Trish Stratus has reflected on the difficult task of following The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan at WWE WrestleMania 18, admitting she and her opponents wondered how they could possibly follow such an iconic match.

At WrestleMania 18 in Toronto, Stratus challenged Jazz for the WWE Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat Match that also featured Lita. However, the three women had the unenviable position of competing immediately after the legendary showdown between The Rock and Hogan.

Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the Insight Podcast, Stratus recalled the atmosphere backstage as she, Jazz and Lita prepared to make their entrances.

“We were in Gorilla going we gotta follow that? We might as well just not even go out. But no, you guys gave us some love. We got the crowd reaction. We got that. I mean, just to see that match from that position and watch them come through the curtain afterwards, and watching the reaction, seeing the boys react, everyone, it was iconic and definitely a memory as a wrestling fan. I’m like, ‘Sh*t, that was cool.’”

While Stratus appreciated witnessing such a historic moment from backstage, she admitted following it was far from ideal.

“But for positioning, nah, don’t want that position thanks. But I think we nailed it. I think we did really well that night, and I think the crowd was into it.”

WrestleMania 18 was also a major milestone for Stratus personally. The event took place at Toronto’s SkyDome in front of more than 68,000 fans, just two years after she had made her WWE debut.

“So I’d only debuted two years before that. I was just blessed and honored to be in a Women’s Championship match. I mean, two years ago I would have never thought I’m going to be in front of 68,000 people at the Sky Dome performing and hopefully winning the Women’s Championship in my hometown.”

Stratus did not get the hometown championship victory, with Jazz retaining the title. Despite some fans believing WWE should have given Stratus the win that night, she now believes it simply was not the right moment.

“I didn’t win it that night. It’s fine though, but it wasn’t my time. Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, you should have won that night.’ I’m like no, it wasn’t the right time.”

Stratus compared the situation to Chelsea Green’s SummerSlam victory, explaining that some championship wins work best when they happen naturally rather than simply because the setting appears perfect.

“It’s like the Chelsea Green win. To me, I always say sometimes there’s just the right win. It’s an organic win. It was the right moment. It wasn’t positioned like she’s the hometown girl. Let’s let her win, and I think those are really special. So that wasn’t the moment. Eventually, it was my moment.”