Ronda Rousey is making some business moves as she transitions into her post-MMA wrestling career.
Rousey appeared at WWE’s Royal Rumble in Philadelphia on Sunday night to tease her debut as a full-time wrestler for the company. She was wearing a leather jacket and had a T-shirt on underneath that said “Hot Ronda!” on it. That was all part of some very conscious marketing from the WWE, as well as Rousey.
Rousey, who went by the “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey name during her MMA career, has filed for three trademarks relating to the “Rowdy Ronda Rousey” name, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.
Ronda Rousey has filed for three trademarks to "Rowdy Ronda Rousey."
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 29, 2018
The WWE was well prepared for Rousey’s debut and is already offering two different T-shirts for her at their online shop.
You can already by Ronda Rousey merch on the @WWE store pic.twitter.com/2FmiTGdE93
— Mike Dyce (@mikedyce) January 29, 2018
The shirt is in the exact same style as the late Rowdy Roddy Piper. Rousey was a huge fan of Piper and asked for his permission to use his nickname, which he granted to her. Her merchandise is a clear takeoff from that.
Rousey also said in an interview with WWE that Piper’s son had flown out to give her the leather jacket to wear for Sunday night. The jacket used to belong to Piper.
EXCLUSIVE: @RondaRousey offers her candid thoughts just moments after shocking the @WWEUniverse at @WWE #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/Ho3HOS8jo9
— WWE (@WWE) January 29, 2018
