Charlotte Flair is back and standing at the top of the SmackDown Women’s division, but what does that mean for Ronda Rousey?
Heading into the December 30th edition of SmackDown things were looking pretty good for the former UFC star. While she had a SmackDown Women’s Title defence scheduled against Raquel Rodriguez, her rival was injured and Rousey had Shayna Baszler at ringside if required. Even after her match with Rodriquez things were still very much on track. Although the former NXT Women’s Champion had pushed Rousey harder than she would have liked, she was still champion.
Enter Charlotte Flair. The Queen hadn’t been seen on WWE television since being defeated by Rousey at WrestleMania Backlash, but quickly made her presence felt. Flair immediately laid down a challenge for the title and Rousey accepted. Less than a minute later Flair was celebrating another championship while Rousey was left to pick up the pieces after the shock defeat.
Report Claims Ronda Rousey Isn’t Going Anywhere
Following the show a report from PWInsider have now offered an update on the future’s of both women. With regard to Flair she is listed internally as a babyface, despite spending most of her career as a heel.
As for Ronda Rousey, contrary to speculation the loss wasn’t a way of writing her off television and she remains advertised for a number of upcoming events. There is a plan for the now former Champion at the Royal Rumble, and she won’t be taking a break from the ring. The report adds that Rousey is still very much “in the mix.”
Despite winning the women’s Royal Rumble and the SmackDown Women’s Championship twice, Ronda Rousey came in for significant criticism from fans during 2022. Sections of the WWE fanbase claimed that Rousey didn’t care about wrestling and wasn’t delivering in the ring, something which came to a head after a high-profile botch at Survivor Series. “Fire Ronda Rousey” trended on social media for two days after the event, as the backlash increased. Following her defeat on SmackDown, Rousey addressed her critics claiming that they can’t do what she does.