Teal Piper has lifted the lid on the why Ronda Rousey was seen training in recent weeks and just what ‘The Baddest Woman On The Planet’ was doing in the ring.
‘Rowdy’ Ronda Rousey has been spotted training in a wrestling ring several times over the last few months with speculation stating that she was preparing for an in-ring return. First, she was sighted going through the motions with best friend Natalya, before locking up with IMPACT Wrestling star, James Storm, as 2020 came to a close.
Now, the former WWE Raw Women’s Champion has been seen tangling with Teal Piper – the daughter of Roddy Piper and wrestler in her own right – in order to help the star overcome her knee injury. Of course, the pair are close friends stemming from Roddy Piper being Rousey’s idol with the family even gifting Ronda Roddy’s actual leather jacket which she wore to the ring at WrestleMania 34.
Joining The Wrestling Inc. Daily Podcast, Piper talked about her time with Ronda as well as their friendship and how the star helped Tea’s partner pick out an engagement ring:
“She planned with him about this engagement because I had no clue that it was coming. Completely, I had no idea. They were picking out rings and all sorts of stuff. She told me when I sent her the picture. I was like, ‘We got engaged!’ She goes, ‘Girl, make sure you turn that ring around if you’re gonna punch somebody.'”
Piper was then questioned about her recent training sessions with Rousey:
“Yeah, that’s obviously how I came in contact with her,” Piper stated. “I was out in LA with him. She had moved out to LA. We started just talking after my knee was recovering. She had gone through many ACL knee surgeries, so she was discussing working on other things during my healing process. We were just wanting all to get in the ring get some dust off of us and train, so we found the one ring in LA that we could find. You got to keep at it.”
With Royal Rumble season in full flow, there have been many reports that state Ronda Rousey is ready for a WWE return with Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter stating that the talent is forefront of Vince McMahon’s plans as he looks to a bout with Becky Lynch for WrestleMania 37.
Teal Piper was asked about a potential return for her best friend, but was unable to shed any new light on the submission artist’s plans for the future:
“I can’t speak on Ronda’s behalf. You’d have to ask her, but she’s always been an athlete, and athletes like to train no matter what, so even if she has something major or just, you know, wants to keep in shape, who knows, but that’s a question for her.”
Regardless of Rousey and those around her remaining tight lipped, ‘The Baddest Women On The Planet’ is tipped as one of the favourites to triumph in the 30-Woman Royal Rumble Match on January 31 after being out of action – trying to start a family – since WrestleMania 35.
Credit for the interview and transcription: The Wrestling Inc. Daily Podcast