5 Superstars who could hand Ronda Rousey her first defeat

This Sunday at Evolution, Ronda Rousey defends her Raw Women's Championship against Nikki Bella in a match that she is likely to win very comfortably.

Since making her debut for the company at the Royal Rumble earlier this year, Rousey has had a rocket strapped to her back by WWE creative and has quickly become the biggest female star in the company.

Rousey captured the Raw Women's Championship just seven months after making her arrival in the WWE, and the former UFC star is yet to taste defeat since becoming a WWE superstar.

All good things must come to an end though, and whether it is this Sunday (highly unlikely) or in two years' time, Ronda Rousey is going to end up tasting defeat inside the squared circle eventually.

Rousey's dominance is not particularly surprising, given her famed MMA background, and the WWE will need to think very carefully before they hand her first defeat. Whichever superstar is the first to keep Rousey's shoulders on the mat for the three count is going to grab a lot of attention.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five superstars who could hand Ronda Rousey her first defeat in the WWE.

---

#5 Io Shirai

Io Shirai is considered by many as the best female wrestler in the world

Io Shirai has not made her debut in the WWE or NXT yet, but the former World Wonder Ring Stardom superstar has already made an impact in the company by securing her place in the final of this year's Mae Young Classic.

Shirai, for those who don't know, is considered by many to be the best female wrestler on the planet and providing the WWE book her correctly, the sky could be the limit for the former World of Stardom Champion.

Of course, Shirai is likely to spend some time down in NXT before she makes her debut on the main roster, but given Rousey's current momentum, it doesn't look as though the WWE has any intention of having her lose any time soon.

#4 Shayna Baszler

Baszler is one of the toughest women in the WWE

From a pure fighting standpoint, there are few superstars who could believably beat Ronda Rousey. She is one of the most decorated female fighters in the history of the UFC, and is often dubbed 'the baddest woman on the planet' by the WWE.

Step forward, Shayna Baszler. Rousey's fellow MMA horsewomen is one of the meanest superstars currently employed by the WWE, and while her MMA record may not be quite as dominant as Rousey's, she would still make for an incredibly believable victor against the current Raw Women's Champion.

From a booking perspective, this one manages itself. While the two women have been allies on WWE television so far, there is nothing stopping Baszler debuting and taking out Rousey, laying claim to her 'baddest woman on the planet' moniker in the process.

#3 Asuka

Not all hope is lost for Asuka

Asuka has had an absolutely horrendous 2018. Since winning the Royal Rumble earlier this year, Asuka's only notable victory has come at Elimination Chamber, when she defeated Nia Jax to secure her spot at WrestleMania.

While Asuka is currently lost from a creative point of view, there is still a chance that the WWE could turn things around for the former NXT Women's Champion.

This Sunday, Asuka will enter the battle royal match at Evolution and a dominant victory against the rest of the women's roster, followed by a SmackDown title victory could soon help get her back on the right track.

This time last year, a match between Asuka and Ronda Rousey could have easily main-evented a PPV, and if the WWE can successfully rebuild Asuka's momentum, then there is every chance that we could see just that in the future.

#2 Becky Lynch

Becky Lynch is on fire right now

There are few superstars as over as Becky Lynch is right now.

Since turning heel at SummerSlam, Lynch has been riding a wave of momentum that is unrivalled in the company right now.

Lynch is so popular right now that during the SmackDown 1000 episode, she even managed to get WWE Hall of Famer and fan favourite, Edge, booed during their Cutting Edge segment.

If the WWE are willing to pull the trigger on The Lass Kicker, then they could have the biggest female star of all time on their hands. While she is likely to drop the belt to Flair at Evolution, she could easily win it back in the coming months and then set up a blockbuster match with Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania.

#1 Charlotte Flair

Charlotte Flair is the most obvious candidate to defeat Ronda Rousey

Whether fans like it or not, Charlotte Flair is the superstar who is the most likely to bring an end to Ronda Rousey's reign at the top of the WWE.

The second-generation superstar is the only female talent the WWE holds in the same regard as Rousey, and if, as rumours are to be believed, the two women are set for a historic WrestleMania showdown, then there is every chance Flair is the one who could see her hand raised in New Jersey next April.