Ronda Rousey has officially returned to WWE.
Rumors surrounding the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion coming back to professional wrestling have been swirling for weeks, but Saturday night marked her first appearance in the promotion since 2019.
Rousey’s return came on Saturday at the Royal Rumble, where she was one of the final entrants in the over-the-top-rope battle royal. She ultimately won the match by eliminating Charlotte Flair (whose real name is Ashley Fliehr).
The win propels Rousey into the main event at WrestleMania 38, which will take place on April 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
#RoyalRumble #WrestleMania @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/HZ93RoKbrM
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) January 30, 2022
Rousey’s full return to pro wrestling is confirmed. This also means that he will not be appearing in the Rumble as a guest. The Rumble often has stars from the past, who are there just for this event.
Rousey first appeared in WWE at the Royal Rumble back in 2018, which marked her move into pro-wrestling following the conclusion of her time in the UFC with back-to-back losses to Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm.
Prior to these losses Rousey was considered one the most powerful forces in MMA. She held six consecutive titles defenses, including wins over Sara McMann, Cat Zingano and Miesha Tate.
After making her debut in WWE, Rousey immediately became one of the biggest stars in the promotion, which eventually led to her headlining WrestleMania 35 in 2019. On that night, Rousey lost her title in the main event, which precipitated her exit from the organization. She then started a family with her husband, UFC heavyweight Travis Browne.
This past September, La’akea Makalapuaokalanipo browne was born to Rousey.
She’s now back with WWE, Rousey having an immediate impact on Wrestlemania with her win at Royal Rumble.
