Despite multiple denials that she’d appear at Royal Rumble and statements that she was nowhere near the event, former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey did in fact show up in the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble
The women’s Rumble featured a ton of surprise guests (from Kelly Kelly to Beth Phoenix to Lita and Trish Stratus), but match favorite Asuka was able to win it all. During the post-match celebration, in which Asuka was expecting to choose between challenging Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship or Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship, ‘Bad Reputation’ hit. Rousey showed up in a Rowdy Roddy Piper tribute shirt, pointed to the WrestleMania sign, and got in the face of all three women. She also put the fear of God into Stephanie McMahon (again) by approaching her and offering a handshake. After all the speculation and a Royal Rumble, it looks like Rowdy Ronda is finally a (reportedly full-time) WWE Superstar.
Watch the video below:
Rousey has appeared on WWE television multiple times, usually in the crowd at Monday Night Raw or during the Mae Young Classic. Her most notable appearance before tonight’s Rumble was her Slammy Award-winning dismantling of Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in defense of The Rock at WrestleMania 31.
