It's always sweet to prove the doubters wrong, but for Ronda Rousey it was even sweeter last night.
The mixed martial artist has succeeded at everything she's put her dangerous hands to in the arena of combat sports: an Olympic bronze medalist in judo, a bantamweight champion in Strikeforce, and the first ever female to sign with the UFC, blitzing the bantamweight division during her three-year reign as the title holder.
Now when you put Ronda Rousey's name into a search engine, it doesn't automatically say she's a mixed martial artist anymore; instead it says "American professional wrestler."
Rousey made her in-ring debut at WrestleMania of all places in a mixed tag match, a much-hyped encounter -- which featured her bating the shite out of Triple H -- that received a lot of praise.
As expected, it wasn't long before Rousey was thrown into the deep end with a title shot coming her way. Although she's barely been in the profession for a hot minute, WWE could hardly keep her out of title picture considering her star power and the fact they've been pushing her hard as the baddest woman on the planet.
Anticipation and excitement for Rousey's big moment was huge, and not just for wrestling fans, but a singles match is a whole different world compared to a tag-team match featuring two established pros.
Let’s go Ronda Rousey!!! #RondavsNia #RAW #WomensChampionship #MITB @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/3q3jdqhN1K
— ?Jeremy? (@Jeremy1P1) June 18, 2018
Rousey has always had an affinity for pro-wrestling, using the moniker 'Rowdy', inspired by her admiration for WWE legend Roddy Piper. Still, questions over her ability to adapt to the squared circle, and whether her signing with Vince McMahon's company was just a glorified promotional stunt, remained.
As evidenced in her bout with Nia Jax however, she's competing at a level that no one foresaw and blowing people's minds with what she can do.
Rousey just judo-threw Nia, using her hip as the fulcrum.
Holy... #mitb
— Cultaholic (@Cultaholic) June 18, 2018
ROUSEY FROM THE TOP!#MITB pic.twitter.com/Nu4aNcO0uO
— Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) June 18, 2018
The great thing about Rousey's WWE career thus far, is that she isn't holding back. For someone so new to the sport, she appeared totally unfazed while taking big bumps.
Her name is @RondaRousey, and she was BORN READY to compete as she takes it to the #RAW #WomensChampion @NiaJaxWWE! #MITB #RondavsNia pic.twitter.com/vBVpeLHAde
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Welcome to #WWE Ronda Rousey #MITB pic.twitter.com/yVOTMXzGEq
— WWE Critics (@WWECritics) June 18, 2018
"That may be the first powerbomb @RondaRousey has ever taken" - @TheCoachrules
"Only my husband is allowed to powerbomb me" - Ronda Rousey #MITB— WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) June 18, 2018
You're not in the octagon anymore, @RondaRousey... #MITB #RondavsNia pic.twitter.com/k57esdf9pJ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Even when things didn't go 100% to plan, she rolled with the punches and came through it like a pro.
Rousey LEGIT FALLS Out Of The Ring! #MITB pic.twitter.com/Qo7hpKMYs6
— Brian The Guppie (@briantheguppie) June 18, 2018
I'm pretty sure Rousey falling out of the ring was a botch, but that was still a nice sell LOL #MITB
— Marc Maravillas (@marcmaravillas) June 18, 2018
The online reaction was extremely positive, with many viewers praising her seamless in-ring work and ability to sell the knocks and bumps with aplomb.
Ronda Rousey is one of the best sellers I think I’ve ever seen in a pro-wrestling ring. There’s no inaccuracies. Everything looks real. Perfect fit.
— Glen Joseph (@Glen_Joseph) June 18, 2018
Admit when you’re wrong, kids ... Like me and my original opinion that Ronda Rousey would be HORRIBLE in the WWE
I ... was ... wrong #WWE #MITB pic.twitter.com/JMV3XTrYvx
— Troy Hughes™ (@TommySledge) June 18, 2018
It's so funny and cool how Rousey is already a good wrestler #MITB
— Jack G. King (@JackTheJobber) June 18, 2018
Ronda Rousey is my MVP of the night so far. And I know that's a bold call given how good the women's ladder match was and the fact that Nakamura vs. Styles was arguably the best main roster match this year.
— Daily DDT (@FanSidedDDT) June 18, 2018
Ronda Rousey is so brilliant... So much strength, power, athleticism and flexibility. If she improves her promos and works hard on her mic skills she can become the biggest female legend in WWE history #MITB
— Konstantinos Lianos (@LianosKostas) June 18, 2018
Spoiler Alert
Rousey was attempting to become the first wrestler in four years to win the Women's Championship in her singles match debut, but it wasn't to be.
Alexa Bliss, who had pipped Dubliner Becky Lynch and six other women in the Money In The Bank ladder match earlier that night, cashed in her title opportunity after attacking Rousey and Jax just as the former was on the verge of winning the match with her patented armbar.
Twisted bliss in slo-mo? @AlexaBliss_WWE #MITB pic.twitter.com/EJgNyBo1w2
— Victor (@GuyInGreenWWE) June 18, 2018
Ronda Rousey is fucking fantastic and HOLY FUCK ALEXA BLISS. #MITB
— Adam Pacitti (@adampacitti) June 18, 2018
Aside from the Alexa cash in.
Its insane that the Nia / Ronda match was arguably the best of Nia’s career so far.
Absolutely stunned at how actually good Rousey is becoming in such a super short period. #MITB
— Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) June 18, 2018
Alexa Bliss just ruined a great championship match between Rousey and Jax.
Ultimate heel. #MITB #WWE pic.twitter.com/MNZ1wWGoRM
— The Golden Maharaja™ (@KingNj90) June 18, 2018
The performance of Nia Jax shouldn't be forgotten in all of this either. The reigning champion going into Sunday night's encounter, she has become one of the best performers on the roster over the last year. Orchestrating the match on Sunday night, Jax ensured a smooth singles debut for the former UFC champion.
Given how well she has started though, who knows hor far Ronda Rousey can take her WWE career.
Main image via Shutterstock.
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