Ronda Rousey's AEW Status Unclear Ahead of MMA Return

The former UFC champion made a surprise appearance at AEW Revolution, but has not signed a deal with the promotion.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:09am

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Ronda Rousey, the former UFC champion, made a surprise appearance at the recent AEW Revolution pay-per-view, confronting Toni Storm before escaping. However, reports indicate that Rousey has not yet signed a deal with AEW, despite being invited by the promotion's president, Tony Khan, to appear anytime. Rousey is expected to return to MMA, with a fight against Gina Carano scheduled for May 2026 under the banner of Jake Paul's MVP and streamed live on Netflix.

Why it matters

Rousey's appearance in AEW generated significant buzz and controversy, as the former UFC star has been critical of the pay and treatment of fighters in the past. Her potential involvement in AEW could have major implications for the promotion, as well as her upcoming MMA return.

The details

According to reports, Rousey received the desired reaction as a heel during her AEW appearance, but she was expecting a different reaction. Sources within TKO and WWE indicate that they anticipate Rousey will 'do anything she can to go against WWE, UFC, and TKO at this point.' No follow-up creative plans have been heard for Rousey's involvement in AEW.

  • Ronda Rousey made her AEW debut at the Revolution PPV on March 19, 2026.
  • Rousey is scheduled to fight Gina Carano in May 2026 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Ronda Rousey

A former UFC champion and MMA veteran who made a surprise appearance at the recent AEW Revolution pay-per-view, confronting Toni Storm before escaping.

Tony Khan

The president of All Elite Wrestling, who invited Rousey to appear on the show anytime she liked.

Toni Storm

An AEW wrestler who was confronted by Ronda Rousey during her surprise appearance.

Marina Shafir

Ronda Rousey's friend who accompanied her during the AEW appearance and jumped the barricades to escape.

Gina Carano

Ronda Rousey's scheduled opponent for a fight in May 2026 under the banner of Jake Paul's MVP and streamed live on Netflix.

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What they’re saying

“She had this big, long speech about the UFC (partnering with Paramount) for $7 billion, and these fighters aren't making enough money – look, she made some good points. The most important thing is she gets the conversation out there, and it puts pressure on the UFC to pay people more.”

— Joe Rogan, UFC color commentator

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Ronda Rousey's surprise appearance in AEW has generated significant buzz and controversy, as the former UFC star has been critical of fighter pay and treatment in the past. Her potential involvement in AEW and upcoming MMA return could have major implications for the wrestling and MMA landscapes.