Ronda Rousey recently surprised fans by appearing at the AEW Revolution pay per view. The former UFC champion entered the arena after Toni Storm defeated Marina Shafir in a singles match. Rousey walked to the ring and confronted Storm before leaving with Shafir through the crowd.
The moment quickly became one of the most talked about parts of the event. It also suggested that Rousey may now be starting a new chapter in professional wrestling.
However, her previous run in WWE ended in a disappointing way. While Rousey arrived in WWE with huge expectations, several creative decisions during her time there prevented her from reaching her full potential.
Here are four major mistakes that may have affected Ronda Rousey’s WWE career.
The MMA Rules Match at SummerSlam 2023
One of the biggest issues with Ronda Rousey’s WWE run was the way her final match was handled.
At SummerSlam 2023, she faced Shayna Baszler in a special MMA rules match. Baszler is one of Rousey’s real life friends and training partners, so many fans expected an intense and memorable contest.
Instead, the match lasted only a few minutes and ended with Baszler defeating Rousey by submission. The short length of the match and the unusual rules left many fans disappointed.
It also became the only time in Rousey’s WWE career where she lost by submission. Because of the lack of buildup and the quick ending, the match felt like an underwhelming conclusion to her time with the company.
WWE Never Gave Rousey a Strong Manager
Another criticism during Rousey’s WWE run was her struggle during promo segments.
While she was extremely successful in mixed martial arts, speaking on the microphone was not always her strongest area in wrestling. This made it harder for her to connect with fans during storylines.
Many fans and analysts believe WWE should have paired her with a manager. A manager could have handled most of the talking while Rousey focused on dominating opponents inside the ring.
A good example of this strategy is Brock Lesnar’s partnership with Paul Heyman. Heyman’s strong promos helped build Lesnar’s character while allowing him to focus on his destructive style in matches.
If WWE had given Rousey a similar manager, her character might have felt more powerful and intimidating.
The Rivalry With Shayna Baszler Came Too Late
Rousey and Shayna Baszler share a long history in combat sports. Because of that background, their rivalry had the potential to become one of the most interesting stories in the women’s division.
However, WWE introduced the feud very late in Rousey’s run. By the time the storyline began, fans already knew Rousey might be leaving the company soon.
This timing made it difficult for the rivalry to develop properly. Instead of building months of tension, the story moved quickly toward the final match.
If WWE had started this rivalry earlier, it could have become a major storyline with multiple matches and deeper storytelling.
Ronda Rousey Never Had a Singles Match With Becky Lynch
One of the biggest missed opportunities in WWE was the lack of a singles match between Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch.
Their rivalry started building during the road to WrestleMania 35. The event eventually featured a triple threat match between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey.
Becky Lynch won the match and became champion of both the RAW and SmackDown women’s divisions.
However, many fans still wanted to see a one on one match between Lynch and Rousey. Their rivalry had strong fan interest and could have been one of the biggest women’s matches in WWE history.
According to Rousey herself, the idea for a singles match was discussed but never happened. Looking back, this missed match remains one of the biggest creative mistakes during her WWE run.
Rousey’s Future in Wrestling
With her recent appearance in AEW, Ronda Rousey may now have a chance to create new moments in professional wrestling.
Her background as a former UFC champion still gives her a strong reputation in combat sports. If used correctly, she could bring a unique style and presence to any wrestling promotion.
Fans will now watch closely to see what role she plays in AEW and whether her new chapter in wrestling can deliver the success that many expected during her earlier career.
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