With the second-ever all-women’s PLE just around the corner on July 13th, the announcement of the Evolution II Battle Royal has generated tons of excitement over which wrestlers, past and present, will make an appearance on the card. This enthusiasm and curiosity extends to active performers, indie wrestlers, and of course which legendary female wrestlers will participate for a chance at a women’s championship match at Clash in Paris.
It remains to be seen which blasts from the past will appear in the Evolution II Battle Royal but we are here to offer some names of who should appear. Here are the top five legends that need to return for the battle royal in no particular order:
Evolution II Battle Royal Needs these Legends
Credit: WWE
Lita
Lita needs no introduction. For many, accomplishments including her membership in Team Extreme with the Hardy Boyz, her four WWE women’s championship reigns, and her memorable matches with long-time rival Trish Stratus (who will be taking on Tiffany Stratton for the Women’s World Championship at Evolution II) put her into legendary status and have made her one of the pioneers of the women’s division as we know it.
Although retiring from full-time competition in 2006, Lita has continued to periodically appear in recent years to work with younger talent, such as Becky Lynch, Bayley, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez. Even though it has been two years since her last match in WWE, Evolution II needs a Lita appearance, and the battle royal is an excellent way to get her on the card. Lita and Stratus teamed at the first Evolution to defeat Mickie James and Alicia Fox. It just wouldn’t feel right to have the all-women’s PLE without her.
Natalya
Natalya’s time as a full-time competitor seems to be coming to an end. Her time on television has waned within the last five years as she has even started to receive bookings for NWA, GCW, and other independent events, despite still being signed with WWE.
Even with this, Natalya is shifting into a mentor role within the company, having appeared in NXT throughout 2024 and making numerous appearances in Evolve so far this year in addition to her on-screen relationship with Maxxine Dupri. With Evolution II being a celebration of the women of WWE, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Natalya for her accomplishments as well as allow her to continue molding the younger female wrestlers on the roster. The Evolution II battle royal would be a great showcase for the future Hall of Famer.
Michelle McCool
Since the beginning of the Women’s Revolution in WWE, Michelle McCool has been the most reliable female legend for the company. She appeared in the 2018, 2022, and 2023 Royal Rumbles and the battle royal at the first Evolution PLE. She is WWE’s “break in case of emergency” and has performed admirably every opportunity she’s gotten.
McCool was elected into the WWE Hall of Fame over WrestleMania weekend this year. She is also a judge for season two of LFG on A&E. Having her in the Evolution II battle royal gives the company a chance to promote LFG and also rely on one of their top legends to create some more moments in her exceptional career.
Nikki Bella
Liv Morgan’s unfortunate and horrible shoulder injury cut short plans for Nikki Bella’s return to the ring as it seemed Bella and Morgan were set to go head-to-head, potentially alongside Brie Bella and Raquel Rodriguez for the women’s tag team titles.
While that would have been a great match, there is almost no doubt Bella will be on the Evolution II card. She is in ring shape, and she is in the forefront of WWE and the fans’ minds (not to mention the official event poster). She deserves a singles or tag team match at Evolution II but if not, she would be a major attraction for the battle royal, as well as a favorite to win and get the title opportunity as it seems Bella’s return may not be a one night only thing.
Gail Kim
If Paul Levesque has proven anything, it is that not all bridges are completely burned. Gail Kim could be the next example of this. For this to come to fruition, WWE must mend a lot of damage. Kim had two different stints in WWE. She won her only WWE women’s championship during her first stint with the company from 2002 to 2004. Despite her position as one of the top female wrestlers, she was released due to cost-cutting.
She would go on to lead the TNA Knockouts from 2005 to 2008, solidifying it as the best women’s division in pro wrestling. She also made her case as one of the best wrestlers in the world. Kim would return to WWE from 2008 to 2011, but frustrations over her character and the direction of the women’s division led her to infamously eliminating herself from a Divas battle royal before quitting the company. She would return to TNA, where she would become the first female elected into their hall of fame.
After retiring in 2018, Kim stayed on with TNA as a producer until her firing in March 2025. Fightful Select reported that since being fired, Kim has been seen around the WWE Performance Center, attending numerous NXT tapings. There have not been any reports of her stepping into the ring at the Performance Center. However, her being back around WWE-related facilities and shows this close to Evolution II could hint at a special appearance in the battle royal.
Hit the comments (or vote in our poll). Which legends would you like to see in the Evolution II Battle Royal?
The Evolution II Battle Royal is official. Sound off below – which legends would you like to see return for a shot at a world championship at Clash of Paris?
— Last Word on Pro Wrestling (@LWOProWrestling) July 2, 2025
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on the Evolution II Battle Royal, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.
You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), The CW (NXT), Tubi (WWE Evolve), A&E (WWE Superstar Sunday – Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments) and Peacock (WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on YouTube, and catch fast-paced action on X (WWE Speed).
