10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Ronda Rousey
9. How Other Characters Suffered
Rousey herself has been critical of the way she launched her full-time WWE career. In a blog post on her own website, she said she believed even then that her Rumble showing trod on Asuka's big moment. It was a stunningly frank admission from one of the biggest stars around, and not one Ronda had to own up to.
To her, Asuka suffered because of WWE's decision to shine the spotlight on their new marquee signing.
In the months to come, others would be sacrificed so Ronda looked good. Nia Jax, who had been positioned as a sympathetic, body-proud babyface against Alexa Bliss and even won the Raw Women's Title at 'Mania 34, had her face shine cancelled. Suddenly, all so WWE could feed someone to Rousey, she returned to her heel roots.
WWE's booking of Rousey had to be strong, no doubt, but they absolutely didn't need to forgo established storytelling to achieve their goals. If the Asuka example is a mild one, then the Jax one sure isn't. She's barely recovered since.