WWE Royal Rumble 2023 premium live event took place this past Saturday, January 28 which appeared to be the biggest gate in the annual event’s history. There have been some marquee matches to sell things out alongside the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches. However, it seems the company changed their plans for the blue brand women’s title match which was originally planned.
WWE surprised fans with the return of Charlotte Flair in the final episode of 2022 and on that same night, she defeated Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Before that December 30 episode of Friday Night Smackdown, Rousey defeated Raquel Rodriguez to retain the title and it was that match that was initially scheduled to feature on the Royal Rumble 2023 card.
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It seems like WWE reportedly didn’t have the plans for Rousey vs. Rodriguez match to happen on that night. Sean Sapp reported behind Fightful’s paywall that, “the last several weeks have seen some significant changes to the women’s title programs that were tentatively planned for the first quarter of WWE in 2023.” Obviously, that match was scrapped.
WWE Smackdown: Long Terms Plans Canceled For Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey’s original title defense was set for Royal Rumble 2023
The report proceeded to mention that Ronda Rousey’s SmackDown Women’s Title match against Raquel Rodriguez was not supposed to happen until “a month later.” They were not reportedly scheduled to dance in the ring until around Royal Rumble 2023. But the plans obviously changed ahead of the PLE and Rousey’s dud run came to an end to make the fans happy.
The preponing of Rousey and Raquel’s match from Royal Rumble 2023, Charlotte Flair’s subsequent return, and the championship changes also fall in line to make some significant creative changes. It was also noted that “several WWE plans have changed as a result of this in relation to it.”
Ronda vs. Rhea Ripley was rumored before Rumble
Apparently, Charlotte Flair was “tentatively scheduled” on a “suggested matches list” to face Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s Championship, possibly at WrestleMania 39 but then she ended up returning on SmackDown. Rhea Ripley was supposed to take on Ronda Rousey following Royal Rumble 2023 “but that’s when Rousey was still Champion.”
It was said that “Rousey was presented with several creative options, but they didn’t work out.” At that point, they decided to cancel the SmackDown Women’s Title match with Raquel Rodriguez from Royal Rumble 2023. They rather put the title on Charlotte Flair and kept Rousey off the TV for a few weeks.
