Ronda Rousey’s remarkable journey through the world of professional wrestling has been a whirlwind of highs and lows, captivating fans and industry insiders alike. While many believed she had concluded her wrestling career, Rousey recently resurfaced in the squared circle, defying expectations and surprising the wrestling world with her unexpected return.
Ronda Rousey’s WWE Debut and Her Wrestling Odyssey
Ronda Rousey, a former UFC superstar, entered the world of professional wrestling in dramatic fashion. Her official WWE debut occurred at the Royal Rumble in 2018, signifying her transition from the world of mixed martial arts to the world of sports entertainment. It was a groundbreaking move that sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling community, as Rousey arrived with the intent to conquer the squared circle.
Rousey’s maiden match took place at WWE WrestleMania 34, an iconic event where she teamed up with WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. The match was nothing short of extraordinary, earning widespread acclaim as one of the greatest debut performances in WWE history. Fans and critics were effusive in their praise, and the wrestling world seemed poised for a new era dominated by Ronda Rousey.
However, Rousey’s initial impact and popularity were challenging to sustain. Despite capturing the WWE Raw Women’s Championship later that summer and headlining WrestleMania 35, she never quite reached the pinnacle of her early days in WWE. Her journey through the wrestling world had its share of ups and downs, with fan sentiment shifting over time.
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A Second Stint in WWE and Her Surprising Departure
Rousey’s second WWE run commenced at the Royal Rumble in 2022, where she achieved a significant victory by winning the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. This win led to her reign as the WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion during that summer. She successfully defended the title until December, after which she altered her focus, teaming up with longtime friend Shayna Baszler to pursue the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Nevertheless, their reign as tag team champions was unexpectedly curtailed, prompting speculation that Rousey had decided to conclude her WWE tenure by August. Her loss to Baszler at WWE SummerSlam left many wrestling enthusiasts believing that Rousey’s wrestling career had reached its conclusion.
Ronda Rousey’s Unforeseen Wrestling Return
In an unexpected twist, Ronda Rousey has reemerged in the world of professional wrestling. Her return, however, was far from conventional and not within the confines of WWE. Rousey made a surprise appearance at a Lucha VaVOOM event held in Los Angeles. Seated ringside, she was there to support her friend, Marina Shafir, who is associated with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). As the event progressed, Rousey, known as “The Baddest Woman on the Planet,” left her seat and entered the ring. Together with Shafir, she formed a tag team to take on Taya Valkyrie and Brian Kendrick.
The tag match, lasting approximately five minutes, culminated with Rousey applying an ankle lock, forcing Kendrick to submit. This marked a significant moment in Rousey’s wrestling career as it was her first match outside the WWE, where her squared circle journey had exclusively unfolded until that point.
Rousey’s unexpected return to the wrestling ring has left fans with questions about what the future holds for the former UFC star in the world of professional wrestling. While her participation in the Lucha VaVOOM event was surprising and exciting, it remains uncertain whether this appearance was a one-time occurrence or if it signals her intention to compete more regularly in the future.
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It is worth noting that both Marina Shafir and Taya Valkyrie, Rousey’s tag team opponents in this match, are currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). While this raises the intriguing prospect of Rousey potentially joining AEW, the future remains uncertain, and any formal plans or negotiations have not been disclosed.
Rousey’s surprise return to the wrestling world has sparked curiosity and excitement among fans, leaving many eager to witness the next chapter of the former UFC champion’s wrestling journey.
