WWE Elimination Chamber 2018: Live Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: WWE.com

Ronda Rousey Signs Her Raw Contract

Oh boy, a WWE contract signing. And this one is on pay per view! Man, there is no possible way this can go badly!

As if the producers are reading my mind, mere seconds after Kurt Angle enters the ring to preside over Rousey’s contract signing, there’s Motorhead through the PA. And out comes Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, because the biggest star ever joining WWE needs the most important people in the company in the ring at the same time.

When Papa H gets on the mic, he drops subtle references to The Elite while simultaneously deflecting the “What” chants from the crowd. He puts Rousey over as possibly the best WWE talent acquisition since Angle himself, in terms of sheer star power and prior accomplishments outside the wrestling world.

When Rousey comes down to the ring, she immediately grabs a mic, and demonstrates that she could stand a few classes at the Performance Center. It’s no “sufferin’ succotash, son,” but it wasn’t great.

After a big show of telling the world that Rousey won’t get any special treatment per her request, Triple H tells Stephanie to make things official while Angle looks uncomfortable. Turns out, Angle is spilling the beans H and Steph have a master plan to manipulate Rousey! See, it’s all payback for WrestleMania 31.

Rousey is clearly perturbed at being referred to as a “has-been” by Stephanie – allegedly. Triple H tries to defuse the situation, but he gets thrown through the table by Rousey. Stephanie slapped Rousey in retaliation, but immediately backed down once she saw the look in Ronda’s eyes. Rousey signed the contract – which also guarantees a match for her at WrestleMania.

I know this may not be a popular sentiment in all circles, but this needs to be a legit intergender tag match if they’re building to Triple H and Stephanie facing Rousey and Angle at WrestleMania. Stop this mixed tag nonsense, and just go all out. It’s fine, please. If any four could pull that off, it’s this group. DO IT, WWE.

I did enjoy actually seeing some character development for Rousey, even within this segment. Her mic skills are weak, but that can be explained by being a starstruck “fan” living out a dream. But mess with her – and look what she turns into. Ask Stephanie, she was right there! And believe it or not, this sort of pays off the whole Kurt Angle/Triple H thing from Survivor Series that never got addressed again. Kurt, much like Pepperidge Farm, remembers – and he picked a hell of a spot for payback.