SmackDown: Charlotte Flair Jumps Ronda Backstage

We know Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair hate each other. As they say on Game of Thrones: “It is known.” There are countless examples of crap talk, dirty looks, and knocks on family, friends, skills, and histories… as well as dozens of minutes of outright violence committed upon one another to paint a pretty picture of their general disdain for one another. But tonight on SmackDown Live? Tonight was different.

After weeks of Charlotte calling Ronda a “one-trick pony” and generally talking a big game towards Ronda—despite losing in a tag match that was three arms against four, as well as ending up on the wrong end of an ankle lock—the smack talk continued. Ronda had something to say about that: “That’s like saying Mike Tyson was one trick because he only defeated people by punching them.”

“Where Charlotte sees one armbar, I see a thousand opportunities for an armbar.”

Ronda promised to honor her mentor Kurt Angle by tapping out Charlotte (again) via ankle lock. And then Charlotte came out to return the verbal volley after an overly-long entrance. It went about as you expected, with both ladies promising to kick ass at WrestleMania… and earlier, frankly, according to Ronda. If Charlotte would take off those heels. Were we about to see them fight right then and there?

Almost. Charlotte promised she’d make Ronda tap out by the end of the night. What?

Nothing happened until there were just minutes left to go in the broadcast. Backstage, as Ronda was trying to get home to Browsey Acres (a place of peace, goddammit), Charlotte jumped her and stretched the hell out of her. However, Ronda DID NOT TAP.

If tonight is any indication, WrestleMania is going to be one of the most ridiculous displays of combat sports action ever seen. And we are here for it. Let’s go to Twitter to see what the Rowdy Ones think: