WWE rumors: FOX wants Ronda Rousey on SmackDown

A new report suggests that FOX will ask for one of the biggest WWE stars to be on SmackDown when the network starts broadcasting it next year.

With FOX taking over SmackDown broadcasts in October 2019, it’s being reported by popular wrestling site WrestlingINC.com that FOX wants to bring in Raw Women’s Champion and former UFC fighter Ronda Rousey to the SmackDown brand when it finally comes on the air. This should only be interpreted as a rumor for now unless there’s some form of confirmation in the near future.

“Wrestling Inc. has learned that FOX wants to have Ronda Rousey on the SmackDown roster when SmackDown Live! moves to the network,” stated Justin LaBar of WrestlingINC.

“FOX feels that Rousey’s MMA background, popularity and credibility as an athlete will be a major selling point to promote the show.”

If this rumor turns out to be true, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise considering not only Rousey’s status as one of the biggest names in pro wrestling but also previous rumors in the past stating that FOX wants to turn SmackDown into more of a sports-oriented show.

Though Monday Night Raw has been positioned as the ‘A’ show for WWE for years, SmackDown‘s move to FOX next year could be a major influence in WWE treating the blue brand as a more important show. With Raw getting an overwhelmingly negative reception from wrestling fans as of late, SmackDown could start bringing in more viewers considering that many find it to be a better brand. And let’s not forget that SmackDown is only two hours long, which by itself places the blue brand at an advantage compared to Raw when it comes to creative.

And with Rousey potentially ticketed for SmackDown, it raises the intriguing possibility that FOX may flex its muscles even more and ask for more top talent to switch nights. It’s going to be a very interesting next year or so for WWE fans.