Ronda Rousey, the name synonymous with judo excellence, stunned the world when she became the youngest judoka to win gold at the World Junior Judo Championships at just 17.

Her career-defining moment came four years later with a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But while the Olympic stage is typically the pinnacle for most athletes, Rousey had bigger plans, using her success as a launchpad to global stardom.

The UFC Queen Who Changed the Game

A little over four years after her Olympic triumph, Rousey shattered expectations by becoming the first women’s champion in UFC history. Despite Dana White’s initial stance that women would never fight in the Octagon, Rousey’s dominance forced a seismic shift in the sport. Today, women’s MMA is a cornerstone of the UFC, with upcoming bouts like the Grasso vs. Shevchenko trilogy at UFC 306 capturing the world’s attention.

Without Rousey, the landscape of the UFC—and women’s sports as a whole—would be unrecognizable. Her transition from the Octagon to WWE posed a critical question: Could she revolutionize the world of professional wrestling the way she did in MMA?

From Octagon Royalty to Wrestling Superstar

Rousey’s judo expertise was pivotal in her seamless transition to mixed martial arts and later to WWE. Her first WWE match at WrestleMania 34 alongside Kurt Angle was a spectacle, where she showcased her judo prowess by taking down Triple H and forcing Stephanie McMahon into submission. The debut wasn’t just a match—it was a statement that Rousey was here to dominate.

But her journey in WWE wasn’t just about the moves in the ring.

Ronda Rousey: The Persona That Divided the WWE Universe

In the high-octane world of WWE, charisma is king. Ronda Rousey’s wrestling abilities were never in question, but her persona struggled to resonate with the WWE audience. Unlike her time in the UFC, where her fight promotion skills were praised, Rousey found WWE’s scripted promos challenging. Her struggles on the microphone were evident, and fans often tuned out. However, her reputation as “The Baddest Woman on the Planet” kept her relevant, even when her mic skills didn’t.

Defining Matches and Moments That Made History

Rousey’s WWE tenure wasn’t without its highlights. Her rivalry with Alexa Bliss culminated in a historic win at SummerSlam 2018, where she captured the Raw Women’s Championship. But it was her feud with Becky Lynch that truly cemented her legacy. The anticipated showdown was derailed when Lynch suffered a concussion, but the eventual clash did not disappoint.

The build-up to WrestleMania saw Rousey, Lynch, and Charlotte Flair headline the first-ever women’s main event. The triple threat match, ultimately won by Lynch, was a groundbreaking moment for WWE, solidifying Rousey’s impact on the sport. To date, it remains the only time women have closed WrestleMania, a testament to Rousey’s star power.

Despite her WWE departure, Ronda Rousey’s influence on professional wrestling is undeniable. While her mic skills may have faltered, her ability to draw crowds and break barriers ensured that her WWE run will be remembered as nothing short of revolutionary. And if her recent comments are anything to go by, we may not have seen the last of the Rowdy one just yet.

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