Ronda Rousey has made a surprising return to wrestling, months after what many believe was her final WWE match.
At Los Angeles-based promotion Lucha VaVOOM's event on Friday (October 27) at the Mayan Theatre, Rousey was seated ringside during Marina Shafir's match against fellow AEW wrestler Taya Valkyrie.
During the match Rousey ended up leaving her seat and getting involved, eventually teaming with Shafir against Valkyrie and Brian Kendrick.
Related: Ronda Rousey says she's 'forgiven' WWE fans for booing her
Rousey and Shafir won the match after Rousey made Kendrick tap out to an ankle lock.
On Instagram, Rousey shared footage from the match and wrote: "@luchavavoom was honestly the best Lucha/burlesque hybrid show I’ve ever had the pleasure of jumping into unannounced.
"Anyone who doubted me and @marinashafir could make magic in a ring is an idiot - thank you @thetayavalkyrie and @mr.briankendrick for being down to get down with us."
Rousey's last WWE match was against her former tag team partner Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam in August.
Related: Ronda Rousey reveals the hardest part of being a WWE Superstar
Her departure from WWE has never been officially confirmed – however, she was recently moved to the Alumni section on WWE's website.
Rousey is set to publish her second autobiography Our Fight on April 4, 2024.
In a statement to People announcing the book earlier this week, Rousey said: "I’ve been silent the last few years because there was more to say than could ever be relayed in an interview.
"Our Fight is everything I’ve wished I could fit into a headline but just couldn’t. My story in my words. All the answers I needed years to give succinctly."
Catch up on Raw, Smackdown, NXT and all the big WWE action via the WWE Network or TNT Sports. US viewers can access the WWE Network via Peacock.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stephanie is a writer who specialises in pro wrestling, covering everything from AEW and WWE to NJPW.
After graduating with a degree in history from Queen Mary University, London, she went on to study journalism at Birbeck University.
Outside of her journalism work Stephanie is also a YouTube content creator focusing on AEW and interviewing talent from AEW, WWE, and across the indie wrestling scene. She has also worked for Revolution Pro Wrestling as a backstage interviewer and commentator.
