The wrestling community was abuzz when former WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey stepped away from the spotlight after her SummerSlam bout with Shayna Baszler. Speculation ran rampant—is “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” retiring from the squared circle for good? These rumors were quickly quashed when Rousey made a surprising return to pro wrestling, not under the WWE banner, but at an independent event, signaling that her journey in grappling entertainment is far from over.
Ronda Rousey’s unexpected appearance at Lucha VaVOOM in the historic Mayan Theatre was more than just a one-off spectacle; it was a clear message that her passion for the sport burns as fierce as ever. It wasn’t just the fans who took note – the wrestling world did too. Rousey’s indie resurgence has drawn the attention of international promoters, most notably from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
In an intriguing development, during a conversation with Fightful, veteran wrestler and NJPW liaison Rocky Romero extended an open invitation to Ronda Rousey. Romero expressed his eagerness to integrate Rousey into the NJPW fabric, even suggesting potential crossover opportunities with STARDOM, a prominent women’s wrestling promotion under the NJPW umbrella.
“I’m all for Rousey in New Japan Strong/Stardom. I’ve never met Ronda. I’m on Wrestling REVOLVER — Unreal. I definitely look forward to connecting with her,” Romero remarked. His enthusiasm didn’t stop there, as he detailed the perfect fit he saw for Rousey in the Japanese wrestling scene: “I think she would fit perfectly, better than any other company in Japan. Her background, her style — Japanese fans really understand that part. Imagining Ronda Rousey doing a New Japan show, that would be incredible. That would be super cool.”
As we look forward, Ronda Rousey is set to compete at another indie pro wrestling event this month, leaving us to wonder how long she’ll explore the indie circuit before potentially setting foot in an NJPW ring – a move that could shake the foundations of the industry.
The possibility that fans could witness Ronda Rousey’s judo throws and arm-bars in the NJPW style is a tantalizing prospect. This invite represents not just another chapter in Rousey’s storied career, but also a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of professional wrestling as a global phenomenon.
What do you, the fans, make of this development? Are you excited to see the potential of Ronda Rousey joining forces with NJPW, or perhaps revolutionizing women’s wrestling in Japan through STARDOM? Weigh in with your thoughts and expectations. As we await Rousey’s next move, one thing is clear: her journey in wrestling continues to captivate and surprise, transcending promotions and borders alike.
