Ronda Rousey has no plans to return to WWE full-time but is open to participating in independent wrestling events under the right circumstances, prioritizing family and creative freedom.
Ronda Rousey has no plans to return to WWE. However, she may still explore future matches in professional wrestling under the right circumstances.
The former UFC champion, who became a superstar in WWE after her fighting career ended, closed that chapter after her most recent contract expired. She ended up at odds with WWE executive Bruce Prichard. In the aftermath of her exit, Rousey appeared at an independent wrestling show in Southern California. The event donated proceeds to help victims of the tragic fires in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Due to her history with concussions and plans to expand her family with husband Travis Browne, Rousey doesn’t expect to return to pro wrestling full-time. But she’s open to opportunities like the one she had this past November after leaving WWE.
“I feel like that’s the only way I’d really want to wrestle for right now,” Rousey said at a Q&A promoting her autobiography Our Fight. “We’re trying to have another baby right now so I’m trying focus on family and stuff.”
She added, “If we have another baby and I come back, I would probably just want to do local indie shows. Just so that I can get together with my friends and put together a match and prepare as much as we want.”
Rousey continued, “Do all the moves that we want and do it for as long as we want without all these restrictions and pressure.”
She emphasized showcasing talents that aren’t getting the spotlight they deserve.
“That Pro Wrestling Revolver show was a fundraiser for Lahaina fire victims or survivors,” she said. “That’s more of what I’d like to do—smaller, more intimate crowds.”
Ideally, Rousey wants more control over her matches. She wants time to develop a story with an opponent without the time restraints required by organizations like WWE.
“It just feels like more of a good time than something where I couldn’t have that kind of input or say in what was going on,” Rousey said.
While there would certainly be no shortage of options for Rousey if she returns to pro wrestling, one promotion welcomes the chance: Bloodsport. This organization is owned by former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.
Barnett’s brand of pro wrestling is different from what happens in organizations like WWE. He’s featured many high-profile fighters on his shows over the years.
In fact, his next card slated for June 22 in Japan features ex-UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba. They will be in matches alongside Barnett himself against current AEW star Jon Moxley.
Barnett also featured his longtime student and former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler on one of his recent shows. He knows Rousey would fit right in at Bloodsport.
“We know each other so if that was something she wanted to scratch, she knows how to get a hold of me,” Barnett told MMA Fighting. “She’s got a lot on her plate already.”
He added, “She’s a mom. She’s part of Browsey Acres and everything they’re doing out there. The product is fantastic.”
Barnett continued, “When we’re at the distillery doing a barbecue and getting together, we always order stuff straight from Travis and cook all their stuff.”
“I’ve got it in my freezer so I back what they do in that regard,” he said.
“Ronda has done a ton of stuff,” Barnett noted. “If she wanted to get back into pro wrestling or do some one-off stuff, I couldn’t think of any place better than our arena.”
He concluded, “To my knowledge, it’s not on her mind or radar at the moment.”
Beyond his relationship with Baszler, Barnett has also featured Marina Shafir on past Bloodsport shows. She remains one of Rousey’s closest friends.
In fact, Shafir performed with Rousey on that independent wrestling card this past November. Barnett feels it would be a perfect fit if Rousey ever wanted to perform again.
“It would be the easiest place to slot her into a show anyways,” Barnett said. “With Marina [Shafir] being such a regular with our shows, you could easily see one showing up if you saw the other.”