RAW: The Ronda Rousey Championship Open Challenge, Take Two
After last night’s grueling Survivor Series match—and the even more intense beating by Charlotte Flair after the fact—a bruised Ronda Rousey came out to speak to the WWE Universe and let them in on a few things. Naturally, they preferred to chant “BECKY” and “WE WANT BECKY” during this time… especially when Rousey informed them that she’ll be defending her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at the TLC pay-per-view in four weeks. Now, of course, Rousey knows how dangerous Nia is: “I mean, just look at what she did to Becky’s face.”
But Rousey promised she will tap Nia out at TLC. And then she promised that, after that, it’s on to “the next chapter of Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair.” According to Rousey, that competition—if you even still want to call it that—is far from over.
“We’re going to finish what we started last night.”
But the thing is, Rousey didn’t just come here to talk, she came to show the WWE Universe what it means to be “a true champion.”
“You have to be the best in the world on your worst day.”
And everything Rousey said after this, the WWE Universe was able to read between the lines: Again, the chants of “BECKY” said as much. Rousey eventually removed her jacket to reveal her cuts and bruises from last night, letting everyone know that this just so happens to be her on her worst day. And even on her worst day, she was choosing to call for an open challenge (which would hopefully go better than the first); because if she can’t defend the championship on her worst day, then she’ll know she doesn’t deserve to be champion at all.
Unfortunately, instead of a female Superstar, Baron Corbin came out. Definitely not to answer the open challenge but instead to deny Rousey’s request to defend her championship right there on Monday Night RAW. In fact, he said he couldn’t “in good conscience” let her compete after the damage done at Survivor Series
After the commercial, Mickie James—the six-time WWE Women’s Champion—came out to challenge the champ (as well as anyone who’s ever said it’s impossible to make an all-denim ensemble look amazing). Rousey immediately attempted to take out her frustrations on Mickie with a series of rapid-fire strikes, but she must’ve forgotten that Mickie’s got her fair share of frustrations too—wouldn’t you if you still weren’t getting the respect you deserved as a living wrestling legend?—as evidenced by the kicks she soon hit Rousey with.
But while Mickie was able to get some temporary control and even trash talk Rousey, an angrier Rousey simply hit her with three Piper’s Pits before locking in the armbar. And after that, it was all over.
Post-match, Nia Jax and Tamina came out to play some mind games—with Nia just showing off her “Facebreaker” fist—before the duo returned to the back. It truly never ends when you’re the champ.