Ronda Rousey famously crashed WrestleMania 31 when she teamed up with The Rock against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a segment. The tease suggested something more at the following WrestleMania. However, Rousey’s name has not surfaced in mixed martial arts for some time after she suffered back-to-back losses against Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes.
As a result, rumors have circulated regarding a potential pivot to WWE. That buzz grew louder in March when WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon told ESPN adding Rousey to the promotion’s roster would be a “match made in heaven.” Triple H addressed rumors that Rousey was set to begin pro wrestling training following her appearance at the Mae Young Classic TV tapings.
Triple H recently spoke with CBS Sports, and below are some interview highlights:
“I think [Rousey] is in a transition period in her life and is in a great place. I think she’s getting married soon or something. Look, she has got a lot going on, but I’m all about creating opportunities. That’s what the Mae Young Classic is all about — creating opportunities for these women that they never had before. If Ronda Rousey wants that opportunity, I’d be happy to talk to her about it.”
“I think that Ronda has been fascinated with our business for a very long period of time,” Levesque said. “There are so many similarities but you don’t have some of the competitive drawbacks maybe that come with being that elite level of fighter.”
Triple H admitted there have been no talks between WWE and Rousey since her appearance at the Mae Young Classic, and The Game had the following to say on her being at the tournament. Triple H added that while he knows Rousey is busy and is focused on her upcoming wedding, he’d be happy to facilitate a professional relationship with WWE.
“I don’t know that I ever once looked out at the crowd and saw her without this ear-to-ear grin on her face,” Levesque told CBS Sports during an interview for the “In This Corner” podcast, which will be published on Wednesday. “She was like a little kid after every break there would be when I would talk to her — like a little kid. What that means? Unsure. What that means down the line? I think she’s unsure.”
Rousey’s MMA career looks to be over after two straight knockout losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, respectively. She refuses to even answer questions related to fighting, but she’s been spotted at pro wrestling shows and obviously has some kind of a relationship with WWE, who shot an angle with her at WrestleMania 31 that still hasn’t been followed up on.
Former UFC Bantamweight Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey makes her presence felt at the taping for the inaugural WWE Mae Young Classic. Ronda Rousey arrives at the WWE Mae Young Classic taping: July 13, 2017.
Photo Credit: WWE