'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey officially debuted for WWE at Royal Rumble 2018. Widely regarded as one of the most successful MMA athletes ever, Rousey was seen as a ready-made superstar. Hence, the promotion propelled her straight to the top.
The UFC Hall of Famer made a high-profile in-ring debut at WrestleMania and received a RAW Women's Title shot in her second match. In her next match, she became the champion and held the title for 231 days.
Her rookie year was seen on the same level as all-time great inaugural runs from the likes of Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar.
Trending
Former WWE writer buries Judgment Day HERE
With a rumored return on the horizon after three years out of action, it seems like The Rowdy One is set to make her presence known on the Road to WrestleMania.
There will be many exceptional contests to come based on her first run but now seems like an ideal time to remember the bangers offered up in this rookie year. In this article, let's take a look at five must-watch Ronda Rousey WWE matches.
5) Ronda Rousey vs. Natalya for the RAW Women's Championship (WWE Raw 12/24/18)
The friendship between Ronda Rousey and Natalya had been established since before her debut. The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion worked with Bret Hart's niece on her in-ring work before she arrived in WWE.
During Ronda's RAW Women's Championship reign, she met her fair share of formidable challengers, but Natalya presented a unique obstacle. She knew Rousey better than anyone and her experience added to her advantage.
Rousey fought valiantly and found a way to pull out a victory. Despite the predictable outcome, the bout kept a high intensity and was paced extremely well. This was a litmus test passed for the Rowdy One.
4) Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax for the RAW Women's Championship (Money in the Bank 2018)
Following a critically acclaimed debut at WrestleMania, WWE announced Ronda Rousey's second match would be for the RAW Women's Championship against Nia Jax. The Irresistible Force presented an insurmountable hurdle for the UFC Hall of Famer.
The contest at Money in the Bank 2018 was physically intense and told a simple David vs. Goliath story, with Ronda being overwhelmed by her larger opponent.
However, Rousey's comeback was fierce and electrified the fans in attendance. But the disqualification finish with Alexa Bliss coming in to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase stops this from gaining a higher spot on this list.
3) Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair (Survivor Series 2018)
Heading into Survivor Series 2018, RAW Women's Champion Rousey was scheduled to go one-on-one with SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch. However, an errant punch from Nia Jax led to Lynch's nose being broken. The injury led to Becky not being medically cleared for the pay-per-view and Charlotte Flair replacing her.
The match was hard-hitting, fast-paced, and compelling to watch. Flair got desperate when she couldn't put Rousey away and decided to get a kendo stick to batter her opponent, causing a disqualification. Despite the ending, this remains one of the best matches for Ronda in WWE.
2) Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle vs. Stephanie McMahon & Triple H (WrestleMania 34)
Ronda Rousey had one of the best debut matches in WWE history. She found a detestable opposition in Stephanie McMahon, while Triple H was seemingly trying to push Kurt Angle out of power. This set the stage for a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania 34.
The bout was sports entertainment at its finest and designed to highlight Ronda. Stephanie ran from the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. Rousey even physically dominated Triple H.
In the end, it was Ronda who put McMahon away with a cross-arm breaker to win.
1) Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks for the RAW Women's Championship (Royal Rumble 2019)
The Royal Rumble 2019 saw Rousey face her fiercest challenge as the RAW Women's Champion. Sasha Banks was different from Ronda's previous opponents. She had a level of resentment unlike anyone had shown towards Rousey, making their match a little more personal.
Sasha Banks held nothing back and laid into Rousey with every move from her hard-hitting arsenal. This contest had the recklessness and violence that became a staple of Ronda's better encounters. The only setback was Ronda's fireman's carry didn't seem to be enough to beat Sasha.
Despite that anti-climactic finish, this had both ladies playing to their strengths and making the most of every minute they were allotted. Sasha Banks played Ronda's game and lost in the end for it.
