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Recent reports seem to suggest that WWE is looking for a new opponent for SmackDown Women's Champion Ronda Rousey after the suspension of Sasha Banks.
Before Banks and Naomi walked out of the arena during RAW last week, WWE's original plan reportedly called for The Boss to face off against Rousey. The duo's exit led to their indefinite suspension, and they were also stripped of their Women's Tag Team Championship.
With Banks now out of the picture, Dave Meltzer stated on the recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE is aiming to find Rousey a new opponent.
"That was never the plan [for Ronda to have a rematch against Raquel Gonzalez]. The plan was Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks. So, now they have to make a new plan. You’ve got Raquel Gonzalez, you’ve got Natalya, you’ve got Shayna." Meltzer added: "You could do Becky Lynch, but they’re not going to do Ronda Rousey – Becky Lynch. You know, Bianca Belair and Asuka are together, it’s not going to be that. So yeah, you could send Carmella or whatever. You could send Rhea Ripley," said Meltzer. [H/T Ringside News]
With WWE's next premium live event, Hell in a Cell taking place on June 5, the company will want to find a new opponent for Rousey as soon as possible. Fans will have to stay tuned to Friday Night SmackDown to see if an opponent for Rousey is announced on the show.
Ronda Rousey recently faced off against SmackDown's newest star
After defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania Backlash to win the SmackDown Women's Championship, Rousey sought to get right back into action.
On the May 13 edition of SmackDown, The Baddest Woman on the Planet issued an open challenge to any member of the roster to face off against her for the championship. Raquel Rodiguez, who won the NXT Women's Championship during her time on the developmental brand, answered the call.
Rousey went on to retain her title, but Rodriguez delivered an impressive performance that cemented her status as a bright star on SmackDown.
