since Baszler appears to be far from finished with in-ring competition.
Shayna Baszler’s WWE In-Ring Career and Its Struggles
Baszler’s journey in WWE started with high expectations, especially after her dominant reign of over 500 days as NXT Women’s Champion. Fans anticipated a strong main roster push when she was called up, but her momentum stalled quickly. Despite convincingly winning the 2020 Elimination Chamber Match, she was not booked to defeat Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 36, which many see as a pivotal missed opportunity.
After this setback, Baszler’s career saw several inconsistent pushes, including Tag Team Championship reigns alongside Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey. Her feud culminating in Rousey’s last WWE match did not yield significant elevation in status or storylines. Later, she aligned with the Pure Fusion Collective faction with Sonya Deville and Zoey Stark before being released in May 2025, capping off an unsteady tenure on WWE’s main roster.
Implications of Baszler’s Return and Future Prospects
This one-off WWE appearance underscores both the respect Baszler commands in the wrestling community and the uncertain future she faces within the company. While her active wrestling career in WWE has fizzled out, the possibility of her serving in a mentorship or production role keeps some hope alive. Fans and insiders alike will watch closely to see if Baszler will transition into a new position behind the scenes or explore opportunities in other wrestling promotions.
“He reported that Shayna Baszler’s return on NXT was a one-off. She will not be returning to WWE as a wrestler, but there has been hope that she will take up a coaching or producing position. Nothing is in place for her, though.” ?Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Insider
https://t.co/lFvMvKvrFh pic.twitter.com/fI1gMSAOJ0
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) September 17, 2025
