Becky Lynch WWE rival Ronda Rousey remains a prominent name in combat sports, despite currently being retired from professional wrestling. Known for her storied career in the UFC and WWE, Rousey is reportedly a target for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) owner Tony Khan, who may persuade her to join AEW and invigorate its women’s division.
Becky Lynch currently holds the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship and is involved in a high-profile storyline with her husband Seth Rollins, the World Heavyweight Champion. Lynch has also clashed with many wrestling icons, including Rousey, whose presence in AEW could shift the competitive landscape significantly.
The Importance of Rousey for AEW’s Women’s Division
Ronda Rousey’s reputation as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists makes her an invaluable asset for AEW. Beyond being a UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, she has held numerous wrestling titles, such as the WWE Women’s Championship and Women’s Tag Team Championship. Her arrival could fill the leadership void felt within AEW’s locker room.
AEW’s female roster is growing with stars like Kris Statlander, Mercedes Mone, and Willow Nightingale, yet it lacks a dominant leader with the star power that Rousey commands. At 38 years old, she could take center stage as a forceful presence, potentially improving AEW’s competitiveness against WWE’s women’s division, which includes top talents like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley.
How AEW Could Position Rousey to Maximize Impact
If Rousey joins AEW, the promotion’s best strategy might be to present her as an unstoppable heel, allowing her to dominate the division and create compelling matches. While her in-ring style promises high-intensity clashes against AEW’s top female stars, her performances might occasionally feel one-sided due to her MMA background and charisma.
Given her weaker promo skills, pairing Rousey with a manager could enhance her character. Aligning her with factions such as The Hurt Syndicate or the Don Callis Family would generate significant excitement and add layers to her storylines, creating memorable moments for fans worldwide.
The Reasons Behind Rousey’s Departure from WWE and Retirement
Rousey’s exit from WWE was influenced by creative frustrations, particularly over delays in securing a desired match with Shayna Baszler, who is a close friend and fellow Four Horsewomen of MMA member. Both wrestlers were part of WWE’s roster, but a meaningful storyline between them never materialized.
In a recent interview with The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey expressed her growing dissatisfaction with WWE booking and her demand to wrestle Baszler as a condition for continuing her career in the company.
“Then the second run, they kept dangling it. And then by the end, I was like, I’m fucking leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna. And that’s how I was able to do it at all,” explained the former WWE star. —Ronda Rousey, Former WWE Superstar
This frustration ultimately led to her retirement, leaving the wrestling world wondering if she will ever return.
What Could the Future Hold for Rousey and AEW?
While Ronda Rousey coming out of retirement remains unlikely, professional wrestling history has shown unexpected returns before. Should she decide to join AEW, she might reunite with Marina Shafir, another member of their MMA circle, and possibly Shayna Baszler, who is currently a free agent. This trio could form a formidable faction under Tony Khan’s leadership.
For AEW, securing Rousey would create a seismic shift, intensify competition with WWE, and inspire new storylines that could captivate fans and elevate the company’s profile in women’s wrestling. Until any official confirmation, however, her status remains speculation, keeping the wrestling community eager for what might come next.
