Many assumed that even if Ronda Rousey won her UFC 207 match against Amanda Nunes, she would eventually make her way to the WWE. With her losing to Nunes in such vicious style, some have already declared that a nonstarter.
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Include ESPN analyst and former employee of WWE Jonathan Coachman in that camp. The analyst, who correctly called the one-sided fight on ESPN’s First Take program, took to Twitter afterward to comment on if Rousey is WWE bound. Coachman feels quite confident in saying that will not happen (via CageSideSeats).
Sorry no chance. You can’t bring in her at any point. Perception matters. That performance mattered. https://t.co/0HGPgVNLod
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) December 31, 2016
Michael listen to me. It will NEVER happen. They are not in the business of bringing in a broken star and rebuilding her. https://t.co/JUOAVig2ov
— Jonathan Coachman (@TheCoachESPN) December 31, 2016
For context, here is what he said before the fight.”What Ronda Rousey has not done, to your point, is got back into the octagon. I have never seen a professional athlete, male or female, where their self-worth is so completely tied to their professional success. Here’s what I believe we’re going to see tonight. I believe we’re going to be talking about Amanda Nunes knocking her out. I believe we’re going to be talking about Ronda Rousey retiring immediately after the fight. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that she hasn’t spoken this entire fight camp. Dana White has been making excuses for her, covering for her, and I don’t think she wanted to fight int eh first place, but I believe she couldn’t have walked away coming off the loss and needed to get back in one more time.”
“I believe we’re going to be talking about Ronda Rousey retiring IMMEDIATELY after the fight.” –@TheCoachESPN pic.twitter.com/3Zz3Ipm7v2
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 30, 2016
Coachman was certainly right in his predictions, but he’s not necessarily right about her journey to the WWE. His argument loses a bit of its luster when you consider that WWE is promoting a Big Show vs Shaq (yep, that Shaq) match at their WrestleMania pay-per-view. WWE is fine with having a retired athlete battle a just about to retire superstar in a match no one ever asked for, but they won’t even consider bringing a UFC star in who is 12 and 2, and still has star power to her name.
Yeah, that doesn’t make a lick of sense.
They aren’t rebuilding a brand that no one knows of. WWE loves redemption stories because they typically sell tickets, and it gives their female heels like Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte someone to belittle as she works her way back up the card. Sorry, it’s a bit hard to believe that she wouldn’t still be worth a considerable investment from WWE, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments!
MORE UFC: Dana White Comments On Status Of Ronda Rousey / Ronda Rousey’s Mom Wants The UFC Fighter To Retire After Devastating Loss / Internet Reacts To Ronda Rousey Getting Destroyed In Her UFC Return / Amanda Nunes Wins Fight Against Ronda Rousey / Dana White Comments On Brock Lesnar And CM Punk’s UFC Future
