Following a significant round of WWE talent releases last week, Bryan Alvarez offered some perspective on the departure of Shayna Baszler, speculating on potential future scenarios involving former UFC Champion and WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Alvarez discussed the recent cuts, which included Baszler among several other main roster and NXT talents released on May 2, 2025. Alvarez noted WWE’s potential ongoing interest in Rousey, stating, “WWE still does want to do something with Ronda Rousey.”
He then connected this to Baszler’s role in Rousey’s storyline departure from the company in 2023. “Shayna Baszler retired Ronda Rousey…” Alvarez remarked, referring to the MMA Rules match between the two former friends and training partners at WWE SummerSlam in August 2023. In that contest, Baszler defeated Rousey via technical submission after Rousey passed out in Baszler’s Kirifuda Clutch finisher. The match effectively wrote Rousey off WWE television, marking her final appearance for the company to date.
Based on this storyline history, Alvarez speculated that Baszler’s release might not be the final chapter of her WWE story, particularly if Rousey were to return. “…so, I could not say there is no chance we will ever see Shayna Baszler again,”
It is important to note that this is speculation from Alvarez based on storyline possibilities. Shayna Baszler was officially released by WWE on May 2, 2025, a move reported by Fightful Select to be surprising to some within the company. Ronda Rousey formally left WWE in October 2023 and released her second memoir, “Our Fight.”
