The news is out that the WWE has plans to turn its latest former UFC champion into a next-level star. Ronda Rousey makes waves wherever she goes, and Triple H is keen to capitalise on her charisma by building her up as a “big’¯Brock Lesnar’¯star.”
Championship Reign’¯’¯
Rousey famously joined the WWE full-time in 2017 after blazing a trail for Women’s MMA in the global MMA promotion UFC.
Originally a member of the Four Horsewomen, alongside Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, Rousey’s growing popularity among fans made her a shoo-in for an appearance at Royal Rumble 2018.’¯’¯
After making her debut at Wrestlemania 34 that March, Rousey drew critical acclaim, with Jim Cornette even saying it was “the greatest debut ever” in the wrestling promotion. Come the summer, she made short work of then-current champion Alexa Bliss and claimed the RAW Women’s belt for her own.’¯’¯
Incredibly, Rousey kept hold of the title for a stunning 231 days ’“ the longest RAW women’s champion reign in the history of the WWE until that point.’¯’¯
From Face to Heel’¯
Despite seemingly retiring at the end of 2018, Rousey made a surprise return at this year’s Royal Rumble, where she emerged as a face. Eliminating reigning champion Charlotte Flair, Rousey earned a chance to regain her former title at Wrestlemania 38 but was eventually kept at bay by Flair. However, she did’¯momentarily hold it from May to June before Liv Morgan claimed the belt at SummerSlam.’¯’¯Â
And so began Ronda Rousey’s descent into heel territory. For the past few months, she’s been running foul of the promotion’s rules and regulations, even leading to a kayfabe suspension. And it seems that Ronda’s bad behaviour has given the powers that be some inspiration for where to take her during 2023.’¯’¯
Ronda Rousey – An MMA Titan’¯
Ronda Rousey is, without a doubt, a titan of MMA, and she has all the goods to be the same in pro wrestling. She was one of the most explosive fighters, male or female, in the UFC, finishing her opponents with her deadly armbar within seconds.’¯’¯
It’s easy to see Rousey as a suitable contemporary to Brock Lesnar. After all, the pair have plenty in common: Rousey’s signing to the UFC literally changed the game for women’s MMA, and she remains one of the promotion’s most iconic fighters of all time. Lesnar, meanwhile, is still considered one of’¯ the most dominant heavyweights’¯to have ever fought in Dana White’s stable.’¯’¯
Heck, the Baddest Woman on the Planet has pretty much admitted herself that she’d rather come in on guest appearances to make an impact and cause chaos in the ring. During a recent’¯gaming stream, Rousey discussed how much she’s enjoying not “having all my stories be dependent on the title and just having more storylines out there for the women.”
As she astutely summarised, male WWE fighters get ample opportunities for non-title storylines, and it’s about time the women did too.’¯’¯
Even more significant for Ronda Rousey is the fact that her hero and namesake, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, didn’t need official titles “to make him great” – a direct contrast to Lesnar’s run in wrestling, which has been very title dominant.’¯’¯
Speaking of the mountain of flesh, rumours are flying around that he’ll be facing none other than Bobby Lashley upon his return to the ring. The two memorably clashed back at the Royal Rumble in January this year, when Lashley emerged the victor (thanks to some assistance from Paul Heyman).’¯’¯Â
According to Xero News, an “early plan to get Lesnar in for Saudi” has been leaked. While Lashley is the current United States Champion, he hasn’t been involved in any major storylines since his title bout against Austin Theory. Pitting these two powerhouses against each other would certainly make the year go out with a bang.’¯’¯
