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"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey is the latest hot topic in the women's division of the WWE. She made her surprise entrance at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view by pointing to the WrestleMania symbol and closing the show. Many critics, like me, believe that the night should have been all about Asuka rather than the former Bantamweight Champion.
However, you just can't ignore her achievements in the octagon and tell she wasn't worthy enough to have the limelight.
She became the second Superstar to enter the WWE main roster from the UFC after Brock Lesnar. Kurt Angle recently announced that she would sign the Raw contract at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
Undoubtedly, she has created a bridge linking worlds of the UFC and WWE. However, before that, let's go down the memory lane and look at her UFC Career.
#8 Ronda Rousey vs Liz Carmouche
History was created on 22nd February 2013 as the first female fight was held and that too in the main event of UFC 157 in Anaheim, California. Ronda Rousey was announced the champion by Dana Brooke of the female Bantamweight Division. She had won her previous six MMA bouts, five of which were under a minute. The title, prestige and undefeated record, everything was on the line for the match.
Many believed that this match would have been an easy affair for her, but it was not. Carmouche had read her tactics nicely and even tried to choke her out early.
However, once she was down, the tables had turned and it became easy for the Olympic bronze medalist. Quick punches and changing her position to the armbar delivered enough blow to the "GirlRilla" to submit with just 11 seconds to go in the first round.
#7 Ronda Rousey vs Miesha Tate
Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate co-main-evented the UFC 168 show held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It also served as the coaches bout for 'The Ultimate Fighter 18.' Tate wasn't even supposed to be in the title contendership of the card after losing to Cat Zingano but got her opportunity as she suffered a knee injury.
As they had met earlier under the Strikeforce banner, they knew each other's game-plan very nicely. Ronda had won all her earlier bouts within the first round by submission and was the defending champion. The pressure again was entirely on her and her opponent had nothing to lose.
She became the first woman to last one complete round against 'The Arm Collector' but that wasn't enough to win the contest. She finally tapped out in the third round after being heavily dominated by her. What followed the match is something, to be noticed by each and every pro-wrestling fans. She had refused to shake hands with her opponent and was booed out of the building. Doesn't that already make her a good heel?
Also, the gorgeous Tate has teased following her great rival to the WWE if the chance comes by but would not want to work with Rousey. Interesting!
#6 Ronda Rousey vs Sara McMann
Ronda Rousey main-evented her second UFC pay-per-view against Sara McMann at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. As far as McMann was concerned, she was hyped as the Rousey's toughest opponent yet. But, did she live up to the hype?
Both entered the octagon as undefeated Olympic medalists and surely, history was about to be created. McMann played the underdog looking to upset her but proved to have the cutting edge missing.
A huge left knee by Rousey right to the liver crushed her to the mat and was awarded a TKO victory. This match also silenced Ronda's critics who had the belief that she lacked the striking skills to become a top UFC competitor.
With that victory, Rousey continued her path in becoming one of the most dominant UFC champions and everyone got their answer to the question asked above.
#5 Ronda Rousey vs Alexis Davis
Ronda Rousey looked forward to her fourth title defence at the Mandalay Bay Events Center again, against Alexis "Ally-Gator" Davis.
The odds were heavily against the challenger and the bout proved it unquestionably. Rousey burst out a couple of left jabs, a huge right hand, knee to the body, a ferocious judo throw and then a flurry of punches. 16 seconds and it was all over!
It looked as if Alexis couldn't believe that the fight had been over after the bout.
In her entire UFC career, Alexis had been in hard-fought matches before winning it marginally. This match just made all the UFC fans across the world realize the gap between other members of the division and "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey.
#4 Ronda Rousey vs Cat Zingano
The fans in attendance at Staples Center, Los Angeles witnessed another match of the women's bantamweight division main-eventing the show after the UFC Middleweight Championship bout had to be pulled out due to an injury of Chris Weidman in the training. They had definitely paid to see a lengthy main-event, but with Ronda Rousey in the match-up, they had to go home disappointed.
What is the reason? Well, she finished her opponent in 14 seconds improving her own record! Zingano made a crucial mistake of starting the bout with a quick knee causing a scramble and that led to Rousey immediately being on her opponent's back. We all know what comes next - The Armbar.
This match again showed the similarity between her and John Cena. You like them or hate them, they will continue to bury others.
#3 Ronda Rousey vs Bethe Correia
UFC 190, held at HSBC Arena, Rio de Janeiro, witnessed the first time ladies main-eventing a UFC pay-per-view outside the USA. Anyone who had watched the earlier two bouts of Ronda Rousey would dare to bet against her. If there were any who did, Ronda made them repent badly.
The moment the bell rung, the only bets gambling websites would have accepted were when the bout would get over. Ronda Rousey showed her aggressive side in the mat by throwing punches after punches.
After she had stood back up, Ronda planted a knee into her mid-section and a thunderous right hand to the temple. It was enough to seal the deal and Ronda continued her dominating run in the women's bantamweight division.
#2 Holly Holm vs Ronda Rousey
Australia witnessed its third UFC pay-per-view and the first time women main-eventing the night when Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey collided for the Women's Bantamweight Championship in the Etihad Stadium at Melbourne. With someone of the stature of Ronda Rousey main-eventing the show, it became the most attended event in the history of the company.
Any random UFC fan would have predicted an easy win for Rousey, but various analysts had already pointed out that Rousey's weak defense and Holm's excellent discipline in the Octagon which could make this bout a closely contested one.
In the first round, despite pressurizing Holly, it was the former professional boxer who controlled the round from the distance. However, that wasn't what had caught everyone's eyes.
Rousey managed to lock-in her signature arm bar, but Holm slipped out of the hold and returned to her feet. For those who watch only pro-wrestling, it is equivalent to someone slipping out of the Hell's Gate. After the first round, Ronda was bloodied and breathing heavily; this was also clearly the first time when Ronda had lost a round.
However, the final nail in the coffin wasn't hit. A combination of some head kicks and punches knocked out Rousey cold and led to a KO loss. The "Streak" was over. Considering her amateur and career in other MMA promotions, it read 12-1!
#1 Amanda Nunes vs Ronda Rousey
The UFC 207 revolved around the return of Ronda Rousey as it was held at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada. Returning after a one year break, it was very clear in the build-up that Rousey returned to add one more arm to her collection. However, it was never going to be easy, as in front of her was the "Lioness" Amanda Nunes.
Rousey made a mistake without rushing in and it exposed her weakness at boxing defense. As the Brazilian had the tempo, she wasted no time and poured on her punches over her. Rousey failed to defend her and she landed almost every punch to her face clean. 48 seconds - that was how long her return lasted and it was all over!
The match showed the world that Ronda wasn't in her prime and had lost her midas touch. After the bout, there were very little chances of her returning in the octagon. But, as they say, "When one door is shut, another door gets open."
In this case, the world of pro-wrestling opened for her and we just can't wait for her first match.
