Ronda Rousey has ruled herself out for WrestleMania 32 .
There was plenty of speculation as to whether the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion would be able to follow up her WrestleMania 31 appearance at next year’s show, and it seems all but confirmed. However, this isn’t UFC or Dana White’s call, it’s her own.
Rousey is attached to a film role, Mile 22 which will see her filming over in Indonesia at the end of March and beginning of April, effectively eliminating her from a spot on the WWE’s biggest show of the year. Rousey will star alongside Mark Wahlberg in the film. Rousey’s popularity has exploded over the past year, and she’s having more movie roles thrown her way.
In addition to her scheduled fight at UFC 193 against Holly Holm in November, Rousey already has a full plate in front of her. She’s set to go to a military ball in December, and is also attached to The Athena Project . Rousey has previously appeared in Furious 7 , Entourage and The Expendables 3 .
It was also revealed this week that Rousey may end up starring in a re-make of the classic Patrick Swayze film, Road House . Rousey posted about the gig on Twitter, and reportedly asked Swayze’s widow for her blessing on the role.
http://t.co/hVA44maR3h pic.twitter.com/YakdrFHSGv
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) September 9, 2015
At this year’s WrestleMania , Ronda Rousey seemed prime for a huge, main-event level match and program with notorious WWE villians, The Authority. Rousey joined Furious 7 co-star The Rock in the ring after he was berated by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rousey got involved physically, as she landed a hip throw on sure-fire Hall of Famer Triple H, and wrenched Stephanie McMahon’s arm.
Many speculated that a possible Rock and Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon mixed tag team match could end up being a headliner at WrestleMania 32 . Those rumors quickly switched to rumors of singles matches, then turned simply to rumors of The Rock vs. Triple H. As of now, even that is in the air.
UFC President Dana White has been steadfast in saying that Ronda Rousey won’t be participating in any WWE matches. White doesn’t want to risk an injury to his golden-egg laying goose, as Rousey has quickly developed into the biggest box office draw in MMA. Rousey still has plenty of time for pro wrestling, as she says she doesn’t want to fight into her 30s.
WWE has also reportedly shown interest in Rousey’s friend and training partner, fellow UFC fighter Jessamyn Duke. Duke appeared alongside Rousey at last year’s SummerSlam , and in the audience with her at WrestleMania . Duke also frequents Pro Wrestling Guerrilla shows, and trains under the likes of professional wrestler/MMA fighter Josh Barnett.
[Image via Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Sports]
