At Survivor Series Ronda Rousey defeated Shotzi to retain her SmackDown Women’s Title with a little help from Shayna Baszler at ringside. While most expected Rousey to retain her title, the biggest story involving the match arguably took place backstage.
Following the event it emerged that Brian Kendrick had been working backstage, and more specifically as a producer for Rousey’s match alongside Jason Jordan. This marked the first time that Kendrick had been involved in wrestling on such a scale after his planned AEW debut was scrapped back in February after “abhorrent and offensive” comments he made a decade earlier resurfaced.
At the time Kendrick discussed a number of conspiracy theories involving the Illuminati, Jews and Zionists. He has also previously made comments regarding conspiracies surrounding 9/11, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as well as holding controversial views on the Holocaust.
Ronda Rousey Asked For Brian Kendrick
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has now revealed that it was Rousey who asked for Kendrick to be brought in. The controversial former Cruiserweight Champion was one of her original trainers. Interestingly, Meltzer added that Kendrick’s involvement wasn’t a try-out, and was more because Rousey asked for him to help her.
“What happened was, Brian Kendrick was Ronda Rousey’s original wrestling trainer, and she suggested, she asked, for him to be brought in for her match with Shotzi. So he was in on Saturday, and it was not a hire.”
“You could say it was a tryout, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t a tryout, but it really wasn’t like a normal tryout. It was more Ronda Rousey asked for him to help her.”
“Jason Jordan also produced it, but she asked for Brian to be brought in, so they brought him in.”
Prior to his planned move to AEW, Brian Kendrick had been working in numerous roles with WWE, both on-screen and as a coach and producer, however he was released by the company on February 1st.
H/t to Wrestle Talk