Ronda Rousey’s AEW Revolution Appearance: A ‘F*** You’ to TKO Group
Ronda Rousey’s appearance at AEW Revolution on March 15th was more than just a reveal of support for her friend Marina Shafir. it was a deliberate statement against TKO Group, the parent company of both WWE and UFC. The former UFC and WWE star revealed in a recent YouTube vlog that her appearance was, in part, “a little bit of a ‘f*** you’ to the TKO group.”
A Long-Standing Friendship
Rousey emphasized the deep bond she shares with Shafir, recounting their shared history in combat sports. “Marina is my best friend in the whole wide world and we grew up doing judo together as little kids. We both quit judo and started doing MMA and then we both quit MMA and started doing pro wrestling,” Rousey stated. She expressed immense pride in Shafir’s successful transition to professional wrestling, noting, “She’s absolutely crushing it and I’m so happy that everybody’s finally starting to take notice of how incredibly special she is.”
Secret Arrival at Revolution
AEW took considerable measures to keep Rousey’s involvement a secret prior to the event. Rousey described a somewhat unusual arrival at the arena, stating, “I was brought into the arena in a very unique way… I thought this was going to be much more chill, but they’re acting like it’s freaking Royal Rumble super secret.” She recounted being placed in a wheelchair, covered with a tarp, and wheeled into the arena to avoid detection.
AEW vs. WWE: A Different Atmosphere
Comparing the AEW environment to her time in WWE, Rousey noted a more relaxed atmosphere. “It’s a little bit weird, but also familiar, but also it’s like AEW, so it’s nice. It’s a little bit more laidback,” she said. She described AEW as “a less restrictive, more adult version of WWE,” which she found appealing. Rousey also acknowledged that her previous experience with AEW was limited to a pre-taped Ring of Honor match, making Revolution her first full-on AEW show.
Motivations Behind the Appearance
Rousey’s decision to appear at Revolution was fueled by a desire to support Shafir and promote her upcoming MMA fight against Gina Carano on Netflix. However, the appearance also served as a pointed message to TKO Group, with whom she had a falling out during negotiations for the Carano fight. “I kind of figured it’d be easier to ask for forgiveness instead of permission on this one. Like, I’m promoting your show. It’s fine,” Rousey explained.
Looking Ahead
While her AEW appearance generated significant buzz, there are currently no plans for a longer-term commitment with the promotion. Rousey is currently focused on her return to MMA, with her fight against Gina Carano scheduled for May 16th on Netflix. Her relationship with WWE has been strained since her departure in 2023, with Rousey publicly expressing frustrations with the company’s leadership.