There have been Superstars who attempted to fight and fighters who attempted to be Superstars. There is, however, only one Ronda Rousey.
This contemporary icon has blazed a trail through mixed-martial arts, beginning with a bronze medal performance in judo at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and, most importantly, continuing with a record-breaking rip through UFC as the company’s first female participant.
Rousey was declared the first-ever UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion upon her debut, owing to her status as the Strike force Women’s Bantamweight Champion before that promotion was absorbed by the UFC. It’s no surprise that she’ll be the first woman elected into the UFC Hall of Fame in July of 2018.
With the permission of the late Roddy Piper, Ronda Rousey dubbed herself “Rowdy” and began on a brutal unbeaten streak that saw her submit opponents in seconds through her famous armbar. Along the way, she acquired the sports-entertainment itch, sharing the ring with The Rock and The Authority at WrestleMania 31.
Since then, whispers of a WWE crossover have lingered at virtually every turn, though it looked like a pipe dream that would remain just that… until Royal Rumble 2018, when Rousey came wearing Piper’s distinctive leather jacket.
Ronda Rousey named as Rowdy – The Baldest women on the Planet
Ronda Rousey nicknamed herself “Rowdy” with the consent of the late Roddy Piper and embarked on a ruthless undefeated streak that saw her submit opponents in seconds through her legendary armbar. Along the process, she developed a taste for sports entertainment, appearing in the ring with The Rock and The Authority at WrestleMania 31.
Since then, rumors of a WWE crossover have persisted at almost every turn, though it appeared to be a pipe dream that would remain just that… until Royal Rumble 2018, when Rousey appeared in Piper’s signature leather jacket.
This domination propelled Rousey to the main event of WrestleMania 35, where she competed in a Winner Take All Match against Becky Lynch and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
Rousey lost her first WWE pinfall when Lynch got the 1-2-3, but her influence and significance in participating in the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania was undeniable.
WWE WrestleMania 38 Results: Charlotte Flair Stuns Ronda Rousey To Retain Title
Charlotte Flair retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship, handing Ronda Rousey her second pinfall loss in WWE.
Ronda Rousey felt she had the bout won when referee Charles Robinson called off a three-count owing to Charlotte putting her foot on the rope. Robinson failed to tap out Charlotte after a ref bump. Charlotte responded with a kick to the face, stunning the much favored Rousey and won the contest as a +425 underdog.
The Baddest Woman on the Planet returned from a sabbatical on January 29, 2022, to win the Royal Rumble Match and earn the chance to face the Women’s Champion of her choice at WrestleMania. She faced SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania but lost in an ‘I Quit’ Match at WrestleMania Backlash to win her first SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Ronda Rousey-Charlotte Flair Build Fell Flat
WWE’s business has benefited from Ronda Rousey’s comeback, with viewership and ticket sales increasing every time the former UFC megastar is marketed. And, although Rousey and Charlotte were spectacular in the buildup to their previous WrestleMania 35 bout, that spark was simply missing in the buildup to their singles match.
Much to WrestleMania 35, many fans wanted the one-on-one match between Rousey and Becky Lynch that they expected to see in 2019.
Rousey and Charlotte’s storyline was a simple battle of words, with Rousey adding a couple new submission holds to prove she isn’t a one-trick pony. It was a far cry from the fiery promos and violent backstage brawls that characterized the build to WrestleMania 35.
Aside from the poor build, if the battle itself was anything like their previous one-on-one match at Survivor Series 2018, fans were in for a treat.