Ronda Rousey played an interesting characteristic heading into her Smackdown Women’s Championship match against Liv Morgan at Extreme Rules. With tremendous aggression in her arsenal, it was evident that she was going to turn heel but WWE possibly held the turn back due to positive reactions ahead of the PLE.
Then, The Baddest Women on the Planet reclaimed the title at the premium live event on October 8 for the second time in her career and thereafter WWE made her an official heel superstar. This is the second time in her WWE career that she will possibly portray the role of a full-fledged villain on TV.
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Previously, speaking in an interview, Ronda Rousey revealed that she wants to follow in the footsteps of WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. In fact, she has used the “Rowdy” nickname in honor of Piper since the very beginning of her mixed martial arts career in the late 2000s. The legendary pro-wrestler has admittedly inspired the UFC Hall of Famer to a deep extent.
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Ronda Rousey is a huge fan of WWE Legend Roddy Piper
Recently, Ronda Rousey’s heartwarming experience was shared during a conversation with ESPN. Apparently, Piper’s son, Colton Toombs, came backstage before the UFC star’s appearance in the women’s Royal Rumble match and he presented her with his father’s jacket. This gesture almost made Rousey cry, according to Ramona Shelburne.
“I didn’t spend that much time with him, but he was such a huge influence on my life,” Rousey herself said to ESPN. “He really made me realize how big of a responsibility I have because of what he did for me mostly from afar.”
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Also, Ronda Rousey told the same source that it was Piper who had previously given her the approval to use the nickname ‘Rowdy’ when they met during a training session, many years ago. The two-time Smackdown Women’s Champion also dedicated her match at UFC 190 to Piper after the wrestling star passed away in 2015.
Since debuting in the WWE, Ronda Rousey continued to use the “Rowdy” nickname and she often comes out to the ring in a leather jacket similar to what Piper used to wear. Starting her professional wrestling career in 2018, the UFC Legend has already carved a WWE Hall of Fame career for herself by becoming a three-time champion in the company alongside a Royal Rumble win.
