WWE Raw: How Will Fans React To Ronda Rousey After TLC?
The main event of TLC more than delivered, as Asuka, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair delivered a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the ages, but Ronda Rousey has become an important part of the fallout from the match after costing both Charlotte and Becky. How will the crowd react to Rousey on WWE Raw tonight?
Since arriving in WWE immediately after Asuka won the first ever Women’s Royal Rumble, Ronda Rousey has been the ultimate babyface on WWE Raw, winning the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam after submitting Alexa Bliss. Though some fans cannot stand her promos, even Rousey’s critics have been greatly impressed by her work in the ring, with her match against Nia Jax at TLC being yet another feather in her cap.
Rousey’s match against Jax, as impressive as it was, ended up being only the second-most notable action of hers last night. In the main event of TLC, Rousey exacted revenge on both Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, pushing the ladder that they were both on to enable Asuka to secure her first main roster title in WWE.
Given that Becky is the most popular superstar in WWE right now, it’s understandable for fans to expect her to turn heel as a result of this. Rousey costed Becky her SmackDown Women’s Championship, and while that ladder push had the same effect on Charlotte, most fans will likely focus on what happened to Becky.
However, a source told Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin that Rousey’s actions weren’t meant to be a heel turn, equating what she did to Asuka beating up both Becky and Charlotte with a kendo stick on the go-home show. In other words, it was just Rousey being a character who wanted payback on Charlotte and Becky and did so in a forceful manner.
If that’s the case, I actually like the way a Twitter user framed it, comparing what Rousey did to Goldberg costing Brock Lesnar, Stone Cold Steve Austin playing a pivotal role in Mick Foley’s title victory, or Sasha Banks helping Bayley end Charlotte Flair’s PPV streak.
Wonder if anyone called Stone Cold trash when he helped Mick Foley to win the wwf title?
— Dave (@starklordx) December 17, 2018
Wonder if anyone called Goldberg trash when he helped Eddie to win the wwe title?
Wonder if anyone called Sasha trash when she helped Bayley to win the Raw title?
I wonder.
It makes more sense for WWE to envision Rousey remaining babyface, even after costing Becky and Charlotte, who are among the most popular wrestlers in the company. After all, Rousey seems to be just as popular with the live crowds, as evidenced by the huge reactions to her match against Nia at TLC.
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That said, how WWE wants the crowd to react isn’t always what actually happens. For example, following Becky Lynch’s vicious beatdown of Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam, Becky came out on SmackDown Live to address the audience, dissing them for not being on her side. Because the fans refused to boo Becky, WWE undertook a new, much more fruitful direction.
If the source close to Satin is believed, WWE expects fans to continue supporting Rousey, banking on her popularity and wrestling abilities to enable her to receive positive reactions despite costing a superstar, Becky, who was cheered over her in the build-up to Survivor Series.
In a way, this has become a test of the fans allegiances, because if the WWE Universe’s love for Becky is so great, it could make Rousey’s actions unforgivable. Yes, Rousey has wanted to get her revenge on Becky for her attack on Raw and Charlotte for her attack at Survivor Series, but if the fans are so incensed by Rousey’s interference at TLC, that logic might not matter to them.
Gauging Rousey’s reactions tonight at WWE Raw will be interesting, and while reactions are more of a trend than a one-night occasion, it’s worth seeing how the crowd reacts to Rousey after what she did at TLC. Do they see her vengeance as bad-ass, or are they too upset that Rousey meddled in a championship match that wasn’t hers?
Next. WWE TLC 2018 Final Show Rating. dark
Either way, Rousey wanted both Charlotte and Becky, and after what she did at TLC, there’s a good chance she’ll get them both. With the Royal Rumble on the horizon, Rousey could learn her opponent for WrestleMania 35, and that opponent will most likely be Becky. However, a Triple Threat match in the main event of WM 35 for the Raw Women’s Championship is possible, depending on how creative WWE wants to get with the build or the Women’s Rumble itself.