WWE Had Much Different Original WrestleMania 39 Plans For Ronda Rousey

WWE carried on with the road to WrestleMania, and they didn’t have to alter much from their original plan along the way. Things did change for Ronda Rousey, because she was reportedly supposed to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside Shayna Baszler. It seems that Ronda is a fan of being part of a tag team.

The Baddest Woman on the planet is currently dealing with an injury. She will still compete at WrestleMania, but she will team with Shayna Baszler for a 4-way tag team match. Things had to change a couple of times for Rousey along the way.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Ronda Rousey was supposed to face Raquel Rodriguez with the SmackDown Women’s Title on the line at the Royal Rumble event.

It was reported that, “Ronda Rousey’s creative changed significantly based on what it was originally pitched to be for WrestleMania.” The report went on to further explain how the events on the road to WrestleMania evolved into what we see Ronda Rousey doing right now.

Fightful Select had reported over the past months that originally, Ronda Rousey was scheduled to face Raquel Rodriguez at the WWE Royal Rumble, where she was scheduled to retain the WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship. We were told that was the plan until December, when creative couldn’t be agreed upon heading into the WrestleMania season.

By that time, Rhea Ripley had long been planned to win the WWE Royal Rumble, where she’d challenge Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Over on the WWE Raw brand, a returning Charlotte would have challenged Bianca Belair for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship. At the time these plans were in effect — late November, early December, Charlotte had still been off television for quite some time, and the long-rumored Becky Lynch vs. Ronda Rousey match for WrestleMania was no longer happening.

It was also reported that, “those familiar with the situation said that Ronda Rousey preferred and pushed for the tag team with Shayna Baszler that we now see playing out on WWE television, which is slated to end up with them challenging for the WWE Tag Team Titles.” Then the match with Raquel Rodriguez was moved up a full month to a Smackdown at the end of December, but it was still well-received.

Charlotte Flair was brought back to television, and was booked to win the Women’s Championship that day. The Queen didn’t even know she was winning the title that night until she showed up. That’s how fast things can change around WWE.

What’s your take on Ronda Rousey in WWE? Do you like how she’s booked? Sound off in the comments!