Ronda Rousey made a surprising appearance at All Elite Wrestling’s AEW Revolution event on March 15, 2026, just weeks before her highly anticipated return to mixed martial arts. The former UFC champion, who transitioned to professional wrestling, joined her friend Marina Shafir in confronting fan favorite Toni Storm at the event. Rousey’s participation comes ahead of her headline fight against actress Gina Carano, set to be broadcast live on Netflix in May.
The AEW Revolution event saw Rousey receive a mixed reaction from the crowd, with notable boos directed her way. Following the event, AEW President Tony Khan expressed his openness to Rousey’s involvement in future events. He stated during a press conference, “Ronda is a really good friend of Marina Shafir, and Marina brought her in as backup.” Khan emphasized that Rousey’s presence was not originally planned due to a ban on ringside spectators but noted her impact during the match, where Shafir took advantage of the distraction to land a punch on Storm.
Khan, also the owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and the UK’s Fulham Football Club, reflected on Rousey’s history with AEW, highlighting her earlier involvement with his Ring of Honor promotion in 2023. “Once the match was over, Ronda did get involved, she made her presence known,” Khan added, indicating the strategic nature of Rousey’s appearance.
The wrestling community reacted with surprise to Rousey’s AEW appearance, especially within WWE, where many were reportedly “shocked” to see her supporting a rival organization. Rousey left WWE less than three years ago but is now partnering with Netflix for her upcoming fight.
According to Gina Carano, Rousey approached her with the desire to make this fight a reality. Carano stated, “Ronda came to me and said there is only one person she would make a comeback for, and it’s been her dream to make this fight happen between us.” She expressed respect for Rousey, acknowledging the significance of their matchup for both fighters and the MMA community.
Carano further added, “This is an honour. I believe I will walk out of this fight with the win, and I anticipate it will not come easy, which I welcome.” She emphasized the fight’s importance, stating it serves both their legacies and the fans of mixed martial arts.
Rousey also conveyed her excitement about the upcoming fight, stating, “Been waiting so long to announce this.” She described the clash with Carano as “the biggest superfight in women’s combat sport history,” highlighting their collaboration with MVP, the fighter-first promotion, and Netflix, recognized as a leading streaming platform.
The upcoming fight marks a significant moment in women’s mixed martial arts, and both Rousey and Carano are poised to deliver an electrifying performance that promises to capture the attention of fans worldwide. With the event scheduled for May, anticipation continues to build, setting the stage for a remarkable return for Rousey and a pivotal moment for Carano in her own career.
