Former WWE star open to returning at Royal Rumble after declining previously

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were released from WWE in 2021.

Former WWE star open to returning at Royal Rumble after declining previously

Royal Rumble (via WWE)

The IIconics members Payton Royce and Billie Kay, who are real-life friends, had a six-year tenure in WWE. They made their debut in 2015 as a team in NXT and were released from WWE due to budget cuts. Now, Royce expressed her thoughts in an interview on returning to the Stamford-based company for the Royal Rumble.

While speaking on the Ring the Belle interview, Peyton Royce was asked about her return to WWE at next year’s Royal Rumble event. The 31-year-old star stated that she was open to the idea of making an appearance in WWE again. Although the IIconics member admitted that she had refused the last time they were asked, she is ready to perform if the opportunity arises.

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Speaking of their WWE run, they made their main roster debut on April 10, 2018, and immediately made an impact. They attacked SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, which allowed Carmella to cash in her Money in the Bank contract. The IIconics won their first tag team titles at WrestleMania 35, dethroning the team of Bayley and Sasha Banks.

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Yeah, I'm open to it, for sure. I would love that. It'd be so good to catch up and I mean, it's the Royal Rumble. We said no last time because we were still pretty hurt about it but, I feel healed now and I feel like I'd love to do that if the opportunity came.
Peyton Royce via the Ring the Belle podcast

Their reign ended 120 days after they were the first team to be eliminated in the Fatal 4-Way elimination match. Unfortunately, after they were separated in the 2021 WWE Draft, they were soon released from the company. They also wrestled in Impact Wrestling before deciding to take an indefinite break from the wrestling scene due to her pregnancy.

Payton Royce talked about teaming up with Lacey Evans

After WWE separated The IIconics during the WWE Draft, Royce was paired up with Lacey Evans. The two superstars even picked up big victories over the Women’s Tag Team champions, Asuka and Charlotte Flair. The 31-year-old star expressed her opinion about the unlikely alliance with The Sassy Southern Belle.

Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce
Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce (via WWE)

Royce was asked what the reason was behind those two joining forces. She stated that, regardless of the reason, she just had to capitalize on the opportunity that she was given. Many fans were disappointed that WWE disbanded The IIconics.

Don't get me started. Look, you can't make sense of everything you know? and more you try to make sense of it, the more you'll drive yourself crazy. That's why you literally just have to take the opportunity and do your absolute best with it.
Payton Royce on teaming up with Lacey Evans via Ring The Belle

Meanwhile, Evans was released from WWE in August 2023 and started her new journey as an OnlyFans model. She expressed her honest opinion in various interviews, claiming that WWE and, in general, wrestling, were never her passion.

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