Former UFC champ Ronda Rousey joins WWE

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Bengaluru, January 29: The former UFC Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey makes the switch from the octagon to the squared circle of WWE, according to a report from ESPN.

Rousey made a surprise appearance at Sunday's Royal Rumble after WWE superstar Asuka won first ever women's Royal Rumble match.

The winner of the Rumble, Asuka was joined by Raw's Alexa Bliss and Smackdown's Charlotte Flair in the ring and had to decide which champion she would face at Wrestlemania. Before Asuka could make a decision, she was interrupted by Rousey, who introduced herself to the three women in the ring, then pointed to the giant WrestleMania sign up on the rafters

Which definitely meant that she wants a match at this year's WrestleMania in New Orleans.

According to Ramona Shelbourne, Rousey has signed a full-time contract with WWE. She talked to ESPN about the deal:

"It's funny -- it's kind of like acting, in that it was something I always wanted to do but I never thought was in the cards for me," Rousey told ESPN of wanting to wrestle professionally.

"And now that I realize I really do have this opportunity, I feel like my 6-year-old self would totally kick my ass if I didn't take it."

Rousey's last fight in the UFC was in 2016 when she lost to the current UFC women's bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Ever since then there have been speculations on her future.

With her recent appearances around the WWE shows, there were lot of reports on her joining the WWE and now with her appearance in the Rumble event it all but confirms her arrival.

This isn't the first time Rousey has appeared in the WWE. She made a guest appearance during a segment with The Rock, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31. Outnumbered, The Rock looked to the crowd to stand up to Triple H and McMahon, that's when he saw Rousey in the front row and asked her to step into the ring. Ronda then took down both Triple H and Stephanie.

Now that Ronda Rousey has debuted as a member of the WWE roster, another WrestleMania is definitely on the horizon with this year's WrestleMania 34 set to take place on April 8 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.