Ronda Rousey has shed more light on her AEW Revolution appearance, revealing it was partly motivated by frustration with TKO Group following the collapse of her UFC return plans.
Speaking in a behind-the-scenes vlog on her YouTube channel, Ronda Rousey described her surprise appearance at the pay-per-view as a deliberate move, while also framing it as a way to support her close friend Marina Shafir.
“It’s kind of a cool little bit of a… little bit of a f**k you to the TKO group,” Rousey said. “I kind of figured it’d be easier to ask for forgiveness instead of permission on this one.”
Rousey also detailed the lengths to which she went to keep her involvement a secret, explaining that she was brought into the arena in disguise.
“They had me jump into a wheelchair and throw a tarp over me and wheel me in,” she said. “I thought this was going to be much more chill, but they’re acting like it’s super secret.”
Reflecting on her experience at the event, Rousey shared her first impressions of AEW, noting a different atmosphere from WWE.
“It’s a little bit more laidback… a less restrictive, more adult version of WWE,” she said.
Ronda Rousey Said She Appeared At AEW Revolution To Support Her Friend Marina Shafir
A key reason for Ronda Rousey’s appearance was to support Marina Shafir, who competed in her first AEW pay-per-view match. Rousey spoke highly of her long-time friend, highlighting their shared background.
“Marina is my best friend… we grew up doing judo together,” Rousey said. “She’s absolutely crushing it and I’m so proud of her.”
Rousey’s appearance generated immediate attention, but it is not expected to lead to further involvement with AEW in the near future. She is currently preparing for her return to MMA, where she is scheduled to face Gina Carano on May 16.
The former WWE star previously competed in the company between 2018 and 2023, and has since been vocal about her issues with WWE and its parent company, TKO.
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