Ronda Rousey’s impact on WrestleMania main event history became undeniable after her official WWE in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34 in 2018. Competing in WWE until August 2023, Rousey’s presence changed the trajectory for women’s wrestling, most notably when she joined Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair to main-event WrestleMania 35, marking the first time women closed the grandest show in WWE history.
Although Rousey’s WWE tenure was relatively brief, her influence on the industry was immense. The UFC Hall of Famer brought credibility, outside attention, and crossover appeal that the women’s division had not previously experienced. After her time in WWE, Rousey returned to the independent wrestling scene, yet the legacy of her involvement at WrestleMania persists.
The main event at WrestleMania 35, featuring Rousey, Lynch, and Flair, was historic not only because it elevated women into the company’s biggest spotlight, but also because it signaled a lasting shift in WWE’s approach to women’s divisions. The decision to put women in the main event was influenced by Rousey’s stature within combat sports and the mainstream audience she drew into WWE.
Charlotte Flair and the Significance of a One-Night Main Event
Reflecting on that moment, Charlotte Flair described what made the occasion unique and why it stands out in wrestling history:
“And it was the main event of only one night. Now we have two nights… So it’s a big deal. Now you have two nights, two different opportunities, so, that being the main event of one night was huge, and it’ll never happen again, unless we go to one night.”
—Charlotte Flair, WWE Superstar
The transition of WrestleMania over the years from a single evening to a two-night event has made that particular moment irreplicable. Flair’s remarks highlight the gravity of sharing the headline spot for the only match of its kind, forever etching the trio of Flair, Lynch, and Rousey into sports entertainment history.
Legacy and Influence: Why Rousey’s Presence Mattered
According to Flair, the historic main event would not have been possible without Rousey’s involvement. She directly credited Rousey’s stature and appeal for making the breakthrough a reality:
“We would have not main evented WrestleMania had it not been for Ronda (Rousey). Hands down. When she wanted to kind of join what we had already started to build but her star power, her credibility, her outside influence, the audience that she brought. Kudos to her. I know that, you know, someone said in her book that she couldn’t wrestle but at the end of the day, it really didn’t matter.She was Ronda and she didn’t need to. She had such an aura to her and really did figure it out and brought that much to the table so, I thank her for what she did for us, because, she didn’t have to come wrestle. She’d already done it all and it was real. So she just added that legitimacy to what we were trying to do that we didn’t have and she caught on.”
I hated our ‘Mania (35) match. She (Ronda Rousey) liked it, I hated it… The ending. It’s all about the story. The match… But the story. The story was insane.” —Charlotte Flair, WWE Superstar
Flair’s candid perspective emphasized how Rousey’s crossover fame and “aura” provided an authenticity and legitimacy that elevated WWE’s women’s main event to another level. Despite debates about Rousey’s wrestling technique, her history in MMA and worldwide notoriety brought in new fans and attention, changing the business landscape for women in WWE.
The outcome of the match and its storytelling became a point of discussion, with Flair expressing mixed feelings about the bout itself. However, she acknowledged that the significance went beyond just the wrestling—it was a cultural milestone for WWE’s women’s division and wrestling fans worldwide.
Ronda Rousey’s Activities After WWE
Following her WWE exit in August 2023, Rousey quickly resurfaced in independent circuits. Her last match to date involved teaming with Marina Shafir in a tag match against Athena and Billie Starkz on November 17, 2023, at Ring of Honor. Since then, Rousey has not returned to the ring, leaving fans to speculate about her next move in pro wrestling.
The continued acknowledgment from both fans and her peers underscores Rousey’s lasting mark—not just as a performer, but as a catalyst for long-awaited change.
Speculation Surrounding a WWE Return for Rousey
Amidst ongoing rumors, WrestleVotes, speaking on a Q&A segment for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, weighed in on the chances of Rousey making a WWE comeback. With her established connection to TKO, WWE’s parent company, there remains speculation about a potential return, though a timeline is far from certain.
“It’s a flip of a coin for Rousey. I’d imagine she’s back at some point. She has a connection with TKO, don’t know it’s going to be anytime soon.”
—WrestleVotes, Wrestling Insider
These comments add to the suspense and anticipation fueled by Rousey’s unfinished story in WWE, especially given her unique position in combat sports and entertainment.
The Future of Women’s Main Events in WWE
Conversations about the future of main events for women in WWE extend beyond Rousey, with figures like Triple H discussing how decisions are made to headline premium shows. While Rousey’s impact on WrestleMania main event history is set, her example has raised the benchmark for what women in WWE can achieve.
As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, Rousey’s involvement in the WrestleMania 35 main event remains a defining moment—one that inspired both those inside the ring and millions of viewers worldwide, setting a precedent for future generations of wrestlers to break new ground on WWE’s grandest stage.
