Lita was reportedly in talks with AEW prior to WWE return

As previously noted, Lita made her return to WWE television during the January 14th 2022 edition of WWE Smackdown after it was announced that she would be in the 2022 women’s Royal Rumble match.

According to Fightful.com, Lita had been in talks for a major run with AEW prior to her return to WWE. There had apparently been talk of having Lita wrestle against Britt Baker at some point in 2021.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com noted the following about Lita’s appearance on Smackdown…

“The decision to bring in Lita was a last minute idea, PWInsider.com has learned. The idea was approved yesterday [Thursday] and the company booked her to travel the same day.”

In an interview with Steve Muehlhausen of DAZN.com from the fall of 2021, Lita had praised AEW…

“I was watching a bunch of AEW that I checked in on. I always want to know what’s going on. I always want to see what people are doing. So I’d say I float around in what I watch. I think it’s exciting. It’s exciting to see fans so excited about another product.” (quote courtesy of WrestlingInc.com)