Former UFC champ Rousey jumps ships, joins WWE through late "Rumble" appearance

Ronda Rousey points at the Wrestlemania logo at the top area of the Wells Fargo Center, signaling that she will take part in the said event in New Orleans this April. WWE

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In an appearance that made the rounds both offline and online, Ronda Rousey showed up in the closing segment of the WWE Royal Rumble at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday (Philippine Time).

It was then revealed that Rousey, through an interview with ESPN's Ramona Shelburne before the event, signed a contract with WWE on a full-time basis.

In the said segment, Kanako Urai, better known as Asuka, was about to choose on which belt she will vie for after winning the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match, the headliner of the said wrestling show.

But Rousey showed up and pointed at the Wrestlemania logo just behind the arena's roof, hinting that a storyline is being built up for her leading to a potential title match at the said event in New Orleans in April.

The former UFC women's bantamweight champion, however, implicitly added that she is not yet retiring from MMA despite losing her last two matches, the recent against Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in Las Vegas on Dec. 31, 2016 (Philippine Time).

[Related Story: Nunes spoils Rousey comeback with quick KO]

Meanwhile, it was also announced by the WWE that Jonathan Coachman will make a return to the Raw panel after a stint with ESPN. Also rumored having a comeback is former WWE United States champion and current Bellator MMA fighter Bobby Lashley, who was once signed with rival promotion Impact Wrestling.

With a report from JP Abcede.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno