Ronda Rousey Comments on WWE Royal Rumble Rumors, Filming Movie Until Mid-February

Ronda Rousey is a former UFC Champion that is one of the biggest draws in the history of that sport. With her UFC career likely behind her following two losses, the expectation is that Rousey will compete in WWE. Rousey has been rumored to be starting with WWE at some point this year especially after a recent business meeting with her manager and Triple H that happened to captured by the TMZ cameras. In the past few months, there have been reports about Rousey’s WWE deal being close and with speculation running wild due to the first ever women’s Royal Rumble on Sunday night, a lot of people believed that Rousey would be in it and she would win it.

In an interview at the airport that went up on TMZ today, Rousey said she would not be in at the Royal Rumble and explained why.

“I’m actually leaving to Colombia right now to finish shooting ‘Mile 22’ and won’t be back until mid-February.”

Rousey added that she hasn’t signed anything with WWE yet.

TJR Thoughts: Going into the Rumble, Rousey was my pick. I thought it was likely that she would enter the Rumble at #30, win the match by last eliminating the favorite Asuka and it would draw huge attention in the sports/entertainment media. It’s been known for several months that Rousey has been training to wrestle mostly with Brian Kendrick at his school in California, so she’ll be prepared when she gets in there.

Even though Rousey says it’s not going to happen, you just never know because it’s WWE and TMZ isn’t the most respected news source out there. They could be in on the work because when Rousey had that dinner meeting with Triple H, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer claimed that TMZ was likely tipped off about, which led to the photos and a way to get people talking. Years ago when Triple H cut his hair short, TMZ cameras were right there and he had two kids in Triple H shirts taking pics with him. You think that wasn’t planned? Of course it was. That’s why there is reason to doubt this.

I don’t know if Rousey telling the truth or if it’s all a work. Perhaps she is only going to be in Colombia for two days and then fly in to win the Rumble. Then she can fly back out to Colombia. Who knows? It’s up to you and what you want to believe. We’ll find out on Sunday at the Royal Rumble.

I’ll probably change my pick in the women’s Royal Rumble now (preview up on Friday), but I’m still skeptical too.