Ronda Rousey, former UFC and WWE Women’s World Champion, recently confirmed she was not contacted by WWE to participate in the highly anticipated Evolution II event held in July 2025. Despite headlining the inaugural all-women’s WWE pay-per-view (PPV) in 2018, which marked a historic moment for the women’s division, Rousey’s absence from this year’s follow-up raised eyebrows among fans and insiders alike.
Rousey Speaks Out on Her Absence from Evolution II
In a candid interview with Raj Prashad of Yahoo’s Uncrowned, Ronda Rousey clarified that WWE never extended an invitation for her to appear at Evolution II. “I didn’t hear from anybody,” Rousey stated. “They were like, ‘There’s always an open door; if you ever want to come back, let us know.’” This statement dispels any rumors that she turned down an offer or was unavailable due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, it was a decision from WWE’s side not to involve the former champion in the card[1][2][4].
Sources close to WWE confirm that while Rousey’s relationship with the company remains amicable enough for a potential return, the company has shifted focus toward newer talents and established stars who were featured prominently at Evolution II. This strategic choice has been described backstage as part of WWE’s long-term vision to elevate next-generation women’s wrestlers[1].
The Contrast with Nikki Bella’s Role at Evolution II
Nikki Bella, Rousey’s competitor in the first Evolution main event, was present at Evolution II, competing in a 20-woman battle royal. Her participation underscored the event’s bridging of WWE women’s past and future stars. Bella’s involvement contrasted starkly with Rousey’s absence, fueling fan speculation about behind-the-scenes decisions.
A WWE insider shared that “Nikki’s ongoing presence in WWE storylines and roles, both on-screen and backstage, made her a natural fit for Evolution II, whereas Rousey’s recent tenure had become more intermittent.” This points to WWE’s current focus on wrestlers active within company programming, shaping the evolution of the women’s division rather than relying heavily on part-time or external stars[1][4].
Reflecting on Rousey’s WWE Departure and Relationship
Rousey left WWE following her MMA-style match against Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam 2023. Since then, she has made intermittent independent wrestling appearances but has largely distanced herself from WWE’s inner workings.
In her interview, Rousey described the company atmosphere during her time there in unvarnished terms. She characterized WWE’s environment as chaotic, mentioning “a lot of needless anxiety and things like that” and referring to the company internally as a “chaotic s—t show.” Furthermore, she noted that many of her close friends within WWE had been released by the company, leaving her with little motivation to return[2].
This brutally honest reflection provides context for her lack of interest in revisiting the WWE stage anytime soon, regardless of ongoing invitations.
Evolution II: The Changing Landscape of WWE Women’s Wrestling
The 2025 Evolution event was the second all-women’s PPV in WWE history, held on July 13 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The card showcased a mix of veterans and rising stars across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, including marquee matches such as:
- Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Heavyweight Championship
- Tiffany Stratton vs. Trish Stratus for the WWE Women’s Championship
- Becky Lynch vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria in a triple threat Women’s Intercontinental Championship match
- No Holds Barred match between Jade Cargill and Naomi
- A chaotic Women’s Tag Team Championship fatal four-way
Trish Stratus’ return to challenge for the Women’s Championship and the presence of legends alongside contemporary stars indicated WWE’s blend of honoring history and promoting fresh talent[3][5].
Sources backstage noted the company wants to build a women’s division that continually evolves and engages new audiences, sometimes at the expense of relying on part-timers or established crossover stars like Rousey.
What’s Next for Ronda Rousey and WWE?
While WWE has not officially ruled out bringing Rousey back in the future, her recent comments suggest that she has no immediate plans to return, especially given her dissatisfaction with WWE’s culture and the circumstances surrounding her departure.
A WWE insider highlighted that “Ronda remains a recognizable superstar with crossover appeal, and WWE would welcome her back under the right conditions, but right now, the company’s focus is on its core, full-time talent.”
Meanwhile, Rousey continues to explore opportunities outside of WWE, including independent wrestling appearances and roles in various media[4].
In summary, Ronda Rousey’s absence from WWE Evolution II was not by her choice but because she was never invited. Her blunt remarks about WWE’s internal atmosphere and the release of many of her friends reveal complexities beyond simple booking decisions. WWE appears committed to spotlighting current and emerging women’s talent while leaving the door open, however slightly, for Rousey’s potential future involvement. Fans eager to see the former champion return, however, may have to wait longer amidst this evolving women’s division landscape.