Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler got a stipulation for their SummerSlam match that feels unneeded and not in line with the story that is being told.
The duo did some of their absolute best promo and storytelling work in the interview package on “Monday Night Raw” to tell the backstory and build hype for their SummerSlam match.
You can see how much this means to them.
It was raw, fierce and grounded in the story of their true friendship – making it a shame if their in-ring feud is shortlived.
With all the good that came from that, some of it was erased by a match stipulation that makes little sense and needs an explanation.
WWE announced the former UFC fighters will partake in an “MMA rules match” at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday.
Shayna BaszlerWWE
What? Why?
This story is not about who is the better MMA fighter.
That is pretty clear, well-documented and something Baszler will likely admit. Rousey is a transcendent figure, a dominant champion and a Hall of Famer in the sport – even as Baszler helped pave the way for her as a women’s MMA pioneer. A win at a wrestling event doesn’t erase all that.
What happens at SummerSlam was supposed to be and should be about Baszler proving she is the better pro wrestler than Rousey, about the Queen of Spades refusing to let her real-life best friend from taking that away from her.
“Believe it or not, I love this and you have ruined it for me,” Baszler said of pro wrestling when she first confronted Rousey after turning on her and costing them WWE women’s tag team championship. “I owe you the sobering reality that there is someone here, me, that can finally shut you up.”Two weeks ago she added: “I think you know, as well as everybody here, that when it comes to being in this ring doing what we do I’m a better Ronda Rousey than you.”
The beauty of pro wrestling is it can still be a “fight” that expresses and proves the toughness of the two competitors even without adding potential real fight rules to a scripted one.
Baszler, who went off as this feud started on building rings in the indies and needing a tryout to join WWE while Rousey debuted at WrestleMania, can prove she is both a better pro wrestler and tougher than her former tag partner by definitively pinning or submitting her in a match – not an MMA rules contest.
“I wasn’t given my opportunity here Shayna, I took it,” Rousey said in a segment two weeks ago. “And just like MMA, it took me a fraction of the time you invested before I eclipsed you yet again.”
This is about pro wrestling and WWE is taking the focus off that.
Also, what exactly do MMA rules mean?
If it’s simply that you have to beat your opponent by knockout or submission, maybe I can get behind it – even if I still it needlessly blurs the lines.
Ronda RouseyWWE
If we start pulling out timed rounds, judges cards, gloves and an octagon provided by Endeavor merge partner UFC then what were we doing here? But WWE failed to provide any of those details Monday night – likely leaving fans having to tune in Saturday to find out what “MMA rules” are all about.
Making Rousey vs. Baszler a Fight Pit match – if logistically possible – would have made a heck of a lot more sense. It remains a pro wrestling match, has a hint of cage fighting and immediately raises the level of physically you can present.
News
Cardi B Opens Up About Regretting Her BBL: “Now, I Have Offensive Odour That Made Offset Cheat On Me”
Cardi B, the renowned American vocalist and songwriter, not so far shared candid insights into her regrets related to early plastic surgery procedure familiar as Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL). In a refreshingly honest interview, she heard disappointment with the…
Cardi B Crowned Most Successful Female Rapper of All Time by Forbes: Like “a Bucket of Cold Water” to Nicki Minaj’s Fасe
In a landmark achievement for Cardi B, Forbes has officially recognized her as the most successful female rapper of all time. This accolade, awarded in Forbes’ latest rankings, marks a significant milestone in Cardi B’s career and has inevitably sparked…
Juicy J Opens Up About Meeting Cardi B: “She’s Cool as F*ck,” Hints at Future Collaboration 🤘😘😘
Juicy J, the legendary rapper and member of the influential hip-hop group Three 6 Mafia, recently shared his experiences meeting Cardi B in a candid interview, praising the rapper’s authenticity and down-to-earth nature. In his comments, Juicy J expressed enthusiasm…
BREAKING NEWS: Cardi B And Offset FINALLY Revealed Their Newborn Baby And Its Very Unique Name
The wait is over! Cardi B and Offset have officially introduced their newborn baby to the world, and with it, they’ve revealed a name that has everyone buzzing. In true Cardi B fashion, the announcement was nothing short of exciting,…
Eminem’s Heartfelt Letter To Tupac’s Mom After The Rapper’s Passing Is A Must
Eminem’s Heartfelt Letter To Tupac’s Mom After The Rapper’s Passing Is A Must The handwritten letter, which also had a sketch of Tupac made by Eminem, helped Afeni Shakur get through hard times. Iconic Tupac Shakur inspired countless artists with…
Eminem Teamed Up with Rihanna on ‘The Monster’ Because People Think She’s ‘Nuts’
Eminem Teamed Up with Rihanna on ‘The Monster’ Because People Think She’s ‘Nuts’ On one level, Eminem and Rihanna’s “The Monster” might seem like another pop-rap song for the radio. However, Eminem seemed to say the track was partly inspired…
End of content
No more pages to load