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Former WWE Superstars often return several years after leaving the company. In a recent interview, Melina addressed reports that she was on the verge of re-signing with the promotion in 2020.
Melina previously worked for WWE between 2004 and 2011. The 44-year-old won the Women's Championship three times and the Divas Championship twice. She also performed as a valet for Joey Mercury and her ex-boyfriend Johnny Nitro, aka John Morrison.
Speaking to James Romero of WSI, Melina confirmed she was supposed to return to WWE:
"Actually, I was, but this is another thing where I keep thinking were they just dangling a carrot in front of me? In all honesty, that was the time to dangle a carrot in front of me because my father just died. The last thing he said the last time I saw him was if I had a chance to go back, to go back. So, for him, hell yeah, I'd go back because I wanted to fulfill his vision of what he saw for me." [0:13 – 0:41]
Melina has worked for several promotions since her previous WWE run ended, including IMPACT and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
How Melina felt after her WWE return fell through
During her first run with the company, Melina became frustrated with backstage politics and false rumors about her attitude.
Almost a decade on, she felt like some of the negative aspects of working for WWE in 2020 were the same as when she left in 2011:
"When they took that carrot back, I thought, 'No, I remember how I felt when I was here last time. I don't think I could go through this again if it's still the same type of environment,'" Melina continued. "I'm older now. I want to work. I don't want to play games. I want to work and do the best of my ability and not go through the games I had to go through when I was a kid." [0:45 – 1:11]
In 2022, Melina made a one-off appearance in the Women's Royal Rumble as the second entrant. She only lasted 53 seconds in the match before being eliminated by Sasha Banks.
Do you think Melina should return? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit WSI and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
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