In a jaw-dropping twist that left the wrestling world on the edge of their seats, former WWE Raw & SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey stepped into the Ring of Honor (ROH) arena for the first time last Friday in Los Angeles.
The anticipation and excitement in the air were palpable as Rousey emerged as the mysterious partner for Marina Shafir, igniting a fiery tag team match against ROH Women’s Champion Athena & Billie Starkz.
The electrifying encounter, assumed to air on ROH TV this Thursday, unfolded at The Forum following Friday’s live AEW Collision & Rampage shows. As Rousey made her way to the ring, the familiar strains of Joan Jett’s “Bad Reputation” echoed, reminiscent of her entrance theme during her tenure in WWE.
What is RONDA ROUSEY doing in the ROH ZONE?! @bryanalvarez @davemeltzerWON @WONF4W pic.twitter.com/w9AOQwyb4v
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— Aaron Schulze (@SchulzeCFJC) November 18, 2023
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, echoing the sentiment that this was a momentous occasion in the world of professional wrestling.
This showdown marked Rousey’s return to the ring since her last indie bout in October, where she teamed up with Shafir against Brian Kendrick & Taya Valkyrie at Thursday’s Wrestling Revolver event.
The intensity and unpredictability of the match led to a no-contest conclusion, leaving fans clamoring for more of the action-packed partnership between Rousey and Shafir.
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Justified “Holy shit!” chants for @ringofhonor with ROH Women’s World Champion @AthenaPalmer_FG + her minion @BillieStarkz vs @MarinaShafir + her handpicked partner!
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) November 18, 2023
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Notably, Rousey bid farewell to her WWE stint at August’s SummerSlam, where she faced Shayna Baszler in a high-stakes MMA rules match. The transition to Ring of Honor demonstrates Rousey’s unwavering commitment to exploring new horizons in the world of professional wrestling.
ROH and AEW head honcho, Tony Khan, took to Twitter to express his thoughts on the match without explicitly revealing Rousey’s involvement. The cryptic tweet added an extra layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative, keeping fans guessing until Rousey’s grand entrance.
WHAT IS RONDA ROUSEY DOING IN THE ELITE ZONE?!?! pic.twitter.com/HowynUWyUA
— Xylot Themes (@XylotThemes) November 18, 2023
Rousey, a former UFC bantamweight superstar, initially captivated the wrestling universe with her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34 in 2018. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that saw her clinch the Raw Women’s title, the SmackDown Women’s title twice, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles alongside Baszler.
As news of Rousey’s ROH debut reverberates across the wrestling community, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch. Fans and industry insiders alike are buzzing with speculation about what this unexpected move means for the landscape of professional wrestling.
Rousey’s presence in Ring of Honor promises a thrilling new chapter, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting the next twist in this gripping tale of athleticism, rivalry, and the indomitable spirit of one of the most iconic female wrestlers of our time.
Sheila’s Note:
Ronda Rousey’s sensational debut in Ring of Honor has injected a surge of adrenaline into the wrestling scene. Her unexpected move from the WWE to ROH marks a paradigm shift, creating ripples of excitement and curiosity.
The tantalizing blend of athleticism, unpredictability, and Rousey’s undeniable star power has set the stage for a gripping saga in professional wrestling. As we eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters, one can’t help but marvel at the audacity of this bold career move and the promise it holds for fans worldwide.
Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride through the uncharted territories of Rousey’s wrestling odyssey.
