Smackdown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey will put her title on the line at next month’s WWE Money in the Bank 2022 event. During last night’s Smackdown, commentators, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee announced that the champion will defend against Natalya at the next premium live event scheduled in the WWE calendar.
Last week, WWE held a six-pack challenge on Smackdown to determine the number one contender to Ronda Rousey’s SmackDown Women’s Title. Natalya emerged victorious in that match that also involved Shotzi, Aliyah, Shayna Baszler, Xia Li, and Raquel Rodriguez. Natalya pinned Shotzi to become the next official challenger to the title from the blue brand.
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This week, Ronda Rousey appeared in a promo session on Smackdown where she stated that she can’t wait to show Natalya that her arm bar is far superior to the cheap imitation of the Sharpshooter that is a pendant of her Uncle Bret Hart.
Shotzi would interrupt the session and talk the champion into a non-title match that was hosted in a Championship Contender’s capacity meaning that if Shotzi would have won then she would also earn a championship match against the champion.
However, Ronda Rousey defeated Shotzi in that non-title match with ease. After some judo throws and strikes, the champion powered up Shotzi for Piper’s Pit and then tapped her out with the armbar submission.
Natalya attacked Ronda Rousey before their MITB battle
After the match, the number-one contender for the women’s title, Natalya attacked the winner and applied the Sharpshooter. Referees came out and begged her to let go after which she released the hold Natalya later admitted that it was a message for Ronda Rousey before the two collides over the SmackDown Women’s Title at Money in the Bank PLE.
These two women have quite a history on WWE TV as they acted as a team on several occasions in 2018 and 2019. Natalya was also Ronda Rousey’s training partner when the latter transitioned into pro-wrestling from MMA. Plus, Nattie also challenged Rousey for the Raw Women’s Championship in December 2018.
Ronda Rousey is holding the SmackDown Women’s Title since defeating Charlotte Flair in an I Quit Match at WrestleMania Backlash premium live event in May. The match against Natalya will mark her second title defense.
