Ronda Rousey Wins RAW In-Ring Debut

After multiple high profile pay-per-views matches, showdowns with the Authority, and feuds with champions, Ronda Rousey finally competed in her first televised one-on-one pro wrestling match, on Monday Night RAW. She faced off against Alicia Fox—WWE’s longest-tenured female performer and a former Divas Champion—defeating her by submission in the show’s main event. Rousey then called out RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss about their upcoming title match at SummerSlam.

WWE named Rousey’s debut their number one RAW moment for August 6, 2018.

Though this was her first match on the company’s flagship show, Rousey had taken on high-profile opponents on WWE programming before. When she helped the Rock take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in 2015, many fans wondered if she’d make the transition from MMA to pro wrestling. They got their answer when Rousey appeared at the 2018 Royal Rumble to stare down the roster’s most dominant women: champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, and Royal Rumble winner Asuka. Rousey then had her debut match—a mixed tag team match in which she and Kurt Angle defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon—at WrestleMania 34.

She could have gone on to become RAW Women’s Champion before even competing on RAW, but her title match with Nia Jax at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view ended in a disqualification after interference by Bliss. When Rousey attacked Bliss the following night on RAW, she was suspended by General Manager Kurt Angle, and both her live TV wrestling debut and her revenge on Bliss were delayed.

Angle granted Rousey a championship match against Bliss at SummerSlam if she honored her suspension, but fans were still left wondering when they would see the UFC Hall of Famer wrestle on RAW. This question was answered when, on July 30,  Rousey supported her friend—former SmackDown Women’s and Divas Champion—Natalya by being present at ringside during her match against Alicia Fox… who was backed up by Alexa Bliss. Bliss’ interference led Fox to win the match. Rousey chased down both underhanded women to avenge her friend, but Bliss and Fox got the best of her that night. However, Rousey was given the chance to settle the score against Fox the next week on RAW.

On August 6, Rousey made short work of Fox and reminded fans and other wrestlers that she shouldn’t be messed with. With Natalya at ringside to prevent any shenanigans from Bliss, Rousey dominated Fox in the ring and quickly tapped her out with an armbar. Fans were left excited to see Rousey wrestle again, and Bliss left the arena looked afraid for her title and her arms.