Ronda Rousey Makes Surprise AEW Debut, Confronts Toni Storm
Ronda Rousey made a stunning debut in All Elite Wrestling on Sunday night, entering the ring at AEW Revolution 2026 to confront 'Timeless' Toni Storm at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
The appearance came immediately following Storm's victory over Marina Shafir in a match that lasted approximately nine minutes. Storm secured the win via rollup following a headbutt, after working through a physical back-and-forth that included three hip attacks in the corner and a Storm Zero.
Shafir mounted a serious threat late with her Mother's Milk submission hold, but Storm managed to escape by biting her opponent's hand before rallying to finish the match.
With Storm standing in the ring following the victory, Rousey's music hit and the UFC Hall of Famer made her way to the ring, calling Storm back in for a face-to-face confrontation. Security and referees quickly stepped in to separate the two women — but Shafir seized the moment, blindsiding Storm with a sucker punch from behind as the chaos unfolded around them.
The segment immediately points toward a potential alliance between Rousey and Shafir in AEW. The two have an existing connection, having teamed together for three tag team matches in Ring of Honor in 2023, giving their partnership established credibility heading into whatever comes next. Shafir has made no secret of her support for Rousey, publicly expressing excitement for her friend's upcoming return to competition.
Before any AEW program can fully develop, Rousey has a major commitment outside of wrestling. The former UFC champion is scheduled to return to MMA competition on May 16, facing Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California in a fight that will stream on Netflix.
The card is shaping up to be a significant event — Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins has also been confirmed for the same Netflix card. Shafir has confirmed she will be ringside to support Rousey on fight night.
The matchup has drawn attention from across combat sports. Amanda Serrano has publicly backed the fight, calling it a game-changer and firing back at those who have criticized the bout.
What Rousey's AEW schedule looks like beyond the May 16 fight remains unclear, but her appearance at Revolution — and the unmistakable tension with Toni Storm — has set the stage for a compelling program whenever she's ready to step back in the ring.
