Ronda Rousey Makes an Impact at WWE Elimination Chamber

Ronda Rousey came to the Elimination Chamber and left The Game on his back. The former UFC Bantamweight champion entered a WWE ring on Feb. 25 in a moment that fans around the world have been waiting for.

She was sporting a fitted leather jacket and her “Rowdy” t-shirt, in her ongoing tribute to the late Roddy Piper. Her hero’s presence was indeed felt when Rousey stepped through the ropes and took matters into her own hands.

The spot started off with somewhat of a mixed reaction from the Las Vegas crowd. It was the same crowd that took a nap during Matt Hardy versus Bray Wyatt. That crowd also threw shade at The Bar versus Titus Worldwide.

This crowd was out for blood and more importantly, it was ready to hate Ronda Rousey. But when Triple H and Stephanie McMahon gave her the chance to talk, Rousey immediately disarmed the audience. It was surely not what anyone expected.

She was humble. She was appreciative. But above it all, she was human. This was not the ice cold killer that fans remembered from the UFC. It was also not the media darling that loved the red carpet as much as it loved her.

This was a WWE fan. This was a big kid. She was honored to be in the ring. Ronda Rousey grew up loving the business. This was her dream. It was also the first time she had the opportunity to tell the fans just how much she truly wanted to be in front of them.

Hunter pointed out that Rousey didn’t want preferential treatment and that she had not asked for anything extra in her contract. Rousey just wanted to earn her spot and that was something fans immediately applauded. The fact that she didn’t yell into the mic, forcing the crowd to listen, only added to the moment.

Everything was going just fine. Better than expected. However when Raw General Manager Kurt Angle revealed that Stephanie and Triple H wanted to sign Rousey just to control her, the mood suddenly changed. Rousey had embarrassed The Authority at WrestleMania 31 and WWE’s first family never forgot it.

Angle went on to tell Rousey that Stephanie considered her to be a has-been. Stephanie even believed that she could take Rousey in a one-on-one confrontation. As fans listened, Rousey’s expression began to change.

The smile disappeared. The tears disappeared. The humbled performer that spoke just minutes earlier had vanished. In her place was Ronda Rousey the war machine, the woman that steamrolled her way through the UFC.

But instead of taking Stephanie down, Rousey instead grabbed Triple H and put him through the contract table. Stephanie slapped Rousey after the fact but once she caught a glimpse of Rousey’s ice-cold stare, she doubled back and left the ring.

The crowd roared its approval. This was exactly what WWE had to do for Rousey and the spot worked on every level. Now everything has changed. Rousey would likely have to work heel because of how she would be received. Now she’s a babyface.

She was an entitled athlete that had no business in WWE. Now the fans want her. She was an outsider. Now she is one of them. In a world where every single moment is overproduced and over-hyped, this is one in which every second feels real. Fans knew it was a work but that did not matter.

They became lost in the moment. This was WWE at its finest and now it’s up to the company to book Rousey the right way. She will appear on the February 26 edition of Monday Night Raw. She should become a target of The Authority, who will stack the deck against her at every turn.

Ronda Rousey should receive the same treatment of every protagonist that ever dared to cross WWE’s ruling class. This is the only way fans will continue to side with her and it’s the best way to feature her from this point on.

Next: Elimination Chamber 2018 Final Review And Analysis

Fans may not have thought of Rousey as a great babyface but that’s exactly what she should become. When she and Charlotte Flair eventually cross paths, it’s Rousey who will be the hero. Rousey does indeed have a long road ahead. She also has a lot of work to do.

But if this contract signing is any indication, then she is definitely heading in the right direction.