Opinion

Who Should Ronda Rousey Face At WrestleMania?

Published

7 years ago

February 1, 2018

WWE’s newest Superstar is a familiar name to most sports fans. “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey was the fighter that solidified women’s MMA as a focal point of UFC programming. Some of her fights were part of UFC’s biggest PPV buyrates. Though her UFC career came to a screeching halt after two high-profile losses, Rousey still rates as the biggest draw in women’s MMA history.

Her arrival in WWE was rumored for years before it finally happened. Ronda is a well-known wrestling fan that regularly attended WWE events & even checked out a PWG show or two. She got permission from the legendary “Rowdy” Roddy Piper to use his nickname as a mixed martial artist. Ronda & her training partners called themselves the Four Horsewomen with permission from Ric Flair & Arn Anderson. She loves sports entertainment & wants to give it a shot.

So she showed up at the Royal Rumble. Many were thinking that she would be in the Women’s Rumble Match & win it. Instead, she came down after it was over & pointed at the WrestleMania sign.

We know she’ll be at WrestleMania. The $64,000 question is what she’ll be doing there. Will she be standing around backstage? Could she be hosting the show? Will she have a confrontation?

I might be a little bit optimistic, but I’m hoping she actually has a match. There are some obvious options based on Ronda’s interactions with WWE at the Rumble & previous events. There’s one rumor from the Meltz that’s picking up some steam.

Let’s break down the options & figure out what would be best.

Charlotte Flair

Why It World Work: The Horsewomen tension was teased during the Mae Young Classic. Charlotte is the best female performer in WWE right now in my opinion, & would be as likely to get a good match out of Ronda as anybody.

Why It Wouldn’t Work: It’s the kind of match you build to for awhile. You don’t put it out there as Ronda’s first match. Let her work her way up the ranks and then challenge Charlotte for the championship. It’s the kind of match that could actually go on last at a WrestleMania in a couple of years. Just not this one.

Alexa Bliss

Why It Would Work: Alexa might be the best person to feud with Ronda. She’d be good at running down Ronda’s accomplishments every week and making people think she had a chance to win. She’s also the Raw Women’s Champion, so if you want Ronda on Raw it makes sense.

Why It Wouldn’t Work: Like Charlotte, Alexa is a champion. Rousey doesn’t need to beat a champion on her first night. People might believe Alexa has a fighting chance until the stare-down, then it’d be an uphill climb.

Asuka

Why It Would Work: Asuka & Ronda exchanging kicks & strikes would be the closest thing to a fight that I can think of. It’d be fun to watch!

Why It Wouldn’t Work: Asuka is scheduled to take on either the Raw or SmackDown Women’s Champion. She won’t turn that down just to wrestle Rousey. Also, having Rousey end Asuka’s streak in her first pro wrestling match would be pretty anti-climatic.

Stephanie McMahon

Why It Would Work: If the match consists of Ronda putting Stephanie in an armbar, it’d get a huge pop & serve its purpose.

Why It Wouldn’t Work: Anything more than that would be a waste of time. Stephanie doesn’t need to be getting offense in a one on one contest with somebody that’s legitimately one of the toughest women on the planet. She probably would anyway.

w/The Rock vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H

Why It Would Work: Hiding Ronda in a tag team match with two of wrestling’s biggest stars makes perfect sense. It would get a large amount of mainstream attention and generate the most buys out of anything I can think of. There’s also a built-in issue, as these four were involved in a confrontation at WrestleMania 31. Long-term booking!

Why It Wouldn’t Work: Rock either might not be available or might not get cleared to wrestle.

So who would I pick?

I wouldn’t go with any of those choices!

Hear me out. We’re talking about a competitor making her in-ring debut. Professional wrestling is a whole different beast from MMA. MMA’s easier in many respects, mostly because you’re not expected to protect your opponent or execute pretty moves or put on a show to entertain the crowd. Rousey’s friend Shayna Baszler has had a successful transition from MMA to wrestling, but she would admit that it didn’t happen overnight.

Rousey’s put some time in at the Performance Center. That doesn’t replicate performing in front of 70,000 fans at the Superdome. She’s going to need somebody she can rely on in the ring with her. An experienced veteran that’s seen it all, that won’t get lost in the WrestleMania Moment. It needs to be somebody that’s willing to work with Ronda & make her look like a million bucks. Whoever wrestles Rousey won’t be the focus of the match. They need to be ok with that.

The perfect opponent for Rowdy Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania might not be a household name. She’s appeared on E! & has been on the main roster for nearly a decade. Most of her time with the company has been spent making her opponents look good. She would be the perfect woman for this spot. Oh, and she’s been training with Ronda at the Performance Center.

Natalya

From a storyline perspective, it’s a woman that grew up in the wrestling business defending the sport against a hotshot newcomer that thinks she can waltz in & be a Superstar. It’s not going to be that easy. Ronda will have to prove herself against a seasoned competitor. You can’t hand her a title match just because she’s Ronda Rousey.

Once Ronda beats Natalya, then we can start talking about titles & authority figures and things like that. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk. Natalya will be a good teacher.

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

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POD is WAR 2/1/18: Ronda Rousey In WWE

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

3 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1