It’s been two years since Ronda Rousey departed from WWE, and although her relationship with the company was strained, her presence remains relevant in the wrestling scene. Shayna Baszler, a close friend of Rousey, hinted that a WWE comeback by Rousey could happen in the future.
Rousey exited WWE in October 2023 following a loss to Baszler at SummerSlam and has openly discussed the challenges she faced while with the promotion, especially during Vince McMahon’s leadership. The former UFC star rose to fame in WWE over nearly five years, headlining WrestleMania and securing three world championship titles, but left due to scheduling conflicts, creative dissatisfaction, and a desire to prioritize her family.
When asked about Rousey’s potential WWE return, Baszler referenced CM Punk’s comeback in November 2023 as an example that nothing is impossible. She said, "I never think Ronda is done. She’s a crazy person. She loves being a mom, so it might take some time, but just like CM Punk is back, Ronda Rousey can come back too."
Rousey herself has acknowledged that WWE has kept the door open for her return but maintains she’s not actively pursuing it. She shared in a Yahoo Sports interview, "Nobody contacted us. It was more like, ‘The door is always open if you ever want to come back, let me know.’" She also expressed the difficulty of balancing WWE’s lifestyle with her family life, noting that she has two daughters and hopes for another child.
With Triple H now serving as WWE’s creative lead, Rousey appears to have a good rapport with him, which could lead to a part-time schedule if she returns, similar to Brock Lesnar’s limited appearances since his SummerSlam comeback.
Despite Rousey’s openness about her frustrations, including creative issues and fan reactions, her initial WWE debut at WrestleMania 34 alongside Kurt Angle was impressive. However, as Becky Lynch pointed out, WWE may have mishandled her career since then, given her background from a different industry and the challenges she faced adapting to wrestling’s unique demands.
Looking ahead to 2026, WWE’s women’s division is evolving, with new stars emerging not only on RAW and SmackDown but also in NXT, where talents like Kendall Gray are being compared to legends like Kurt Angle.
Fan Take: Ronda Rousey’s possible WWE return excites fans because she brings star power and legitimacy from the MMA world, which can elevate WWE’s women’s division further. If she does come back, it could redefine part-time stardom and inspire new crossover appeal for professional wrestling.
