Steph De Lander Says TV Return Would Come Down To Money

Steph De Lander isn’t rushing back to television — and she made it clear that money will be the deciding factor if that call ever comes.

Right now, De Lander has built a strong position for herself on the independent scene, and she doesn’t sound interested in giving that up unless the offer truly makes sense. She admitted that while creative control is fun on the indies, she understands that’s rarely how things work in major companies.

During an appearance on Another Wrestling Podcast, Steph De Lander talked about what matters most if she signs another TV deal, and she didn’t pretend she expects to walk into a company calling all the shots. Steph De Lander explained that creative control at major promotions is rare unless you’re at the very top.

“I think, you know, in a perfect world, of course, I would love to have control of what I’m doing at a TV company, but the reality is like that’s very rarely the case, unless you’re like Roman Reigns, you know what I mean?”

Instead of focusing on creative demands, she made it clear that finances are where things have changed the most since her first WWE contract. Steph De Lander said her financial expectations are completely different compared to when she first signed with WWE.

“So, I don’t really have any like non-negotiables about, you know, I’m not going to do this if I can’t have, you know, xyz. But what I will say is financially the conversation is definitely very different than what it was when I signed my first contract with NXT like six, seven years ago, you know? So that’s where things would need to make sense.”

She also pointed out that every company comes with trade-offs. Some allow outside projects and income streams, while others limit those opportunities — and that’s something she clearly weighs when thinking about her future. Even with those trade-offs, De Lander sounded confident about where she stands right now. She said she’s figured out how to make good money on her own terms, and she isn’t eager to walk away from that freedom without a strong reason. Steph De Lander made it clear that she’s in a strong place financially and creatively right now.

“And honestly, I’m like I’ve figured out a way to make pretty good money doing that. So, it’s I feel like I’m in a really sweet spot right now. So to change that, um, it would have to be something that I would really want to do.”

Steph De Lander sounds like someone who knows her value now, and that’s a big shift from where she was earlier in her career. If WWE or AEW comes calling, it won’t just be about getting back on TV — it’ll be about making sure the deal reflects the position she’s earned.