Big Update On WWE's Plans For Ronda Rousey
The latest on Ronda Rousey after WWE Royal Rumble 2022, heading into WrestleMania 38.
Ronda Rousey returned to WWE at last night's Royal Rumble 2022 event, punching her ticket to WrestleMania 38 by winning the titular women's bout in what was her first pro wrestling appearance since April 2019.
That Rousey would appear at Royal Rumble 2022 was widely reported in the days leading up to her comeback. Now, a WrestleMania match with SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair is in the works, despite Rousey being advertised for tomorrow's episode of Raw.
In an update, Fightful Select state that Flair had been campaigning to feud with Rousey for several months. Things intensified once plans for Ronda to return started falling into place, particularly after Rousey had given birth to her first child, daughter La’akea Makalapuaokalanipõ Browne, last September.
Flair entered the Rumble as SmackDown Women's Champion, finishing second to Rousey.
Elsewhere, Dave Meltzer has reported (on Wrestling Observer Radio) that Ronda's new WWE contract essentially calls for her to work two WrestleManias. That means facing Flair at this year's event, then current Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch at 'Mania 39 in 2023. She will likely depart the company after this.
WWE is yet to book Lynch vs. Rousey one-on-one following the cancellation of their planned Survivor Series 2018 match.