Ronda Rousey Expected Back in WWE

WWE believes that Ronda Rousey will soon return to wrestling.

Monday, Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer reported that Rousey "is definitely on the books for WrestleMania" on April 3. Meltzer says she could return as soon as Saturday's Royal Rumble, the kickoff to WrestleMania.

As a former face of the UFC, Rousey gives WWE instant star power, perhaps second to only Roman Reigns.

Rousey made her WWE debut at the 2018 Royal Rumble and main evented WrestleMania in 2019. She has not appeared on WWE programming since April 2019.

Becky Lynch would be Rousey's most logical opponent. Rousey and Lynch, WWE's most popular active female wrestler, began a rivalry before Rousey's departure, a rivalry that continues to this day.

"Leave her at home," Lynch said in 2020 in preparation for Rousey's eventual return.

"I have talked a long time that all these MMA heads that want to come into WWE. Because they think it's an easy meal ticket but not put in the work and hours and hours we do when it comes to travel and the grind and obsessing about this and making sure the crowd appreciates everything we do. She doesn't want to put in that work. Just remember that I'll be getting better and better every time while she's at home playing with her Twitch or whatever."

Other possible opponents for Rousey include Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair.

Rousey surprised WWE viewers during her first run because she appeared on television weekly. WWE fans had assumed Rousey would appear sporadically, as a part-time talent like Brock Lesnar. So it's unclear how active Rousey will be this time around or whether WWE has plans for her past WrestleMania 38.

What a time in the wrestling world. Between Roman Reign's historic run as champion, the emergence of AEW, and the likely return of Ronda Rousey, there's a lot to get excited "a bout."