Ronda Rousey out to prove the critics wrong at WrestleMania 34

Former UFC champion 'Rowdy' Ronda Rousey is a mere two weeks away from making her professional wrestling debut at WrestleMania 34 event in New Orleans.

The 31-year-old shocked the mixed martial arts (MMA) world in January when she appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and signed a long-term contract; potentially ending her combat sports career.

Rousey went in head first, finding herself embroiled in a storyline involving WWE's power couple, Stephanie McMahon and her on camera, off camera husband Triple H.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medallist now finds herself booked in a tag team feature bout against the authority figures, when she teams up with Olympic wrestling champion Kurt Angle at WrestleMania on April 1.

Ronda Rousey out to prove the critics wrong at WrestleMania 34
Photo credit: wwe.com
The four WrestleMania opponents get into it on WWE programming.
The four WrestleMania opponents get into it on WWE programming. Photo credit: wwe.com

Rousey has thrown herself into training, going non-stop to prove doubters wrong that believe her transition from MMA is a mistake.

"It's not like I even have to motivate myself," Rousey told WWE.com.

"I'm genuinely excited about everything I have to do for the day.

"The training here is gruelling. Gruelling is the adjective I would use."

That line alone would surprise many given Rousey's past life in the Octagon.

The Californian won her first 12 pro fights, all via stoppage before a two-fight losing skid had her contemplating retirement.

But training for a fight is very different than training to perform at a high pace in front of 75,000 wrestling fans sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for you to make a mistake.

Rousey has been a lifelong fan of WWE, taking on the nickname of one of the all-time greats, the late Rowdy Roddy Piper, for her fighting career.

Rousey is determined to honour her fallen friend and is confident she will perform over and above the expectations of the wrestling public.

"Everything I have has been trained to hurt people and I am thriving in this environment," Rousey said.

"I really think I am going to surprise a lot of people and exceeded all expectations and do it all with a smile on my face."

WrestleMania 34 will screen live on Sky Arena and is available on the WWE Network on April 9.

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