50 Ups & 50 Downs For WWE's Decade: The 2010s
12. Ronda's Run
With comparisons already being made to Kurt Angle's revolutionary rookie year on the main roster, Ronda Rousey's run is one of the great success stories of the era.
Bottled, her WrestleMania tag victory alongside the fellow former Olympian would have been enough of a hill to die on, but Rousey managed the total opposite after shining brighter than half the established talents on her first night in.
With charisma to spare and already mastered, 'The Baddest Woman On The Planet' improved her in-ring game with every passing match to the point she could credibly compete with any opponent rather than requiring a carry from outstanding baggage-handlers Charlotte Flair or Nikki Bella. She gave Nia Jax her best match, Alexa Bliss a cathartic kicking, and the aforementioned 'Queen' one of the best main roster singles matches of the year. It all ended where it started back at WrestleMania, but further up the card. The rise of 'The Man' was as stunning as it was organic, but Ronda's mere presence ensured it received the platform it deserved.
But about that debut...