MMA-WWE Collide: Ronda Rousey Returns To Pro Wrestling

It was a big weekend for the WWE, as Royal Rumble went down on Saturday night.

And the MMA world was thrust into the spotlight during the event.

First, former UFC champion Ronda Rousey made her triumphant return to pro wrestling. Rousey, who left to have her first child with Travis Browne, won the female Royal Rumble match.

Rousey will get the opportunity to compete for the women’s championship later this year at WrestleMania 38.

Also, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar lost the WWE championship to Bobby Lashley. Lesnar, though, returned later in the night and won the men’s Royal Rumble match.

Lashley has also had plenty of success in mixed martial arts, including several wins under the Bellator MMA banner. The WWE did a tremendous job spotlighting this in the build to the mega-fight.

The 34-year-old Rousey last fought in the UFC in 2016 when she returned from a year-long hiatus and fell to Amanda Nunes. She went 12-2 overall with nine submission wins and five title defenses. 

Ironically enough, Lesnar’s last UFC fight also came in 2016 when he bested Mark Hunt. That decision, though, was overturned to a no-contest. He went 5-3 in his career.

Lashley also stepped inside the cage for the last time in 2016 with a submission of Josh Appelt. He went 15-2 with six submission and six knockout victories.

For more on the Royal Rumble and all things pro wrestling, check out WrestleNewz.