Report: Ronda Rousey Could Take Break From WWE After WrestleMania

After some conflicting initial reports, it now appears Ronda Rousey will be preparing to take a temporary break from WWE after WrestleMania 35. With the Royal Rumble only days away, this raises big questions about how Rousey’s status could affect this Sunday and WrestleMania as a result.

Earlier today, The Wrestling Observer reported there was “very good chance that Ronda Rousey will be finished up with WWE at WrestleMania.” The news spread like wildfire, with multiple outlets spreading the word, but new reporting by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet seeks to clarify Rousey’s situation.

"“Here’s what we know. Sources tell us WWE agreed while signing Rousey that she could take time away if she wanted to start a family. We’re told around Survivor Series she informed the company that it was likely she’d be taking that break after WrestleMania.However, we’re told this is NOT set in stone quite yet and things could change once the show of shows rolls around or after. It could also change if she starts a family and decides that her main priorities lie elsewhere, but as of now she still has time left on her multi-year deal.”"

If initial reports of Rousey’s departure from the company had been true, it would’ve certainly raised legitimate questions about the likelihood of her leaving the Royal Rumble as Raw Women’s Champion and her potential placement on the WrestleMania 35 card.

TMZ Sports also reported they were told by a WWE spokesperson that “Ronda Rousey is under contract with WWE until April 10, 2021.” As pointed out in Sports Illustrated’s report earlier today, Rousey spoke on her YouTube channel in November about the difficulties of having a family while competing in WWE.

Between these comments and Pro Wrestling Sheet’s reporting, it appears we may be looking at a brief hiatus for Rousey after WrestleMania 35. If that’s the case, we may still see Ronda Rousey defending the Raw Women’s Championship in that night’s main event.

Rousey will defend the title this Sunday at the Royal Rumble against 4-time Raw Women’s Champion Sasha Banks. While the rivalry between Banks and Rousey started as one rooted in mutual respect, it has quickly become very tense and personal.

Just this Monday on Raw, Sasha Banks dealt Rousey her first defeat since coming to WWE. While the loss was in tag team action, and it was Rousey’s partner Natalya who tapped out, it gives Banks some much-needed momentum headed into the Royal Rumble.

After Rousey’s interference at TLC in the Triple Threat TLC Match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship, there is also speculation that Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch could be looking for revenge this Sunday. Interference by either superstar could cost Rousey her title, and future set up a very personal matchup at WrestleMania.

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However, the predictable and expected outcome could still come to fruition. For weeks, there has been talk that Rousey will retain and Becky Lynch or Charlotte Flair will win the women’s Royal Rumble Match in order to challenge Rousey at WrestleMania 35.

This still feels like the most likely outcome, as losing the title at WrestleMania would be a logical reason within the storyline for Rousey to temporarily step away from the ring.

While most of the focus is understandably on WrestleMania and the Royal Rumble, the report of Rousey’s hiatus also speaks to the potential NXT Four Horsewomen vs MMA Four Horsewomen match that WWE has built towards for some time now. The ideal setting for such a clash would be Survivor Series, and a hiatus from Rousey could still put her back in time for that event.

In order for such a match to happen, we’d also be seeing current NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler and fellow MMA Horsewomen Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke make their way to the main roster. This timetable gives them six months or more to continue to grow in NXT before transitioning to the main roster to stand beside Rousey.

While these reports don’t guarantee Rousey’s potential future in WWE, it does seem that elation from Rousey’s critics about her departure from wrestling was premature. Instead, “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” looks to continue as a main event player in WWE moving forward, even if she takes some time off to focus on her family.