Tonight’s RAW-closing segment saw Ronda Rousey make her return to celebrate her Women’s Royal Rumble win from Saturday.
Rousey talked about trying to decide if she should challenge RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch or SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair on The Grandest Stage of Them All, taking more shots at Lynch but noting that she has unfinished business with both.
Rousey was interrupted by Lynch, who came to the ring and pressured Rousey to name her opponent. Rousey instead took Lynch down with a judo throw to get the mic from her, held her down by her arm, and said she will give her answer during Friday’s SmackDown on FOX.
The segment was designed to build suspense and get viewers to tune into SmackDown but the advertising on WWE.com pretty much spoilers what Rousey’s plans are for WrestleMania. The arena websites are listing Rousey for almost all of the Friday Night SmackDown shows leading up to WrestleMania. WWE.com’s event pages have Rousey listed for every SmackDown heading into Mania so this essentially confirms Dave Meltzer’s reporting that Rousey will decide to challenge for Charlotte Flair’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Meltzer noted that plans changed and it was decided on Rousey vs. Flair this year and next year’s match at WrestleMania 39 will likely be Rousey vs. Lynch. Rousey has signed on at least through next year’s WrestleMania so she will be a regular performer going forward, at least on the major pay-per-view events and weekly SmackDown shows.
Ronda Rousey To Give Her WrestleMania Answer On SmackDown
