Picture this: the moment your longtime training partner flips the switch and turns what was supposed to be scripted into a full-blown brawl right there in the WWE ring. It's the kind of story that defines legends, and for Shayna Baszler, it unfolded with none other than Ronda Rousey.
Ronda Rousey's former training buddy had a gut feeling that 'Rowdy' wouldn't hold back when they finally clashed for real in the wrestling world. Rousey's last UFC bout was over in a lightning-fast 44 seconds (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/30/14-punch-combination-sent-ronda-rousey-into-retirement-and-settled-the-goat-debate-in-48-seconds/), marking the abrupt finish to her MMA journey after suffering two consecutive knockouts that forced her out of the sport.
But here's where it gets controversial – did those defeats really dim her star, or did they just pave the way for a new chapter? Many fans still debate if Rousey was truly past her prime or if the UFC landscape had simply evolved beyond her style.
The ex-bantamweight queen's dominance at the peak of mixed martial arts gave way to an unexpected pivot. Through her meteoric ascent, she catapulted women's MMA into the spotlight, bringing unprecedented fame and visibility to the division (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/28/dana-white-was-unsure-about-ronda-rouseys-ufc-future-on-the-night-she-ended-her-greatest-rivalry/).
Fast-forward to 2018, and Rousey inked a deal with WWE (https://bloodyelbow.com/tag/wwe/), completing a fascinating loop when she stepped into the squared circle opposite another UFC alum.
- LATEST NEWS: Khabib Nurmagomedov opens up about doubting the UFC's demands right after his signing (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/31/khabib-nurmagomedov-recalls-questioning-the-ufc-after-they-asked-him-to-make-one-change-once-he-signed/)
If you had to capture Ronda Rousey's entire professional path in a single word, what would it be? Drop your take in the comments and join the conversation!
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Shayna Baszler was acutely aware from the get-go that her WWE showdown with Ronda Rousey would escalate into genuine combat.
Rousey racked up achievements in the UFC at breakneck speed (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/10/19/ronda-rousey-spent-just-64-seconds-in-the-octagon-over-a-year-during-legendary-three-fight-ufc-run/), and she replicated that triumph in WWE by snagging the Raw Women's Championship during her rookie year, debuting spectacularly at WrestleMania 34.
Yet, it was her old teammate Shayna Baszler who got the jump on her, joining WWE a year earlier in 2017.
With two UFC appearances under her belt, including a defeat at the hands of Amanda Nunes (https://bloodyelbow.com/tag/amanda-nunes/), Baszler had been part of Rousey's (https://bloodyelbow.com/tag/ronda-rousey/) squad during the 18th season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' (https://bloodyelbow.com/tag/the-ultimate-fighter/) back in 2013.
Their deep bond culminated in the showdown they'd been hinting at: an MMA-style clash at SummerSlam 2023, which turned out to be Rousey's swan song with the promotion.
In a chat with Chris Van Vliet, Baszler recounted how the vibe shifted instantly to reality.
"I've partnered with Ronda in countless sparring sessions over the years. She operates in two modes: full throttle or nothing," Baszler shared. "As the match kicked off, she tossed this deceptive little jab my way, and I reacted instinctively, landing a shot to her nose. In that split second, I thought, 'Uh-oh, game on.' It was all-out warfare from there."
- THROWBACK: Dana White humorously threatened to block a 'conspiracy' believer from a title fight just to debunk their claims of a 'rigged' system (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/30/dana-white-joked-hed-deny-conspiracy-theorist-a-title-shot-just-to-prove-his-rigged-remark-true/)
And this is the part most people miss – Shayna Baszler is refreshingly candid about potentially lacing up for MMA once more.
Dana White has firmly quashed any talk of Rousey returning to the octagon (https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/12/07/dana-white-brutally-shuts-down-ronda-rousey-vs-katie-taylor-rumors-while-sharing-wwe-anecdote/), despite whispers that it might happen. Rousey even gives credit to Baszler for sparking her interest in pro wrestling, as she'd relax by watching matches after their grueling workouts.
Baszler dove headfirst into wrestling after getting released from the UFC following a pair of losses.
In her interview with Van Vliet, the 45-year-old addressed the possibility of slipping back into the gloves for the right opportunity.
"That's an amusing query. I'd definitely give jiu-jitsu or submission grappling another go," she replied. "But full-contact fighting? It's a discipline where I could still compete, yet even a tiny lag in speed makes all the difference in MMA. Let's face it, that's a game for the younger crowd."
For beginners scratching their heads at the crossover between MMA and WWE, think of it like this: MMA is raw, no-holds-barred combat with real stakes, while WWE blends athleticism with storytelling drama. Yet, when stars like Rousey and Baszler bring their authentic fight backgrounds, the lines blur, creating electric moments that question – is wrestling just entertainment, or can it channel the intensity of real combat?
What do you think? Was Rousey's WWE stint a smart evolution or a detour from her true calling? And should fighters like Baszler retire gracefully, or is there always room for a comeback? Share your views in the comments below – let's debate!
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