Becky Lynch was concerned that her WWE career would come to an end when she disclosed to Vince McMahon that she was pregnant in 2020.
Lynch announced her pregnancy during a May 2020 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw that also marked the end of her Raw Women’s Championship reign. In a heartfelt segment, Lynch revealed that Asuka would be the new Raw Women’s Champion as she had captured the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase the night before.
Worried About Telling Vince McMahon
Lynch’s pregnancy was great for the WWE Superstar but would cost the promotion one of its biggest names. In her new book The Man, Lynch recalls watching WrestleMania 36 at home but being more concerned about what she’d say to Vince McMahon.
“‘How am I going to tell Vince?’ I turned to Colby [Seth Rollins] realizing that beyond our immediate family, the most powerful man in wrestling needed to be the first recipient of our news.”
While Rollins did his best to assure Lynch things would be fine, Lynch feared the worst would happen when she rang her then-boss.
Lynch: “You think he’s gonna yell at me? Fire me?
Rollins: “I don’t think so. But he’ll probably be upset.”
Other Options
Hoping to potentially save her career, Lynch pitched possible ideas to Rollins that would allow her to remain with WWE in a non-competitive role.
“‘I’ll tell him [Vince] I can still keep working. You know, maybe I can… I could make a documentary about this. Or I could maybe be a consultant on the creative team or something?’… I scrambled for ways to save my job.”
Telling Vince McMahon
Lynch’s first effort to call McMahon would see her call go to his answering machine but he would immediately ring back, saying he had been in a meeting. In the memoir, Lynch vividly recalls the conversation she had with McMahon.
“I’m calling you because, well, we have a little bit of a problem… Sir, I’m five weeks pregnant and so I was thinking maybe we could…”
While Lynch was terrified at the prospect of being let go, McMahon cut her off before she could say anything else.
“Congratulations! Oh my God Rebecca! That’s fantastic news. Wow! I’m so happy for you!”
What Came Next?
Lynch would give birth to her and Rollins’ daughter Roux in December 2020. She returned to WWE programming at SummerSlam 2021. Her return would see her capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship in seconds from Bianca Belair, turning heel in the process.
Fired While Pregnant?!
Lynch obviously was not fired due to her pregnancy, but not every woman in wrestling has been so fortunate. In 2005, Dawn Marie was fired while pregnant. Her final appearance for the company came at that year’s ECW One Night Stand event where she managed Lance Storm for his match with Chris Jericho.
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