UFC legend Ronda Rousey ‘fangirled’ over WWE icon Trish Stratus – and now she’s backed for incredible return
UFC legend Ronda Rousey will be back in WWE with an ‘amazing’ comeback, says Hall of Fame icon Trish Stratus.
Rousey ventured from the Octagon to the squared circle in becoming a professional wrestler after a dominant run in legitimate sports combat where she’d won gold and obliterated records.
A lifelong wrestling fan, Rousey made her debut as a full-time member of WWE’s roster in 2018 and would go on to claim world titles on both their Raw and SmackDown brands.
She battled some of the top stars in the business along the way, also winning the Royal Rumble in 2022.
Despite it all, her stay in WWE across two spells proved ultimately short lived, arguably in part because some fans felt her legitimate fighting background left her less suited to the entertainment world of WWE.
After her SumerSlam 2023 match with Shayna Baszler was criticised by a section of fans, Rousey claimed in an Instagram post to have retired, despite wrestling again a few weeks later.
Nevertheless, one wrestling great in Stratus feels the industry will eventfully lure Rousey back, batting away the idea that her style didn’t blend with WWE.
“She did such a great job and probably doesn’t get enough credit for what she did,†Stratus told talkSPORT.com in an exclusive interview.
“To be able to come over to an entirely new industry… it’s not the same. Did she feel like it didn’t translate when she did her wrestling? Absolutely it did, she had stellar matches with stellar athletes and had her own style.
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“She brought over the fan base and brought so much to our product, it was great.â€
Stratus and Rousey did cross paths briefly in WWE in 2018 and the pair hit it off. The Canadian is a keen admirer of the former Olympian’s career, and her decision to halt her career to start a family with husband Travis Browne.
Stratus added: “I remember when we first met and I was like, ‘this is so cool, it’s Ronda Rousey!’
“I was just in awe of her, it takes a lot of guts to come over [from UFC to WWE] and put all your eggs in this basket, and she did that.
“I think she translated quite well, and I wanted to tell her, but she fangirled and that was cool because I didn’t expect that!
“I was happy to know she was a fan growing up and I loved that she got to make the decision to get to the top of the business, then take a break to have a baby and do that side.
“This is an amazing career, but there’s also life, right? You have to think about that, too.â€
Of wrestling being in Rousey’s future once more, Stratus was certain, but quipped it may not be in time for the two to collide in the ring.
“She’s gonna come back and she’ll have an amazing comeback, I’m sure.
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“I don’t know if I can be around for that window. When it is it going to be? Time’s ticking!â€
The Stratusfaction Tour presented by Inside The Ropes happens March 4 in Glasgow and concludes March 5 in London. Fans will have the exclusive opportunity to delve into the mind of Trish. For more information & tickets: bit.ly/itr-trish