WWE Money In The Bank 2018: Star Ratings For All 10 Matches
2. Nia Jax Vs. Ronda Rousey - RAW Women's Title Match
Nia Jax had a bloody cheek questioning Ronda Rousey's experience in the build, an easy dramatic device though it was. Rousey is exponentially better at pro wrestling than Nia Jax ever will be, as she demonstrated here in a very good affair that handily surpassed expectations. Rousey used her combat sports legitimacy to drive selling that never translated as "selling", but genuine pain. Her timing, however, is the work of a woman born for pro wrestling. She describes herself, in real life, as the genetic cream of the crop. It would be a heel move, if not so self-evidently true; Ronda knew exactly when and to what extent to fire up.
Structurally, this wasn't too dissimilar to the only match layout viable for an opponent of Nia's unique, limiting proportions. It was enhanced by both the sense of occasion and Ronda's excellent instincts. There was a great moment in which Nia hoisted Rousey up for the Samoan drop; the second Rousey realised that Nia wore an expression of arrogance, her expression seamlessly switched from pained panic to pure rage before she controlled her to the floor by twisting her arm to a grotesque angle.
Easily Nia's best main roster outing, that Ronda has managed so much against such limited opposition thus far inspires rare hope for a hopeless company.
The intra- and post-match drama of Alexa's cash-in added an extra dimension to a one-dimensional match layout that made near-perfect use of that one dimension.
Star Rating: ***1/2