The former UFC champ is WWE’s biggest mainstream star – and the company is giving her a huge push as the focal point of the women’s division.
But whereas mega pushes and dominant booking has turned fans against Roman Reigns – who fans complained hadn’t earned his place as top star – Rousey has continued to prove she’s a natural in WWE.
Rousey belongs in WWE and deserves major credit for her in-ring work so far.
Last night’s title defence was only Rousey’s fourth match on pay-per-view, after her debut just five months ago at WrestleMania.
Her Mania match – a mixed tag with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon – looked thrown together to hide any weaknesses in Rousey’s mat game.
But Rousey stole the show with her scrappy style, instinctive timing, and realistic selling.
(Indeed, it took quite a sell job to make Stephanie McMahon look like a credible opponent to the “Baddest Woman on the Planet”, but Rousey managed it.)
EVOLUTION How to watch and attend the historic WWE PPV
Expectations were low for Rousey’s match at Money in the Bank against Nia Jax – herself a limited performer – but it was an intense, hard-hitting brawl that once again stole the show.
WWE knows that there’s no woman on the roster who’s a legitimate threat to Rousey – especially after she had destroyed Alexa Bliss at SummerSlam – so Ronda was booked to go into the HIAC match with a rib injury.
It was transparent booking by WWE, but Ronda once again made it work, selling the injury to make it a competitive matchup.
While there was some complaining amongst fans about Ronda’s elevated position in the company before she’d laced up her boots, she’s wrestling any fan resentment into submission with her performances.
As a long time fan, Rousey clearly has a grasp on the grap game – and brings an unprecedented legitimacy to the women’s division.
But it’s not her dominance that’s made her such a success – it’s been her ability to show weakness and sell for her opponents, all of whom she’d easily squash in a legit contest.
The only question is: can Ronda Rousey carry the all-women’s pay-per-view Evolution next month?
A headline match with Nikki Bella is already rumoured.
And if Ronda can get a main event classic out of Nikki, she’s already a contender for the women’s division GOAT.
You can still watch WWE Hell in a Cell on the WWE Network or re-runs on Sky Sports Box Office.
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Want to watch WWE’s historic Evolution pay-per-view on October 28?
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