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INTRODUCTION
Ronda Rousey isn’t just a name, she’s a whirlwind! This woman exploded onto the combat sports scene like a rocket.
She’s the queen who ruled the UFC with an iron fist (or rather, armbar) before trading the octagon for the wrestling ring and proving she’s not a fluke in that arena too. From judo champ to MMA legend to WWE superstar.
THE JUDO PRODIGY
Can you believe Ronda Rousey was only 17 when she took the judo world by storm and became the youngest judo champ ever? Yeah, she was a judo prodigy before she even had a driver’s license!
From the start, it was obvious she was something special. Winning gold at that age is like hitting the jackpot, but way more impressive. She was already a big deal in judo, but that was just the beginning of her incredible journey.
A few years later, she was on the Olympic stage. A bronze medal? That was just a warm-up for Ronda. While most athletes would be thrilled, she was just getting started. Little did we know, she was about to shake up the sports world in a way we’d never seen before.
SHATTERING EXPECTATIONS IN THE UFC
Just over four years after her Olympic success, Rousey made history by becoming the first-ever women’s champion in UFC history.
This was a groundbreaking achievement, particularly given Dana White’s initial stance that women would never compete in the Octagon. Rousey’s sheer dominance and charismatic presence forced a seismic shift in the UFC, paving the way for women’s MMA to become a central feature of the sport.
The UFC’s landscape was forever altered, with upcoming fights like the Grasso vs. Shevchenko trilogy at UFC 306 continuing to draw global attention.
Without Rousey, it’s hard to imagine the UFC—or women’s sports more broadly—looking anything like it does today. Her incredible achievements in the Octagon set a new standard and opened doors for countless female fighters who followed in her footsteps.
THE WWE TRANSITION: A NEW ARENA
“Ronda brought the same level of ferocity and craft to her script that made her a champ in Judo, UFC, and WWE. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, you’ll cry, and you’ll thrill at the action scenes.” –@axelalonsomarv
When Rousey transitioned from the UFC to WWE, the question on everyone’s mind was whether she could revolutionize the world of professional wrestling in the same way she had MMA. Her WWE debut at WrestleMania 34 was nothing short of spectacular.
Teaming up with Kurt Angle to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a Tag Team match, Rousey showcased her judo prowess by taking down Triple H and forcing Stephanie McMahon into submission.
However, WWE is a world where charisma and persona are as crucial as in-ring ability. While Rousey’s wrestling skills were never in question, her ability to connect with the WWE audience was more complex.
Unlike her time in the UFC, where her fight promotion skills were lauded, Rousey found WWE’s scripted promos challenging.
Her struggles on the microphone were noticeable, and this sometimes caused fans to lose interest. Nonetheless, her reputation as “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” kept her relevant, ensuring that her star power remained undiminished even when her promo skills were less than appealing.
DEFINING MOMENTS IN WWE
Despite the challenges, Rousey’s WWE career was marked by significant achievements. Her rivalry with Alexa Bliss reached a historic climax at SummerSlam 2018, where she won the Raw Women’s Championship.
The feud with Becky Lynch was another highlight, with their highly anticipated match at WrestleMania 35 being a landmark moment in WWE history.
This triple-threat match, featuring Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair, was the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania—a groundbreaking event that highlighted Rousey’s impact on the sport.
Even though Rousey’s WWE tenure faced ups and downs, her influence is undeniable. Her ability to draw crowds and break barriers ensured that her WWE run would be remembered as revolutionary. Her departure from WWE, despite some criticism and personal challenges, left a lasting legacy.
REFLECTIONS ON THE VINCE MCMAHON ERA
Rousey’s time in WWE was largely under Vince McMahon’s leadership, but she recently revealed that she would have preferred to have wrestled during the current Triple H era.
In a candid conversation with Denise Salcedo, Rousey expressed a sense of missed opportunity. She noted that Triple H, who had shown belief in her from the start, has been running things differently, and she felt she might have thrived more under his leadership.
Rousey’s debut at WrestleMania 34 was a grand spectacle, and her undefeated run until WrestleMania 35 demonstrated her immense talent. Even after her return post-pregnancy, where she won the Women’s Royal Rumble 2022 and the SmackDown Women’s Championship, it was clear that she remained a formidable force in WWE.
CRITICISM AND LEGACY
Despite her success, Rousey hasn’t been shy about her criticisms of Vince McMahon, particularly amid his ongoing legal issues. She has been vocal about her dissatisfaction with his treatment of women in WWE and his alleged misconduct.
In promoting her autobiography, Our Fight, Rousey didn’t hold back, drawing comparisons between McMahon and Emperor Palpatine from Star Wars.
Even though Rousey announced her retirement due to concussions, her recent involvement in independent promotions in 2023 suggests that she might not be done with wrestling just yet.
Fans continue to hope for her return, particularly in the current Triple H era, where she might find the environment more conducive to her strengths.
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