Ronda Rousey allegedly volunteered to drop the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Liv Morgan, something that Booker T has commended her for.
At WWE Money in the Bank, Ronda Rousey was successful in her SmackDown Women’s Championship defence against Natalya. However, a visibly-beaten Rousey was taken advantage of by Liv Morgan, as the 2022 Miss Money in the Bank used her opportunity to capture the blue brand championship.
The title switch has been praised since, with many viewing Liv Morgan as one of the top WWE Superstars today. However, this reportedly wasn’t WWE’s original plan. The idea to put the title on Morgan allegedly came directly from Ronda Rousey.
As was revealed by Rousey’s personal photographer, Rousey volunteered to drop the championship to Morgan. ‘The Baddest Woman on the Planet’ has since received plaudits for this, including from Booker T. The former World Heavyweight Champion discussed Ronda’s choice on his Hall of Fame podcast:
“If that’s true, I commend Ronda Rousey. I’m going to step up for Ronda Rousey if she was that unselfish to do something like that. It just goes to show how big she is as well as how big of a team player she is to want to bring someone like Liv Morgan up cause she knows she’s already in a position, she’s made already.
But to say, ‘Hey, let’s make Liv Morgan tonight and I’m willing to do it and I’m willing to sacrifice for that.’ I can’t do nothing but give Ronda Rousey a pat on the back for, there again, knowing about the business.”
Liv Morgan won the SmackDown Women’s Championship, the first title of her career, by rolling up Ronda Rousey in just 32 seconds during WWE’s latest visit to Paradise, Nevada. The majority of the cash-in opportunity had been spent with Liv trapped in an ankle lock.
Ronda Rousey had returned to WWE as the surprise 28th entrant in the women’s Royal Rumble match, ultimately winning and setting her sights on the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Rousey would defeat Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania Backlash, retaining the title for 55 days.