Ronda Rousey Says WWE Never Invited Her to Return for Evolution II

Ronda Rousey isn’t holding back when it comes to WWE’s decision-making. The former UFC and WWE Women’s World Champion confirmed she wasn’t contacted to appear at the company’s recent all-women’s Evolution II premium live event — a move that left fans stunned given her history with the brand.

The Evolution II event, held on July 13, 2025, brought back the company’s all-women format for the first time since 2018. That original show was main evented by Rousey, who successfully defended her Raw Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella. Yet while Bella returned for this year’s installment and competed in the 20-woman battle royal, Rousey was nowhere to be seen.

Speaking with Raj Prashad of Yahoo’s Uncrowned, Rousey confirmed that WWE never reached out.

“I didn’t hear from anybody. It was more of the way we left it was, they were like, ‘There’s always an open door; if you ever want to come back, let us know,’” she said.

Advertising

Advertising

The quote clarifies that her absence wasn’t due to a refusal or scheduling conflict—WWE simply didn’t make the call.

Rousey’s last WWE match took place at SummerSlam 2023, where she lost to longtime friend Shayna Baszler in an MMA Rules match. After that, she made brief appearances for Ring of Honor and the independent scene, including a tag team stint with Marina Shafir, but hasn’t returned to the squared circle since.

In other recent interviews, Rousey stated she’s “pretty much” retired from wrestling, citing creative frustrations and her desire to focus on family and writing. Still, for fans who expected WWE to at least acknowledge her pivotal role in launching the original Evolution show, her exclusion speaks volumes.

WWE may claim there’s always an open door, but not knocking on it for a historic event Rousey helped build sends its own message.