WWE: Ronda Rousey Update, The Miz on Feud with Edge, Disney Signs Deal for WWE Network in Indonesia

More on Ronda Rousey’s Upcoming WWE Return

As noted before, Ronda Rousey is currently expected to be making her return to WWE soon and as early as tonight’s Royal Rumble 2022 event in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that Rousey recently signed a new contract with WWE for one year in length.

Meltzer reported that WWE officials currently have plans for Rousey to be a member of the SmackDown brand but she will also likely work a few RAW branded shows. Meltzer also reported that his sources had hinted that Rousey likely will be appearing at this Monday’s post-Royal Rumble RAW show.

In a separate report, Meltzer reported that WWE officials recently changed their WrestleMania 38 plans for Ronda Rousey. WWE reportedly originally planned for Rousey to face off against Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship despite her being a member of the SmackDown brand. Those plans reportedly were recently changed to Rousey now being planned to face off against Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship instead.

---

The Miz Comments on His Feud with Edge

A recent episode of the Cheap Heat podcast had Miz as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Miz revealing the process that led to his current feud with Edge on WWE’s RAW brand.

“I had no idea what I was going to do to come back to WWE from Dancing With The Stars. Sometimes, you’re out for a little bit and you have to figure out a way to maneuver your way back into a storyline and make people want to see you and get them excited. It kind of came about because Edge was coming back and I was like, ‘Oh, Edge is coming back, that’d be pretty amazing if he came back…’ I never get a good welcome home. It’s always, ‘Ah, Miz is here, throw him in a match or something and he’ll make it great or put him in a promo or a segment and he’ll make it great.’ With Edge, they always give Edge the pyro, the welcome homecoming. Even if he’s gone for a month. The guy was gone for a month and everyone is going nuts because he’s back. I’m gone for four months, the longest I’ve ever been gone, and I knew if I came back, fans weren’t going to light place on fire because they never do when I come back. Edge kind of said it and called me out on my stuff when he said, ‘you want to be in the main event, you knew I was going to be in the main event, you took it and rolled with it.’ Yeah, you’re kind of right, but I’m never going to admit that to thousands in attendance and millions watching at home. I’ll admit it here because no one is going to listen to this podcast.

Bruce (Prichard), I think, was the one that started the whole thing. Actually, I think it was one of the writers, it might have been Ryan Ward. I don’t honestly know how it all came about, but there was like three different ideas on who I was going to have a program with on my first return back. When Edge’s name came up, I lit up because he had only had one match before. We’ve always been on opposite shows or we were both bad guys. We never had a program or a singles match except for the one champion vs. champion match on Raw. We didn’t even work live events. This was meant to be. It was the chance to do Edge vs. Miz and make it mean something and do something that people are going to remember and talk about it. It’s been great and a lot of fun.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

---

WWE & Disney Sign Streaming Deal for WWE Network in Indonesia

WWE and the Walt Disney Company recently announced that they have signed a streaming deal for the WWE Network in Indonesia.

Official press release:

DISNEY+ HOTSTAR BECOMES EXCLUSIVE HOME TO WIDE SELECTION OF WWE NETWORK PROGRAMMING IN INDONESIA

Indonesia, January 26, 2022 – The Walt Disney Company and WWE today announced that a wide selection of WWE Network content will become exclusively available on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia, including the WWE’s premium live events.

Beginning with this weekend’s Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 30 (Indonesian time), Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia will be the destination for all WWE premium live events (including WrestleMania), as well as on-demand access to ground-breaking documentaries, reality shows and additional WWE Network archived content.

“As the home of global, regional and Indonesian hits, we’re excited to welcome the extensive library of content from WWE Network to the ever expanding slate of Disney+ Hotstar. With this new content on Disney+ Hotstar, we hope to expand our reach and engage even more audiences in Indonesia,” said Vineet Puri, General Manager, Indonesia, The Walt Disney Company.

“The Walt Disney Company has long been the gold standard in creating iconic intellectual property that serves as the backbone for international business growth,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “Partnering with Disney+ Hotstar will allow us to deliver WWE Network content including WrestleMania on a best-in-class platform to our existing fans in Indonesia while also introducing WWE to new audiences in the region as Disney+ continues to expand its reach internationally.”

Selected WWE Network content and all WWE premium live events will be available on Disney+ Hotstar as part of a standard subscription with no additional cost. Premium live event coverage will be delivered in Indonesia’s local language, Bahasa Indonesia, as well as in English.