She won the Raw women’s title at Summerslam
When Ronda Rousey announced she was becoming a full-time WWE wrestler, it raised a few eyebrows. She hadn’t fought in UFC since losing to Amanda Nunes in just 48 seconds in December 2016.
So far though, her sports entertainment career has been far more successful (probably because it is predetermined, but still). She made her surprise first appearance after the Women’s Royal Rumble in January, and had her in-ring debut tagging with Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a barn-storming match at Wrestlemania.
On Sunday night, she defeated WWE Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss at Summerslam 2018, to secure the title, tapping Bliss out to an armbar in under five minutes. She then celebrated in the ring with her husband, fellow MMA fighter Travis Browne, and Natalya. The Bella Twins, Nikki and Brie, then came out to celebrate as well, for some reason.
The @BellaTwins have joined the celebration for @RondaRousey at #SummerSlam! #RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/L0XcZzJKP7
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2018
Rousey previously had a title shot, in only her second televised match, against then-champion Nia Jax at the Money In The Bank PPV in June – that match however end in DQ after Alexa Bliss interfered, and then cashed in her the Money In The Bank contract she’d won early in the night to nab the title for herself.
A fighter…
…for change
…for women
…for the future.
Congratulations to @RondaRousey on becoming the NEW #Raw Women’s Champion. #SummerSlam #BaddestWomanOnThePlanet pic.twitter.com/rFHBDQ7Hg9— Triple H (@TripleH) August 20, 2018
Before entering WWE, Rousey had been one of the most dominant women in the history of MMA, and was the first to really push it in the mainstream. She was unbeaten with a 12-0 record, but had a shock second round loss to Holy Holm in November 2015 at UFC 193. She wouldn’t fight again for over a year, eventually returning at UFC 207, only to lose to Amanda Nunes.
A lifelong professional wrestling fan, who took her ‘Rowdy’ nickname from the legendary Roddy Piper, rumours of Rousey making the move into sports entertainment had been circulating for years until she finally signed a contract with WWE and made her debut.
