Ronda Rousey surprise appearance at AEW Revolution may be connected to ongoing frustration with TKO Group Holdings over a compensation issue, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer reported that a source close to the situation indicated Rousey’s AEW angle is partially tied to a dispute involving her planned fight with Gina Carano. Negotiations for the Carano fight under the UFC banner went on for over a year but ultimately fell through. When the deal collapsed, TKO allegedly revised the compensation terms, leaving Ronda Rousey with limited options. The fight is now scheduled to take place under Jake Paul’s MVP promotion on Netflix rather than through the UFC.
Regarding speculation about a potential match between Rousey and Toni Storm, Meltzer clarified that no plans are currently in place. “Rousey, who is not shy about promoting her projects, to the best of my knowledge, did not push AEW after the angle,” he wrote. “The angle would lead you to believe there would be a Rousey vs. Storm match, which would get some attention, although we’ve heard nothing at all indicating it is happening.”
The response from WWE to Rousey’s AEW appearance was reportedly negative, and TKO may also view the situation unfavorably given her presence on a competing platform. Meltzer emphasized, however, that the overall impact on the wrestling industry is limited. “This is more an annoyance than any kind of game changer for wrestling,” he noted. Rousey has not publicly praised AEW nor criticized WWE in relation to the angle.
Storm’s extended absence adds further uncertainty to any follow-up program. She was pulled from AEW Dynamite the week after Revolution due to a legitimate injury and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period, with no confirmed return timeline.
WA on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wrestlingattitude/
WA on Facebook (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.facebook.com/WrestlingDivas/
WA on X/Twitter - https://x.com/wa_wrestling
WA on Instagram (Women's Wrestling) - https://www.instagram.com/wa_wrestlingattitude/
WA on Google News - https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMJf3owsw2oG8Aw
WA on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlingattitude.bsky.social
