Ronda Rousey, a former bantamweight champion is leaving UFC for the slightly-more-scripted world of wrestling, as Rousey returned at tonight’s WWE Royal Rumble event in Philadelphia and a promised appearance at April’s Wrestlemania.
UFC's Ronda Rousey has signed a full-time contract with WWE, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. pic.twitter.com/ZeGZeSnwHZ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 29, 2018
Ronda Rousey was last seen in the UFC octagon back in 2016 when Amanda Nunes demolished her.
Thoroughly, in classic pro-wrestling style, the WWE surprised both MMA world and wrestling world when Ronda Rousey came out at the very end of the PPV to confront Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Asuka, and greet WWE executive Stephanie MacMahon. Whom she once put in some sort of armlock at WrestleMania almost three years back before pointing at the sign for the upcoming WrestleMania 34 this year.
Everyone's eyes are on #WrestleMania 34…
…including @RondaRousey's!!! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/ynkps4gqx5
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
Ronda Rousey showed up wearing a leather jacket similar to that of Roddy Piper.
Cool to see @RondaRousey honor @R_Roddy_Piper with her entrance and gear at #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/WNahQHSSXd
— Old Wrestling Pics (@OldWrestlingPic) January 29, 2018
Shortly after the summing-up of tonight’s WWE Royal Rumble event, Ronda Rousey stated in an interview with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne she had signed with WWE to be a full-time performer.
“This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt,” Rousey stated. “When I first met with Triple H, I told him, ‘There are other things I can do with my time that’ll make way more money, but I won’t enjoy nearly as much.’”
“It’s funny — it’s kind of like acting, in that it was something I always wanted to do but I never thought was in the cards for me,” Rousey told ESPN of wanting to wrestle professionally. “And now that I realize I really do have this opportunity, I feel like my 6-year-old self would totally kick my ass if I didn’t take it.”
This also appears to officially close the door on her MMA career, where she was the most dominant fighter and supreme until she dethroned by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
who would want to see Ronda Rousey’s battle in her first WWE match?
