WWE Issue Statement On Ronda Rousey's Future
Have rumours of Rowdy's post-WrestleMania 35 demise been greatly exaggerated?
Yesterday (24 January) brought troubling news for WWE and their ongoing Women's Revolution, as the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported there was a "very good chance" the promotion's biggest full-time star would be leaving after WrestleMania 35.
WWE have now offered some clarification on the situation, but not much. A spokesperson from the promotion issued the following statement to TMZ Sports:-
“Ronda Rousey is under contract with WWE until April 10, 2021. Whether she wants to start a family is a private matter.”
Reading into these words too deeply would be dangerous, as being contracted to WWE into 2021 wouldn't necessarily prevent Rousey from taking maternity leave to start a family, which is thought to be the reason behind any potential departure. It also keeps the possibility of moving into a part-time role (a la John Cena or The Undertaker) open, provided the terms of her current contract allow such a move.
A star in a largely star-less era, Rousey has been a great boon to WWE's women's division, with her arrival helping push the talented group to previously unforeseen levels of prominence. That being said, she has always spoken about her wrestling career as if it was a temporary thing, so while her departure won't be a complete surprise, it'll still be disappointing.