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What’s the story?
Today, both Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey appeared alongside Stephanie McMahon, Triple H and Charlotte Flair at the NBC Universal Upfronts.
The huge story emerging from the event is that the event seemingly all but confirmed that Nia Jax will take on Ronda Rousey at Money In The Bank for the Raw Women's Championship - and WWE has now confirmed that the match is official!
In case you didn’t know…
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While Ronda Rousey has only had one match in WWE, she shocked the world in that match by putting in an incredible performance on her WrestleMania debut against Stephanie McMahon and Triple H alongside Kurt Angle.
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Rousey has been teaming with Natalya and will face Mickie James on WWE's imminent European tour, so it appeared that we would potentially see that story unfold on television in the near future.
As for Nia Jax, she won the RAW Women's Championship in a dominant performance at WrestleMania against Alexa Bliss. That rivalry has continued since, and it seemed like we may also be on track for a rematch at Money In The Bank - but today's event has thrown a spanner in the works.
The heart of the matter
While most of the WWE roster is currently overseas ahead of RAW and SmackDown emanating from London this week, several WWE Superstars appeared in New York City today for the NBC Universal Upfronts.
During a joint interview on the red carpet, several sources were reporting that RAW Women's Champion Nia Jax issued a challenge to former UFC star Ronda Rousey, suggesting the pair square off in the squared circle at the upcoming WWE Money In the Bank pay-per-view.
Well, WWE didn't take long to confirm the match via Twitter.
And WWE.com reports:
Nia Jax shockingly named Ronda Rousey as her next challenger for the Raw Women’s Championship this morning at the NBCUniversal Upfront in New York City’s Radio City Music Hall.
The Irresistible Force revealed she wants to put her title on the line against Rousey at WWE Money in the Bank, much to the surprise of The Baddest Woman on the Planet. Never one to back down from either a challenge or an opportunity, a bewildered Rousey agreed to the match.
Rousey spoke to E! News on the red carpet...
We are very civil and professional ladies, so Nia did just challenge me for Money in the Bank to come after her title. I happily oblige respectfully, so I can sit next to her.
Nia Jax responded...
We can still get along for now, but once we get in the ring, it's over. All bets are off, right?
Ronda Rousey went on to add:
We're professionals, so when we get in there, there's a job to be done. When we're outside of the ring, then we can still be respectful to each other. We all have the same goals. We're all trying to lift the women's division and to show people that we have more to offer than they've given us credit for in the past.
Nia Jax rounded off the interview by saying:
I've never been in a ring with somebody like Ronda. She's one of a kind, so there definitely has to be an alternation to my regimen and I'm looking forward to it.
What's next?
Well, with the pair appearing in New York City just hours ago, it's very unlikely that either female will be on RAW tonight - but the match is official with WWE.com asking, "Can Rousey unseat the imposing Jax and win her first title in WWE?"
WWE Money in the Bank takes place on Sunday, June 17, streaming live on WWE Network.
Author’s take
Personally, I'd rather have seen Ronda Rousey have a bigger run of matches as opposed to a title shot immediately, as WWE may book themselves into a corner here of having to have Rousey win or not having a clean finish to the match.
At first, I assumed this was just talking up to the media, but it is official! I'm very intrigued by how WWE will build this up and how the match will go. It's an exciting prospect, to say the least!
