WWE SummerSlam 2023 showcased a unique bout that had fans sitting on their hands: Ronda Rousey vs. Shayna Baszler in an MMA rules match.
The stakes were high, and the rules were clear – victory could only be achieved through knockout or submission.
The match concluded with Shayna Baszler emerging victorious, choking out Rousey after an ‘intense’ seven minutes of worked-MMA action.
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WWE MMA Rules Match: Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
However, what many might not know is the backstage drama that surrounded this match. Dave Meltzer recently shed light on the creative differences that plagued the bout on Wrestling Observer Radio.
According to Meltzer, the visions of Rousey and Baszler for the match clashed with what WWE had in mind.
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Differing Visions
Rousey and Baszler, both with strong MMA backgrounds, had a specific idea of how the match should unfold.
Their vision was rooted in the authenticity of MMA fights. On the other hand, WWE’s creative team had a different perspective, possibly aiming for a more theatrical presentation.
Meltzer pointed out the inconsistency in the match’s portrayal, noting that in real MMA fights, there aren’t any knockdowns followed by ten counts. This difference in approach seemed to have affected the overall quality and reception of the match.
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The Impact of Creative Differences
The clash of ideas between the wrestlers and the creative team is not a new phenomenon in WWE. However, when such differences arise in high-profile matches like Rousey vs. Baszler, the impact is more profound.
The match had the potential to be a classic, but the creative differences might have hindered it from reaching anything beyond the plodding bout we actually saw.
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