Ronda Rousey To Announce WrestleMania 38 Opponent On SmackDown

Will it be Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair for Royal Rumble winner Ronda Rousey in April?

by Andy H Murray
Ronda Rousey
WWE.com

2022 women's Royal Rumble winner Ronda Rousey stopped short of announcing which champion she'll challenge at WrestleMania 38 during her appearance on last night's episode of WWE Raw, confirming, instead, that she'll break the news on this Friday's SmackDown.

In her main event segment, Rousey teased stepping to Raw Women's Champion Becky Lynch and SmackDown counterpart Charlotte Flair, whom she eliminated last in Saturday's Rumble. She was then interrupted by Becky, her long-term rival, who paid for a typically braggadocious promo by eating a judo throw.

Ronda threatened dealing further damage by keeping hold of the grounded Lynch's arm, announcing that she'd state her 'Mania intentions on SmackDown.

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Current reporting points towards Rousey challenging for Flair's SD strap in Arlington, Texas on 2/3 April. Ronda's new WWE contract will see her work two WrestleManias, meaning WWE could feasibly keep the long-awaited Lynch bout for WM 39 next year. The company has been sitting on this since being forced to cancel a pitched Survivor Series 2018 clash between the two due to a wayward Nia Jax punch on Lynch.

Though nothing is confirmed yet, it is expected that Becky will defend her Raw Women's Championship against Bianca Belair at 'Mania 38.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.