Mutual admiration could push Ronda Rousey from UFC to WWE

(This story first appeared at USAToday.com.)

Even before Ronda Rousey fights for the chance to regain her UFC bantamweight title on Dec. 30, her future inside the octagon is the subject of much discussion.

Win or lose against Amanda Nunes at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, few would be surprised to see the MMA superstar exit the sport sooner rather than later.

When she does so, expect the WWE to come calling.

The most dominant franchise in sports entertainment has made little secret of the fact that it covets Rousey, after she made a well-received and cleverly scripted cameo appearance alongside Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock) at WrestleMania in 2015.

“Our fans love Ronda,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE’s chief brand officer and television personality. “Ronda has this cross-platform appeal in terms of all forms of entertainment. We would welcome her with open arms. She is the total package.”

The 13 months that elapsed since she was knocked out by Holly Holm and relinquished both the bantamweight belt and her MMA unbeaten record were tough for Rousey.

She admitted on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” that the defeat and the aftermath of it caused her to have suicidal thoughts. Speculation that her UFC career may not span much longer has been fueled by her own remarks indicating that she does not envision many more fights, as well as the possibility of a future in the film industry.

In terms of finances though, the WWE could potentially bring as much clout to the table as anyone. Enough perhaps, to hasten the end of Rousey’s UFC stint, especially if she loses to titleholder Nunes.

According to Forbes, seven members of the WWE roster made more than $2 million last year, topped by John Cena at $9.5 million. None of those were female, but Rousey brings an already established level of fame that would boost her earning power significantly.

With the bouts scripted — the WWE prefers the term “sports entertainment” rather than “pro wrestling” — there is not the inherent MMA danger of the physical perils of a knockout and the psychological struggle that comes with it. WWE does, however, demand a high level of physical strength, dexterity and conditioning — not to mention pain thresholds.

McMahon is a savvy business entrepreneur who is part of a family dynasty that turned the organization from a wrestling circuit previously concentrated on a regional approach into a global juggernaut worth an estimated $1.5 billion.

With many of the storylines built around big characters and well-known crossover personalities, Rousey checks a number of boxes. The fact that she has been a fan of the organization since childhood doesn’t hurt either.

“It was like a dream come true to take part in WrestleMania,” Rousey said. “It was such a special atmosphere, something I have loved since I was a kid.”

Before she lost to Holm, Rousey also said she wished to one day claim the WWE Women’s Championship.

McMahon’s husband, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, a senior WWE executive vice president, told reporters on a recent trip to England that the WWE and Rousey had “talked about doing things in the future.”

The idea that Rousey could switch to WWE has been discussed by fans ever since WrestleMania 31, held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara last year, and effectively the WWE’s version of the Super Bowl.

McMahon and Levesque frequently play the part of villainous corporate bullies on television and were involved in a tense staredown with Rousey and Johnson in the plotline. Rousey thrilled the crowd by hip-tossing Levesque to the canvas, before locking her signature armbar onto McMahon. Despite that element to the show, McMahon and Rousey have since become firm friends.

“The moment was awe inspiring,” McMahon said. “Our business works the best when there is magic and energy in the air, and Ronda’s presence brought that.

“With a guest appearance like Ronda’s, to work best it has to be genuine and authentic. Pop culture is a huge strategy for WWE, our storylines are reflective of what’s happening in the world and what’s popular. In sports, it doesn’t get much more popular than Ronda.”

To the uninitiated, the WWE and UFC might seem to be at opposite ends of the fight spectrum. The octagon offers no place to hide, one of the most punishing and brutal of all sports. Outcomes of WWE bouts, meanwhile, are pre-ordained by company scriptwriters. However, there is a huge crossover following and UFC president Dana White borrowed heavily from the WWE’s knack for promotion as he built the UFC into a major brand. WWE stars such as Brock Lesnar and CM Punk have fought in the UFC, with varying degrees of success.

Rousey’s uncompromising persona would appear to make her an ideal fit. She even took her nickname “Rowdy” from former wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who died in 2015.

“Muhammad Ali credited pro wrestling for where he got his trashtalking skills and persona,” McMahon added. “I would like to think there is a bit of ‘Rowdy’ and wrestling history in Ronda and the way she carries herself, but she is definitely her own individual brand.”

It is a brand that right now is synonymous with the UFC and the fight game. When that changes, don’t be shocked if the WWE swiftly presents itself as an alternative option.

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