Since returning to WWE at the 2022 Royal Rumble, Ronda Rousey has come in for heavy criticism for her performances and on-screen presentation.
For much of the year Rousey was positioned as a fan favourite, despite often receiving a mixed reception from live crowds. However, this finally changed during her rivalry with Liv Morgan, which saw the pair trade the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Money In The Bank to Extreme Rules.
Dutch Mantell Critical Of Ronda Rousey’s Presentation
Speaking back in August, Dutch Mantell was highly critical of Rousey’s presentation calling on the star to show her “unpleasant” side. The veteran said that Rousey switching between being a fan favourite on the way to the ring, and being more of a badass while wrestling was confusing for fans.
“See, Ronda Rousey is the baddest woman on the planet. See creative told her to go to the ring smiling, that is not her character. She should be just mad at the people and sullen… You gotta dislike her from the moment she comes out if she’s a heel.
But if she’s smiling and slapping little kids’ hands. Well, she’s not that bad. Then she gets in the ring and she goes and changes. She advances to the mean Ronda. Well, you need to show that character from the entrance back to the entrance because if you don’t, you’re confusing the fans. That would help a lot because you make decisions like that and every second you see her walking… She looks like a very unpleasant woman. Just looking at her you don’t think she’d be friendly and she’s probably not.”
Ronda Rousey regained the SmackDown Women’s Title from Liv Morgan at Extreme Rules and has since retained the gold with a win over Shotzi. Rousey will be back in action on the December 30th episode of SmackDown when she defends her title against Raquel Rodriguez.
H/t to Essentially Sports