Ronda Rousey 'Finalising Details' On Move To WWE
It's happening...
The worst kept secret in wrestling looks like it's edging closer to being confirmed as two sources close to Ronda Rousey have told USA Today's Martin Rogers that the former UFC Bantamweight Champion is "finalising details of her move to WWE."
The sources have requested for anonymity at this time as the deal hasn't been made public yet.
Rousey's UFC career came to a close last year with that defeat to Amanda Nunes inside 48 seconds, with a subsequent appearance on WWE TV suggesting a huge one-off match inside the squared circle was on the cards.
The 30-year-old was at the Mae Young Classic in September, watching her close friend Shayna Baszler - a former Ultimate Fighter who has already signed with WWE - reach the final. During the competition, Rousey's Four Horsewomen had a face-off with WWE's version, hinting at a massive 8-woman tag match taking place down the line. Many thought this could have happened at Survivor Series last month, though few can deny the star power in the match is worthy of WrestleMania billing. New Orleans, anyone?
Ronda's ties with WWE as an on-screen presence are deep-rooted, and can be tracked all the way back to SummerSlam 2014. Rousey, Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke sat front row at the 'biggest party of the summer' and were interviewed backstage. Then, WrestleMania 31 saw Rousey in the ring with The Rock, taking down Triple H and making Stephanie McMahon scream.
Fans the world over started to realise the prospect of Rousey in a WWE ring was nearing reality last week when she released a video containing footage of her training with former SmackDown Live Women's Champion Natalya.
Rousey's fandom of wrestling has been well publicised over her career, with influences from sports entertainment prominent in her makeup. Her nickname was borrowed from 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, she's part of a collective known as The Four Horsewomen - a name derived from legendary NWA/WCW faction The Four Horsemen.
The sources have requested for anonymity at this time as the deal hasn't been made public yet.
Rousey's UFC career came to a close last year with that defeat to Amanda Nunes inside 48 seconds, with a subsequent appearance on WWE TV suggesting a huge one-off match inside the squared circle was on the cards.
The 30-year-old was at the Mae Young Classic in September, watching her close friend Shayna Baszler - a former Ultimate Fighter who has already signed with WWE - reach the final. During the competition, Rousey's Four Horsewomen had a face-off with WWE's version, hinting at a massive 8-woman tag match taking place down the line. Many thought this could have happened at Survivor Series last month, though few can deny the star power in the match is worthy of WrestleMania billing. New Orleans, anyone?
Ronda's ties with WWE as an on-screen presence are deep-rooted, and can be tracked all the way back to SummerSlam 2014. Rousey, Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke sat front row at the 'biggest party of the summer' and were interviewed backstage. Then, WrestleMania 31 saw Rousey in the ring with The Rock, taking down Triple H and making Stephanie McMahon scream.
Fans the world over started to realise the prospect of Rousey in a WWE ring was nearing reality last week when she released a video containing footage of her training with former SmackDown Live Women's Champion Natalya.
Rousey's fandom of wrestling has been well publicised over her career, with influences from sports entertainment prominent in her makeup. Her nickname was borrowed from 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, she's part of a collective known as The Four Horsewomen - a name derived from legendary NWA/WCW faction The Four Horsemen.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin
