After months of speculation, it’s finally happening.
Stories have have been circulating for a long time that Ronda Rousey was heading to the WWE, but the rumours hit fever pitch heading into this weekend’s Royal Rumble, which would feature the first ever women’s Rumble alongside the men’s match. Despite attempts throw fans off the scent on social media, once it was confirmed that the women’s Rumble was head-lining the show it became pretty clear what was going down.
However, there was another spanner in the works to come. Many predicted Rousey to enter the match at the final number 30 spot – but instead that went to returning legend Trish Stratus. But it was only after the match, when winner Asuka confront current Raw and Smackdown champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, that Rousey made her long awaited first appearance in WWE.
Everyone's eyes are on #WrestleMania 34…
…including @RondaRousey's!!! #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/ynkps4gqx5
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
Many thought that she would only sign on for a one off, special attraction match, most likely at Wrestlemania 34 (Rousey had previous appeared at a non-wrestling segment at Wrestlemania 31 in 2015). However as soon as the show finished, the bombshell dropped on Twitter that she has actually signed up as a full-time member of the WWE women’s roster.
BREAKING NEWS: Former @ufc Women's Bantamweight Champion @RondaRousey makes her presence felt following Women's #RoyalRumble Match! https://t.co/LIvlJKZ2kp
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
Rousey told ESPN:
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. 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.
Rousey has not had an MMA bout since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December 2016. She came to the ring to Joan Jett’s ‘Bad Reputation’, wearing the leather jacket of the late, great Roddy Piper, who she took her ‘Rowdy’ nickname after.
