n a surprising turn of events that is set to rock the wrestling world, Ronda Rousey, UFC legend and WWE superstar, has given her “hard out” date to the WWE. As first reported by The Wrestling Observer, the martial arts trailblazer is set to bid her final adieu to WWE after an intense feud with Shayna Baszler, although the exact departure date remains a mystery.
Rousey’s announcement to leave WWE comes amidst a sea of speculation. According to insider Dave Meltzer, Rousey’s exit has always been part of the long game. “This was always, always, always the plan. It kept getting delayed and then Ronda got hurt…but the deal is that Ronda has a hard out,” reveals Meltzer. Although the details are sparse, whispers within the wrestling community suggest that her last hurrah could be at SummerSlam on August 5, but definitely much before WrestleMania XL in April next year.
This bold move has stunned WWE enthusiasts, not just because of Rousey’s star power, but due to the much-anticipated feud with Baszler, a fellow pro wrestling enthusiast who Rousey credits with sparking her interest in the sport. The rivalry has been brewing for a while, with fans eagerly awaiting the face-off. With Rousey’s departure looming, the company had to expedite the feud.
Rousey’s exit marks the end of a second stint in WWE, which she re-joined at the Royal Rumble in 2022 after a nearly three-year hiatus. This followed her initial run that lasted from WrestleMania 34 to 35, which ended in defeat. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this exit marks her retirement from the ring or the start of another lengthy sabbatical.
There’s also considerable buzz about what lies in Rousey’s future. The 36-year-old has been tipped for a sensational return to the UFC Octagon, seven years after she left the MMA promotion. Rumours are swirling that she could be a contender for the vacant women’s bantamweight title in the wake of Amanda Nunes’s retirement. Rousey, after all, was the UFC’s first female champion and participated in their inaugural all-female fight.
But as the wrestling world awaits more details, Ronda Rousey’s WWE career enters its final chapter. Regardless of her future plans, Rousey’s intense feud with Baszler and her eventual departure promise to make for thrilling entertainment in the months to come.
