With the Royal Rumble match over and Ronda Rousey emerging victorious, she will now get to choose which champion she will face at WrestleMania 38 in April. She will be present at this Monday’s Raw on Jan. 31 for the first time in nearly three years.
There were several reports of Rousey returning to WWE prior to her entering the Royal Rumble Match. Such outlets as The Wrestling Observer, PWInsider, and Fightful had cited sources of such. Rousey is said to have a new contract in place with WWE.
Since Rousey’s win, Fightful has found out more.
Moving forward the plan is currently for Rousey to challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Title at WrestleMania. Rousey entered the Royal Rumble at the number 28 position and the match came down to both her and Flair before The Queen was tossed over the top rope eliminating her.
Prior reports had suggested that Rousey may come back to challenge Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Title as they have a history also. Rousey, Lynch, and Flair all headlined the first-ever women’s main event at a WrestleMania in 2019. Heading into that bout, Rousey was the Raw Women’s Champion and Flair was the SmackDown Women’s Champion with Lynch being the Royal Rumble winner that year. It was a Winner Take All match that Lynch walked away with both championships. This was the last time Rousey was on WWE programming.
Fightful adds that WWE sources are saying that Flair has pushed for this feud with Ronda for a number of months now and it is why WWE has been wanting a return time from her since she gave birth to her first child in 2021.
The reported plans for Lynch when it comes to Mania will likely be for her to face Bianca Belair. She successfully retained the Raw Women’s Title at the Royal Rumble event against Doudrop.
At this time, nothing has been confirmed by WWE for the WrestleMania 38 matches. Rousey making her choice is yet to come.
Check back in with Diva Dirt for more news as we head into WrestleMania season.
