Ronda Rousey’s Pivotal Role in Women’s Wrestling Highlighted by Mick Foley
The WWE Hall of Famer underscores Rousey’s contribution in elevating women’s wrestling to WrestleMania’s main event status. The Catalyst for Change WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley recently took to Facebook to highlight a notable, albeit controversial, figure in the realm of women’s professional wrestling: Ronda Rousey. Foley’s main argument? Without Rousey’s undeniable star power and crossover appeal, women might never have had the chance to headline WrestleMania in 2019. Many fans will recall that historic match, where Rousey stood toe-to-toe with wrestling superstars Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a nail-biting triple-threat clash. This battle saw both the “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown” Women’s Championships on the line, culminating with Becky Lynch capturing the victory. Notably, this landmark event paved the way for Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair to subsequently headline WrestleMania 37, further cementing the place of women’s wrestling in WWE’s main events. From MMA to WWE Stardom Foley stated, “I still believe the real marquee match would have been Becky versus Ronda in a singles match — but nonetheless, let the record show that Ronda Rousey main-event WrestleMania with just one year of professional wrestling experience.” It’s no small feat for any wrestler to achieve such a prominent spot in the business within such a short time, let alone in the world’s premier wrestling organization. However, the dream match between Lynch and Rousey remains an enigma in the wrestling community. Fans have been clamouring for this showdown for years, but it has remained elusive. Rousey’s most recent run in WWE came to a potentially conclusive end after a defeat against Shayna Baszler at WWE SummerSlam, where Rousey, in a twist of fate, was forced to submit in an MMA Rules match. After the match, Rousey hinted at her departure from the wrestling scene, stating she felt she had no further purpose in the industry. Praise, With a Side of Critique Mick Foley’s praise for Rousey is not without caveats. While he recognizes her rapid ascent in the wrestling business, comparing her meteoric rise to legends like Steve Austin and The Rock, he also identified what might have kept Rousey from becoming one of the all-time greats: her promo skills. In professional wrestling, it’s not just about what you do in the ring. Cutting promos, engaging with the audience, and stirring emotions play a significant role. Foley believes that while Rousey had an incredible in-ring presence and brought unmatched star power, her microphone skills might have held her back from reaching the pinnacle of wrestling greatness. A Legacy Set in Stone Regardless of criticisms, Ronda Rousey’s contribution to women’s wrestling cannot be denied. She played an integral role in shattering the glass ceiling, helping female wrestlers attain the spotlight they rightly deserve at events like WrestleMania. While the future is uncertain for Rousey, and fans might not witness the once highly sought-after singles match against Becky Lynch, the indelible mark she’s left on the world of professional wrestling remains evident. As we look forward to more women main-eventing WrestleMania, we mustn’t forget the trailblazers like Rousey who have made these moments possible.
Jimmy Hart Discusses Possibly Replacing Paul Heyman as Roman Reigns’ Manager
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, personalities can change as frequently as wrestling holds. Recently, one of the most buzzed-about topics in WWE circles is whether Jimmy Hart could replace Paul Heyman as Roman Reigns’ manager. Hart finally addresses these rumours, providing a fresh perspective on this ongoing speculation. Paul Heyman, the long-time manager and Special Counsel to the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, has never been shy of sharing his thoughts. Before the much-anticipated SummerSlam 2023, both Reigns and Heyman appeared on Stephen A. Smith’s First Take. In what came as no surprise to many, Heyman, staying in character, boasted about his managerial prowess. He even went as far as to insult legendary wrestling managers, Jimmy Hart and Bobby Heenan, claiming he was the best the industry has ever seen. Hart’s Respectful Response Though some might have expected an angry retaliation from Hart, the legendary manager chose to take the higher road. Unfazed by Heyman’s remarks, Jimmy Hart showed deep admiration for what Heyman has brought to the world of pro wrestling. Speaking about Heyman’s comments, Hart said, “Everyone has their own perspective. I respect Heyman for what he’s done in this business. We all have our unique ways, and he’s certainly carved out his.” Would Hart Ever Manage The Tribal Chief? The burning question that has been on everyone’s minds was finally addressed when Jimmy Hart appeared on the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast. The question of whether he would consider managing Roman Reigns was posed to the veteran manager. In response, Hart candidly expressed that while he has immense respect for Reigns and his craft, he believes his high-energy managerial style might not gel well with Reign’s persona. Describing the nature of his character, Hart mentioned, “First of all, he [Roman Reigns] does a great job, and Paul [Heyman] fits him so greatly, Paul fits him to a T. I think my character’s a little bit too over-the-top for that because I’m more like, ‘Whoa! Hey baby! How you doing!?’ That’s always been my thing.” The Perfect Pair Hart was quick to acknowledge the chemistry between Reigns and Heyman, pointing out that their partnership on screen is something special. They possess a dynamic that is hard to replicate. “Up-tempo, never kind of laid back, and I just kind of think Roman does such a great job along with Paul together, and they really fit good together,” Hart added. As things stand, the partnership between Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman remains rock-solid. While fans are always eager to see new alliances and changes, the sheer magnetism between Reigns and Heyman is hard to deny. However, it’s worth noting the class with which Jimmy Hart handles such situations, always showing respect and understanding for his peers. While a pairing between Reigns and Hart may remain a figment of fans’ imaginations, it’s undeniable that both managers have left, and continue to leave, indelible marks on the world of professional wrestling.
Dana White on UFC’s position regarding Nate Diaz returning to the UFC – “This will always be his house”
It seems the UFC doors will always be open for Nate Diaz. The Stockton slugger is undoubtedly one of the biggest superstars ever to grace the UFC octagon and has fought against world-class opponents in some of the most high-profile bouts in MMA history. After spending a decade competing in the UFC, Diaz left the promotion in September last year. It’s no secret that Nate Diaz had his issues with the promotion and often clashed with its senior-most executives. However, the Stockton native has lately expressed his desire to eventually return to the famed octagon. In a press conference after the conclusion of Dana White’s Contender Series 57, Dana White called Diaz a bonafide UFC icon and stated that the organization will always be his home. He said: “We feel the same way about Nate. We always have… This will always be Nate’s house. Nate grew up here. He came up on The Ultimate Fighter. He fought some of the biggest fights ever here. We love the kid. I don’t know about fighting in the future, but this is always going to be his house. We’ll see.” Jake Paul on Nate Diaz putting him in a chokehold during their boxing match Jake Paul recently opened up about Nate Diaz applying his grappling moves on him during their boxing match. Paul recently welcomed Diaz to the world of professional boxing. The two men faced each other on August 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and Paul secured a unanimous decision victory after their ten-round war. During the final round, Diaz seemed to wrap a momentary guillotine choke around Paul’s neck before letting go. The incident caused quite an uproar among viewers, and many hailed the Stockton slugger for keeping the fight interesting. However, Jake Paul wasn’t pleased about it and recently sounded off on Nate Diaz for using the illegal move. In their post-fight press conference, Jake Paul confirmed that Diaz applied pressure on the choke and said: “He f**king choked me! He was actually choking me. I was like, ‘This is crazy’. I didn’t think he was gonna stop, but he had it in… That’s why I want to do it back in MMA… If it was it was MMA, I would have dropped to a double-leg, picked him up, and dropped him on his head.”
Dana White on ‘Wonderboy’ not being paid his show money for UFC 291 – “You don’t fight, you don’t get paid”
Dana White recently opened up about Stephen Thompson’s compensation issue. ‘Wonderboy’ and Michel Pereira were scheduled to fight in a welterweight contest at UFC 291. However, the Brazilian failed to make weight and came in three pounds over the non-title welterweight limit of 171 pounds. After Thompson chose not to fight at catchweight, the bout was ultimately scrapped. After the event, Stephen Thompson revealed that the UFC didn’t pay him for going through a full fight camp, making weight, and showing up to the weigh-ins. However, ‘Wonderboy’ was vocally optimistic about the UFC doing right by him. In a recent press conference, Dana White revealed why Thompson wasn’t paid and outlined the promotion’s remuneration process. He said: “You decided not to fight, the guy was three pounds overweight, you get a piece of his purse if you take the fight… No, you don’t just show up and say ‘yeah, I’m not going to fight, I want a quarter of a million dollars’, that’s not how it works, hasn’t worked that way for anybody…There’s a lot of different ways that this gets worked out.” White then explained that the promotion was looking for a solution with Thompson’s team and said: “You don’t fight, you don’t get paid necessarily in the contract. But we always make sure that we take care of everybody and we’re working it out with Wonderboy right now. It’s all being worked out behind the scenes, and this should all be worked out by Saturday.” Dana White praises Nate Diaz after Jake Paul loss; claims the Stockton slugger will always be welcome in the UFC Despite their past differences, Dana White and Nate Diaz share a mutual respect for each other. The UFC supremo recently discussed Diaz’s boxing debut against Jake Paul and showered praise on the former UFC star for holding his own against the YouTuber. Diaz faced Paul in an eight-round boxing match on August 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Stockton native showed some promising moments during the bout but couldn’t stop Paul from cruising to a unanimous decision victory. In a presser after the conclusion of Dana White’s Contender Series 57, Dana White reacted to Diaz’s performance and said: “For a kid pushing 40 years old fighting a guy four weight classes bigger than him in boxing and two in MMA and going the distance at his age against a 20-f*cking-something-year-old kid, so far, he’s fared the best. He looked good. I’m happy for him.” White addressed Nate Diaz’s eagerness to return to the UFC and added: “We feel the same way about Nate. We always have… This will always be Nate’s house. Nate grew up here. He came up on The Ultimate Fighter. He fought some of the biggest fights ever here. We love the kid. I don’t know about fighting in the future, but this is always going to be his house. We’ll see.”
Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland finally set to go down at UFC 293 in Sydney
Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney. UFC president Dana White recently confirmed the matchup via a social media announcement and outlined some other matchups slated to go down at the Qudos Bank Arena on September 10. Adesanya was initially expected to face fast-rising middleweight contender Dricus Du Plessis for his next title defense. However, the South African was forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury he picked up during his fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC 290. After Du Plessis was unavailable, ‘The Last Stylebender’ campaigned to fight Strickland instead. Adesanya and Strickland have a long-standing feud and will be looking to settle their differences in the cage. The two have previously taken several personal shots at each other via social media and interviews. The co-main event of UFC 293 will feature a heavyweight contest between Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkov. Elsewhere on the card, Australian flyweight Kai Kara-France will go up against Manel Kape. Justin Tafa will also fight Austin Lane in another exciting heavyweight battle. It was recently announced that an injury forced Casey O’Neill out of her bout against Viviane Araujo. Jennifer Maia has replaced the women’s flyweight contender and will face Araujo instead. UFC 293: Kevin Holland on Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland Kevin Holland recently weighed in on the Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland middleweight title fight at UFC 293 next month. ‘Trailblazer’ claimed that he doesn’t see ‘Tarzan’ posing too much of a challenge for Adesanya and predicts another successful title defense for the Nigerian-born Kiwi. In an interview with Helen Yee, Holland claimed that neither Strickland nor Dricus Du Plessis posed a threat to Adesanya. He said: “Either way, I think both of those fights are good fights for Izzy. I don’t see either one of those guys giving Izzy a problem. Du Plessis has been known to prove us wrong, and he’s fixed his nose, so maybe he’s a better fighter.” He continued: “I think Izzy picks him apart, Izzy picks Du Plessis apart… Izzy has more chances of knocking out Strickland because Strickland will take more chances than Du Plessis does.” Watch the full interview below: Israel Adesanya last defeated his longtime rival Alex Pereira and reclaimed the middleweight championship. The Nigerian-born Kiwi has put together one of the greatest resumes in UFC middleweight history and has effectively cleared the division. Meanwhile, Sean Strickland is on a two-fight win streak and will be looking to extend that at UFC 293 in September.
Conor McGregor claims UFC isn’t interested in Michael Chandler matchup, ‘Iron’ responds
The highly anticipated Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler bout may be in jeopardy. The Irishman recently claimed that the UFC wasn’t keen on making their matchup a reality and have other plans for his long-awaited return. McGregor has been away from the octagon since July 2021, recuperating from a nasty leg fracture he suffered against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Earlier this year, the promotion roped him in to coach on The Ultimate Fighter opposite Michael Chandler. After the season concludes, the two explosive strikers are expected to face off in the cage. While many looked forward to Conor McGregor returning to action against an opponent as dynamic as Chandler, the Irishman has been dismissive of their anticipated matchup of late. Over the past two weeks, Mcgregor has called out Justin Gaethje, Nate Diaz, Charles Oliveira, and even Floyd Mayweather. In a now-deleted tweet, Conor McGregor surprisingly claimed that the UFC wasn’t interested in making the Michael Chandler fight. He wrote: “I’ll do it if they want, no prob. I don’t think they want him no more tho. There’s loads of juicy fights around, and my return date is my return date. I never gave a f**k about who it was. Ever. I’ll fight anyone. I’ll even fly them to me, ask [Paul] Malinaggi. Flown in and bet around.” Michael Chandler responds to Conor McGregor dismissing their fight Michael Chandler recently reacted to Conor McGregor’s latest tweet dismissing their anticipated bout. While ‘The Notorious’ confidently claimed the UFC wasn’t keen on it, ‘Iron’ is confident the fight will materialize. It’s no surprise that Chandler has been looking forward to facing McGregor in the cage. Given their striking pedigrees, it’s safe to assume a meeting between them will guarantee fireworks in the cage. However, the UFC has issued no official confirmation about the fight. Nevertheless, the former Bellator lightweight champion is confident their fight will go through. Implying that the Irishman wasn’t telling the whole truth, Chandler tweeted: “This dude… I remember when his words held an immense amount of weight. Just tell the truth.” In a follow-up tweet, ‘Iron’ predicted a second-round knockout victory in their bout. He wrote: “Second round KO. Break his will in the first. Finish in the second.” While Conor McGregor is expected to make his return to action this year, his reluctance to enter the USADA testing pool has made things difficult. It remains to be seen when and against whom the former two-division champion returns.
Former UFC fighter claims Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul MMA bout will be “competitive”
Dan Hardy believes a Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul MMA fight will be more competitive than people think. The former UFC star recently weighed in on the proposed Diaz-Paul rematch in the cage and claimed he wouldn’t count the YouTuber out owing to his boxing skills. He also shared an interesting prediction for such a bout. Nate Diaz and Jake Paul faced each other in a boxing match at the American Airlines Center last weekend. The ten-round contest marked the Stockton slugger’s first foray into the boxing ring. Unfortunately, Diaz’s debut saw him lose the fight via unanimous decision. After Paul got his hand raised, he immediately challenged Diaz to an MMA fight and claimed to have a $10 million standing offer for him to accept. While an MMA fight between a UFC veteran like Nate Diaz and Jake Paul seems outrageous to many, Dan Hardy has a contrarian opinion. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, ‘The Outlaw’ stated: “Honestly, and I know I’m going to get some heat for this, but I think it could be competitive. With what we’ve seen from Jake Paul in a boxing match is that he’s willing to stand and trade with Nate at times. He’s willing to be in the pocket… In a striking sense, it’s going to be some level of competitiveness.” He added: “Most likely Nate would submit him of course, but I can’t count Jake out.” Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul: Nick Diaz wants to avenge his younger sibling’s loss; calls for a fight against either of the Paul brothers Nick Diaz recently weighed in on the Nate Diaz vs. Jake Paul boxing match. The former UFC star claimed he wanted to avenge his younger sibling’s loss and called for a fight against the YouTuber-turned-boxer or his elder brother Logan Paul. The ‘Diaz Army’ head honcho was in attendance at the American Airlines Center in Dallas to support his brother. After the younger Diaz sibling lost his boxing debut via unanimous decision, the elder sibling took the mic to make it clear that he was open to fighting the Paul brothers if Nate Diaz wasn’t up to it. Speaking on the pay-per-view, Nick Diaz said: “I think [Nate Diaz] needed a little more work. But let’s cut to the chase, I’m a lot better than both of these guys that are out there. I’d love to entertain the idea of moving in on whomever they’ve got for me. So if they want to do Round 2 [against Jake], if [Nate] ain’t going to do it, I’ll take it. [Jake’s] got an older brother too, so don’t forget about the one and only.” Catch Diaz’s comments below (2:15):
Cory Sandhagen reveals “fully torn tricep” injury in first round against Rob Font at UFC Nashville
Cory Sandhagen recently revealed that he suffered a horrible injury during his fight against Rob Font last weekend. ‘The Sandman’ faced Font at UFC on ESPN 50 in Nashville in an uneventful three-round bantamweight contest. While Sandhagen secured a crucial unanimous decision victory, his performance was widely criticized for being boring. The bantamweight, who’s widely known for his striking skills, chose to wrestle his opponent for the majority of the fight. He picked up nearly 20 minutes of control time in the 25-minute contest, resulting in some of the lowest combined striking numbers in UFC history. Cory Sandhagen recently took to Instagram to offer an explanation for his grappling-heavy strategy. He revealed that he suffered a fully torn tricep muscle in the first round of the fight, which left him unable to strike effectively. In his post, he wrote: “Fully torn tricep in Round 1. Wasn’t able to punch or elbow with that arm without pain and it feeling like shit. Did what I had to do to win that night. Surgery this week – back soon! PEACE – LOVE YOU” Apart from surgery and physical rehab, Sandhagen has also been suspended for 180 days by the Tennessee Athletic Commission and will need to be cleared by a doctor before getting returning to active competition. Aljamain Sterling on Cory Sandhagen vs. Rob Font at UFC on ESPN 50 Aljamain Sterling wasn’t impressed by Cory Sandhagen’s performance against Rob Font. The reigning bantamweight champion recently took to social media to make his thoughts on the fight known and lambasted ‘The Sandman’ for not capitalizing on his opportunities. Sterling fought Sandhagen back in June 2020 and managed to beat the Colorado native via first-round submission. Being familiar with Sandhagen’s game, ‘Funk Master’ knew he could’ve done more in the fight despite his injury. In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Aljamain Sterling accused Cory Sandhagen of playing it too safe. He said: “I was honestly disappointed with his [Rob Font] lack of ability to get back to his feet… That’s tough, man. I know it was a short notice thing. Both guys had to make big adjustments but Font, he wanted it. Sandhagen, he wanted it. But the difference is that nobody showed that they want the next title shot with a definitive win.” He added: “The only thing that I will say is, [Sandhagen] had positions where he could have capitalized and done a lot of cool things with the dominant positions that he had and he just kinda chose to stay on top and just coast his way to the finish.” Watch the full video below:
Booker T’s opinion on Baron Corbin returning to WWE NXT
Baron Corbin’s Resurgence in WWE NXT Gains Positive Reception From WWE Hall of Famer & Current NXT Commentator Booker T. Baron Corbin’s Comeback in WWE NXT: From Main Roster Struggles to Prominence and Surprising Crowd Reactions Baron Corbin, the wrestler known for his tough journey through WWE’s main roster, has discovered a revitalized sense of purpose on “WWE NXT.” Since his return to the gold brand earlier this year, he engaged in a challenging match for the NXT Championship at the NXT Gold Rush event in June. This shift to NXT has reignited Corbin’s career, granting him a prominent role on the brand. One particular episode at NXT Great American Bash saw Corbin face Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson in a match that ultimately ended in a double count-out. Although the crowd’s reaction to the outcome was mixed, an interesting twist occurred during the match itself – Baron Corbin, previously known for his villainous persona, received cheers from the Texas audience. In contrast, Steveson faced jeers and chants criticizing him as not living up to WWE’s other Olympic champion, Kurt Angle. Commentator Booker T’s Praise for Corbin’s Resurgence on “NXT” The development of Corbin’s character and the surprising crowd reaction has been noted by commentators and wrestling enthusiasts alike. Booker T, a commentator on “NXT,” praised Corbin’s current run on the brand during a recent episode of “The Hall of Fame” podcast. He commended the video packages that spotlighted Corbin and emphasized how crucial it was for Corbin to have meaningful opportunities after appearing to lose direction on the main roster. Booker T remarked, “On the main roster, sometimes you can get stuck in a rut and find those moments where…I hate this term right here, ‘We ain’t got nothing for you.’ When you started hearing that, it’s a problem.” He expressed his satisfaction with Corbin’s return to “NXT,” allowing him to reinvent himself and demonstrating that the character and packages had a substantial impact on Corbin’s rejuvenation. Baron Corbin’s Acknowledgment of Audience Support and Personal Evolution Corbin himself shed light on his positive reception during an interview with Adrian Hernandez. He shared insights into the support he had been receiving from both fans and NXT’s decision-makers. Corbin shared, “The folks in charge at NXT have given me a lot of control and also let me step back when needed. At the Great American Bash event, I noticed that the crowd was cheering for me… It matters. I believe the audience, even if they’re frustrated with me sometimes, also want me to do well.” The response from the crowd reflects a desire to see Corbin flourish in his endeavors. After years of dedicating himself to WWE’s main roster without crossing certain boundaries or voicing complaints, Corbin believes it’s now his time to shine as himself, unapologetically. This recent evolution in his character, backed by the audience’s genuine reactions, showcases his determination to embrace a new chapter in his wrestling journey.
Triple H tweets about the new logo of Twitter mentioning Elon Musk
At present, Triple H holds the reins of WWE’s creative team and has addressed Elon Musk’s recent tweets concerning his preferred fighting style. Triple H Responds to Elon Musk’s WWE Challenge: A Battle of Titans in the Making Elon Musk, the former CEO of Twitter and now the head of X, has been engaging in a public rivalry with Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta/Facebook. Speculation has been rife about the possibility of these tech giants engaging in a sanctioned physical match, and recent developments suggest that this clash might become a reality. Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg Tease Potential Showdown: WWE’s Involvement and Triple H’s Offer Trading verbal jabs and showing a strong inclination for a genuine cage fight, both Musk and Zuckerberg seem poised to enter the ring. Musk, in a recent tweet, even humorously declared WWE as his chosen fighting style for their potential showdown. In response to Musk’s tweet, Triple H, the current head of WWE’s creative team, has chimed in. He expressed his willingness to assist Musk, referencing his familiarity with the iconic “X” sign from D-Generation X. “Say the word, @elonmusk. I know a thing or two about making an X sign.”Triple H Triple H, who plays an active role in organizing wrestling matches, might offer Musk valuable insights. The question remains whether Triple H will align himself with Musk when he faces off against Zuckerberg in the anticipated cage fight. Triple H’s Past Challenge to Elon Musk While Triple H has transitioned from in-ring competition to overseeing WWE’s creative direction, his passion for wrestling remains undiminished. Back in 2021, when Musk displayed what Triple H saw as disrespect toward the industry, The King of Kings didn’t take kindly to it. He threw down a public challenge during an appearance on the Good Time show, presenting an unconventional proposition for a match. “If you’re not showing respect for what we do, I’m prepared to meet you and take you on. Elon Musk, if you’re brave enough, you can step up to the test.” let’s discuss something I’ve been eager to talk about. Let’s take one of your rockets, launch it from Florida, and travel to Mars, accompanied by a team from my Performance Center. Once on Mars, we’ll create the most spectacular event the universe has ever witnessed – WrestleMania Mars,” Triple H stated. Forging New Ties Despite past grievances, it appears that Triple H is open to putting differences aside for a friendly confrontation and potential business ventures with Elon Musk. The 13-time WWE Champion seems willing to collaborate with Musk despite his earlier actions. The prospect of Triple H aligning with Elon Musk against Mark Zuckerberg raises curiosity. Would you support this alliance? Share your thoughts below.