Jeff Jarrett Discusses Ronda Rousey's AEW Debut, Odds of Shayna Baszler Joining Her

The wrestling veteran shares his thoughts on Rousey's surprise appearance and the potential for more crossover between MMA and AEW.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:37pm

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In a recent podcast interview, veteran wrestler and executive Jeff Jarrett shared his thoughts on Ronda Rousey's surprise debut at AEW's Revolution pay-per-view. Jarrett expressed excitement about Rousey's appearance and the potential implications, noting that her main motivation may have been to promote her upcoming MMA fight. Jarrett also speculated on the possibility of Rousey's former UFC colleague Shayna Baszler joining her in AEW.

Why it matters

Rousey's AEW debut was a major surprise that has generated significant buzz and speculation about the future crossover between MMA and pro wrestling. As a respected veteran, Jarrett's perspective provides valuable insight into how this high-profile signing could impact AEW and the broader wrestling landscape.

The details

In the interview, Jarrett praised current AEW star Toni Storm, saying she could have found success in any era of wrestling. He then discussed Rousey's debut, noting that it "shocked some folks" and generated a lot of attention that could benefit Rousey's upcoming MMA fight. However, Jarrett also acknowledged that Rousey's long-term status with AEW remains uncertain, as she is not currently signed to the promotion and has previously expressed ambivalence about a full-time return to pro wrestling.

  • Ronda Rousey made her surprise AEW debut at the 2026 Revolution pay-per-view.
  • Rousey is scheduled to return to MMA and fight Gina Carano on May 16, 2026 in an event backed by Netflix and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

The players

Jeff Jarrett

A veteran wrestler and executive who has worked in various pro wrestling promotions, including WWE and AEW.

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC and WWE star who made a surprise debut for AEW at their 2026 Revolution pay-per-view.

Toni Storm

A current AEW star who Jarrett praised for her versatility and ability to succeed in any era of wrestling.

Gina Carano

A former Strikeforce fighter who Rousey is scheduled to face in an MMA event backed by Netflix and Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions.

Amanda Nunes

The UFC fighter who defeated Rousey in her last MMA fight in December 2016.

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What they’re saying

“I'm here for it. Who knows where this is going. Toni is successful in this era, and you can't say this about all talent. She could have been successful in the 60s, 70s, when the territories got super red hot in the early 80s, the Attitude Era. Can you imagine what she had done then? She is really, really good. And I thought all that was super hype. The first three matches had [surprises]. I think Ronda shocked some folks ... [AEW's future with] Ronda, TBD. I mean you would have to say her number one motivation to be there, how many eyeballs were on her to get views for her fight last night? A lot. She made news last night, I think, in a positive way for her fight.”

— Jeff Jarrett

What’s next

Whether Ronda Rousey will make additional appearances for AEW remains to be seen, as she is not currently signed to the promotion and has previously expressed ambivalence about a full-time return to pro wrestling. Her focus in the immediate future appears to be on her upcoming MMA fight against Gina Carano.

The takeaway

Ronda Rousey's surprise AEW debut has generated significant buzz and speculation about the potential for further crossover between MMA and pro wrestling. As a respected industry veteran, Jeff Jarrett's perspective provides valuable insight into how this high-profile signing could impact AEW and the broader wrestling landscape.