Mick Foley believes Ronda Rousey’s presence allowed women to main event WWE Wrestlemania
Mick Foley, a revered WWE Hall of Famer, has acknowledged the significant contribution Ronda Rousey made to the world of women’s wrestling during her limited time in WWE. Despite the mixed reactions Rousey received during her tenure, Foley highlights her influence, particularly in the context of women’s wrestling. Rousey’s involvement, according to Foley, played a pivotal role in the historic moment when women headlined WrestleMania, showcasing the progression and impact of women’s wrestling in WWE. Foley sees Ronda Rousey as important catalyst for WWE Women Foley credits Rousey with being a catalyst for change in WWE’s approach to women’s wrestling. Rousey’s presence and her involvement in high-profile matches led to transformative moments in WWE history. Foley underscores that without Rousey’s contributions, it would have been improbable for WWE to showcase a women’s match as the main event of WrestleMania, a feat that was achieved in 2019 when Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch competed in a triple threat match for the Women’s Championships. The 2019 WrestleMania marked a pivotal moment in women’s wrestling, with Rousey’s involvement helping to redefine the perception of women’s matches. The triple threat match she participated in was groundbreaking, as it was the first time women headlined the prestigious event. Foley also notes that since that moment, women have continued to headline subsequent WrestleMania events, highlighting the enduring impact of Rousey’s influence. Foley recalls Rousey’s remarkable WWE debut at WrestleMania 34 when she teamed up with Kurt Angle to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. This match left a lasting impression on him, as it exemplified Rousey’s commitment to her new career. Despite her limited professional wrestling experience at the time, Rousey displayed a strong work ethic and dedication, which significantly contributed to her successful transition into WWE. Ronda Rousey will look back at WWE as missed chance Foley also reflected on the anticipated singles match between Rousey and Becky Lynch that never came to fruition. He acknowledges that Rousey’s second WWE run might not have been as emotionally invested as her first, given her evolving priorities as a mother. Despite this, Foley maintains that Rousey’s first run, marked by her impactful debut and contributions to women’s wrestling, will be a significant part of her legacy in the industry. Foley lauds Rousey’s rapid progress in WWE, likening her development to that of wrestling legends such as Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and The Rock. He acknowledges that Rousey’s journey wasn’t without challenges, notably her promo skills. However, he emphasizes that her contribution to the industry, along with her dedication to improving in the ring, cannot be overlooked. While Rousey’s recent WWE stint seems to have concluded, Foley’s appreciation for her impact remains steadfast. He commends her role in elevating women’s wrestling, reiterating her influence on the women’s main event movement at WrestleMania. Despite any criticisms, Foley encourages fans to acknowledge Rousey’s contributions to WWE and recognize her as a significant figure in the evolution of women’s wrestling.
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.
Kurt Angle Expresses Disappointment Over Match with Mick Foley
Pittsburgh’s own wrestling giant, Kurt Angle, known for carrying WWE during its tumultuous times in the early 2000s, expressed his regret over not having the chance to wrestle with another titan of the industry, Mick Foley, in their prime. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, Angle’s in-ring prowess is undeniable, with several of his matches still being cited as classics for their entertainment value and the technical acumen he displayed. While Foley had retired by the time Angle had become a main event player, he continued to make sporadic appearances for the company. It was only when the paths of these two legendary wrestlers crossed in IMPACT Wrestling in 2009 that they got a chance to square off inside the ring. Reflections from the Kurt Angle Show Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, the Olympic Gold Medalist reflected on his rivalry with Foley and the match they had. To the disappointment of many fans, Angle admitted his dissatisfaction with how their face-off panned out. “If I was 100% healthy, I could have made the match look a lot better,” Angle lamented. “I wish Mick and I could have wrestled in our prime. At this point in time, Mick was a little bit past his prime.” Angle parted ways with Vince McMahon’s WWE in 2006 but returned for a retirement run after being inducted into the Hall of Fame 11 years later. Foley’s last in-ring appearance to date was the Royal Rumble match in 2012. The clash between Angle and Foley, albeit not in their prime, was a significant event that sent ripples through the wrestling community. With both competitors well-respected for their storied careers, many fans hoped that they would finally see a clash of titans. However, both Angle and Foley were past their prime by the time they faced off, leading to a match that, in Angle’s words, could have been better. A Missed Clash of Titans It is a sentiment echoed by many wrestling enthusiasts who would have loved to see the collision between Angle’s technical mastery and Foley’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense style at the height of their respective careers. While the face-off in IMPACT Wrestling provided a taste of what could have been, it is a bitter-sweet reminder of a missed opportunity for a dream match-up. The regret expressed by Angle underscores the fleeting nature of professional wrestling, where stars may rise and fall before dream match-ups can come to fruition. It is a stark reminder to fans and the industry alike to seize opportunities for iconic match-ups when the competitors are still in their prime, creating spectacles that would forever be etched in the annals of wrestling history.
