Report: Ronda Rousey Asked For Controversial WWE Return

Brian Kendrick's recent WWE producer tryout came at Ronda Rousey's request.

Reporting on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that Rousey, who was trained by Kendrick early in her wrestling career, asked WWE to bring the former Cruiserweight Champion in to assist with her Survivor Series 2022 match. Ronda defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Shotzi on the 26 November premium live event, with Kendrick helping produce the bout.

PWInsider that Kendrick worked the show as a tryout. On WOR, Meltzer claimed that this wasn't a hire, nor was it a "normal tryout." Rousey wanted Brian for the show, so WWE used him. Lead producer Jason Jordan also working on the match.

Kendrick has been out of WWE since 1 February 2022, when he was released roughly one week after asking to be let go. A near-immediate AEW debut then fell through following the resurfacing of interviews and other videos featuring Kendrick spouting harmful rhetoric. Amongst Brian's words were anti-Jewish statements, conspiracy theories, and more.

AEW pulled Kendrick from the 2 February episode of Dynamite as a result. The situation cost him a television match with Jon Moxley. Afterwards, Kendrick apologised via Twitter, stating "These are not my beliefs and never were beliefs of mine, and I crossed the line."