Given its decades of reinforcement, Jim Ross’ opinion is one of wrestling’s most respected. So when he makes an assertive point about Ronda Rousey coming to WWE, we take it as near dogma.
TMZ Sports recently caught up with Ross at an airport where they asked him about the prospect of Ronda Rousey in WWE.
Videos by PopCulture.com
“She’s going to be a big star. Somewhere it’s inevitable. I see her in Wrestlemania someday. Too great an opportunity for her to pass up and the WWE to pass up. It’s a match made in heaven,” Ross said.
Ever since her arm bar take down of Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31, the WWE Universe has been waiting for Rousey to compete in the WWE ring.
In a report from Cageside Seats, the idea of Rousey working in WWE is definite. Even further, they may have loosely scheduled a match for her. Next year at Wrestlemania 34, Ronda Rousey could be facing Charlotte Flair.
It’s a ways away, but Rousey has been far from shy when it comes to her WWE presence.
The #MaeYoungClassic will celebrate and showcase female competitors from around the world. Great to have @RondaRousey join us tonight. pic.twitter.com/dQy9C1qFbH
โ Triple H (@TripleH) July 13, 2017
While Rousey is not a participant in the Mae Young Classic, she did appear seated ringside with fellow MMA fighters Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke to watch friend Shayna Baszler (who Natalya mentions briefly in the clip) compete in the first round. Together, these ladies comprise the “Four Horsewomen of MMA.”
Fueling long-held rumors that Rousey may one day sign with the company, earlier this week, the WWE posted an online poll to their official website and Twitter account asking fans which of the ten top talents from the WWE women’s division they would most like to see Rousey face in a possible debut. The talents included Natalya, Charlotte Flair, Stephanie McMahon and more.
If @RondaRousey were to compete in @WWE, which Superstar would YOU want to see her battle first? https://t.co/yUEaFdqDcA
โ WWE (@WWE) July 15, 2017
Following back-to-back brutal TKO defeats to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes, the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion has plummeted from her lofty status as MMA’s biggest draw and most polarizing superstar.
Rousey hasn’t shown any intent to compete in the octagon again, although that’s merely conjecture based on the fact that she’s avoided addressing it with the media. But UFC President Dana White has gone on record saying that we’ve likely seen the last of Rousey’s career in the cage.
WWE advocate and MMA superfan Paul Heyman also recently stated that he would like to see Rousey join the ranks.
“I think the WWE audience would embrace Ronda Rousey with open arms,” he said in a recent podcast interview. “It doesn’t matter, her past two experiences in the UFC. All that matters is if she got involved in a story that people could relate to and sink their teeth into and get excited about.”
Perhaps Rousey could join fellow UFC-crossover talent Brock Lesnar under Paul Heyman’s management. The door remains open.