Per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer (h/t Marc Middleton of WrestlingInc), Ronda Rousey has already begun training at the WWE Performance Center ahead of a career with the professional wrestling promotion.
With this strong move toward a career change, what I've long suspected is coming to fruition. Rousey is never coming back to the UFC.
Per Meltzer Rousey and three friends Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Safir aka The Four Horsewomen will be taking on pro wrestling's version of the moniker Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Bayley at WrestleMania 34 in April 2018. Meltzer says there were plans for the match to take place at Survivor Series in November, but more time was needed for Rousey and her crew to be trained for in-ring action and mic work.
This is a smart move for Rousey who recently married UFC heavyweight and potential WWE newcomer Travis Browne. In an interview with TMZ, Browne talked about the possibilities of him coming along to the WWE as well in some capacity.
Rousey has talked about wanting to start a family, and there's no doubt a career with the WWE is the path of least resistance for her. Because of her star level, Rousey will have the luxury of working a part-time schedule, thus she won't have to endure the grind that most WWE newcomers face.
Rousey will likely be able to take time off to film movies and to spend time with her family while popping in and out of her WWE role, ala Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
With the earning potential and flexibility that the WWE life will offer Rousey, why would she want to return to the UFC? As she was blown away by Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes in her last two fights in the Octagon, it was clear Rousey had lost the fire to compete in MMA.
That can be a dangerous predicament in a sport where you compete against hungry up-and-comers who would like nothing better than to claim the scalp of a world-renown superstar like Rousey.
She has already blazed a trail for women's MMA and accumulated a level of fame that has afforded her movie and TV roles and the opportunity to work with the WWE. Rousey has won the game and should enjoy the fruits of her labor with as little amount of stress and damage as possible.
