Tony Khan Comments On Ronda Rousey ROH Debut + Toni Storm Regains AEW Women’s Championship
Former WWE RAW and Smackdown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey made her surprising debut for Ring Of Honor during a taping on November 17th, teaming with AEW talent Marina Shafir in a winning effort against the ROH Women’s Champion Athena and her partner Billie Starks.
During the AEW Full Gear media scrum over the weekend, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about Rousey’s status within Ring Of Honor and AEW by association:
She’s not signed but we had a great conversation. It came about, of course there was some unfinished business. They had that match [at Wrestling Revolver] and I thought it would be great for our fans to [see them] settle it in the ring.
At the Wrestling Revolver show they had the tag match, and to be honest, I had spoken to them and I thought it would be great to have a match to build some interest and have the story come back to Ring Of Honor.
Tony Khan AEW Full Gear media scrum 18/11/23
Despite not being a contracted talent, Khan expressed interest in having Rousey appear on Ring Of Honor in the future:
I thought that it would be great to see that tag team against two of the ‘Horsewomen’, that being Marina [Shafir] and Ronda Rousey. And Ronda was happy to come here. She was great, the crowd was really excited to see her and it was a great match. We’d love to have her back sometime.
It was really fun being out here, she’s a local, she lives nearby and that really helped make it possible. So any time it’s convenient, we’d love to have her back because she was tremendous and it was a great match. If people want to see it, check out ROH.
Tony Khan AEW Full Gear media scrum 18/11/23
On the Full Gear PPV, Toni Storm defeated Hikaru Shida to win the AEW Women’s Championship for the third time, the second women to do so after her opponent Shida.
AEW’s latest women’s signing, Mariah May from STARDOM, appeared to present the new champion with flowers in celebration.
Storm was noticeably absent from the media scrum, however Tony Khan presented a letter written to him explaining her absent:
Dearest Antony, Please excuse my absence at your little scrum. I had to board an aeroplane. I am going to Peter Lawford’s beach house for the weekend. Nevertheless, I am still your new AEW Women’s Champion and I expected to be lauded as such, on the Turner Broadcasting Station (Give Ted my best!) If you MUST talk about me, do be kind and don’t drink so much coffee! Forever Timeless, Toni Storm x
Toni Storm’s letter to Tony Khan
News Writer. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Lifelong fan, admirer of the old school, born in the new age. Storytelling is a big passion of mine and professional wrestling itself is just one giant book. Naturally, it drew me in and has kept me close since before I could walk, talk and drop an elbow on my teddy bear!
