10 Next Big Things In Wrestling That Totally Flopped

5. Ronda Rousey

Jack Swagger Jake Hager WWE Flop
WWE.com

Yes, it's Ronda Rousey.

You might be slightly shocked to see 'Rowdy' here, but don't be. She was supposed to be the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle in WWE's female ranks when signing on full-time in 2018. That women's "revolution" they spoke of? Ronda was going to help kick the doors down and bring her UFC crossover appeal to pro wrestling. It'd be a match made in heaven.

Unfortunately, Rousey never seemed comfortable with the fickle nature of the biz or in-tune with the fact she might...y'know...have to turn heel instead of being some super-popular hero forever. Several shooty comments in the media were ill-advised, then Ronda appeared shocked fans didn't like what she had to say.

WWE tried again by bringing Rousey back in 2022, but it was another failed experiment. She'd be gone by the summer of 2023, and decided to badmouth the company's structure to anyone who'd listen afterwards. The woman who was meant to take the division skyward plummeted whilst it marched on like nothing had happened.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.