After being a dominant force in WWE’s Women’s Division for much of 2022, Ronda Rousey had an unfortunate end to the year when Charlotte Flair returned to defeat her for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
On the December 30th edition of SmackDown, Rousey defended the title against Raquel Rodriguez after feuding with the former NXT Women’s Champion for a number of weeks. Heading into the match with an injured arm (in-storyline) Rodriguez pushed the champion to the limit and beyond, but was ultimately forced to submit following an Arm Bar.
However, Ronda Rousey didn’t celebrate for long as seconds after the victory, Charlotte Flair made her way to the ring for the first time in seven months to the shock of the crowd.
Rousey said that she would face Flair at the Royal Rumble, but the returning star had other ideas, challenging Rousey to a match on the spot.
Rousey reluctantly accepted but was defeated in less than a minute. After surviving a big boot, Rousey got hit with a Spear, but turned it into an Arm Bar. However, Flair reversed into a pin to win the title.
Teddy Long believes Ronda Rousey doesn’t care about pro wrestling
Longtime Referee, Manager, and SmackDown GM Teddy Long was quite happy to see Ronda Rousey lose the title as he doesn’t believe she cares about the pro wrestling business.
Speaking on SportsKeeda’s One On One podcast, Long explained he thinks The Baddest Woman On The Planet doesn’t take wrestling seriously.
“I don’t think she cares anything about our business. I don’t think she takes professional wrestling serious. I think with her, it’s all about Ronda Rousey, you know? She’s one of the people I think would go into business for themselves.”
On the other hand, Long had nothing but praise for Charlotte Flair, saying the belt “belongs” around her waist.
“Congratulations to Charlotte Flair, you know, she’s a great athlete. I’ve watched her, you know, working over the years and she’s done a tremendous job.
“She’s come a long way in a short time … I think the belt certainly belongs around Charlotte Flair’s waist and not Ronda Rousey’s.
Teddy Long finished by saying he simply doesn’t see Ronda Rousey as a “wrestling person”.
“Nothing against Ronda Rousey, you know what I mean, she’s not, she ain’t, she’s just not a wrestling person to me.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the above transcription.