Ronda Rousey got the babyface treatment when she returned at this year's Royal Rumble pay-per-view, but this wasn't exactly the way WWE planned it.
That's according to the current SmackDown Women's Champion herself. After a WWE hiatus that lasted nearly three years, Rousey made her long-awaited WWE return in the women's Royal Rumble match. The Baddest Woman on the Planet last eliminated Charlotte Flair to clinch a trip to WrestleMania 38 weekend.
During an interview on "The DC Check-In" with Daniel Cormier (h/t WrestlingInc.com), Rousey revealed that the idea was actually for her to return as a heel. However, the thundering cheers from the fans in St. Louis, Missouri left WWE no choice but to book Rousey as a babyface following the Royal Rumble.
"I was supposed to come back as a heel! Vince was like, 'Well, they popped for her real big so she’s a babyface now,'" Rousey explained, adding that she was told "to smile" for the post-Royal Rumble edition of Raw.
Rousey challenged Flair for the SmackDown Women's Championship at WrestleMania 38 weekend in Arlington, Texas. Though The Queen emerged victorious over The Baddest Woman on the Planet, Rousey managed to gain the championship in their rematch at WrestleMania Backlash.
Natalya, Rousey's former friend, will challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Saturday's Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
Other WWE Stars Recently Experienced Something Similar
Rousey, of course, isn't the only WWE talent who recently received the babyface treatment when they were supposed to be a heel upon returning. Becky Lynch returned at SummerSlam 2021 last year following a hiatus that lasted over a year, and many fans cheered when she quickly defeated Bianca Belair to become the new SmackDown Women's Champion.
Roman Reigns returned as a heel at SummerSlam 2020 by attacking Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman following their Universal title bout. Reigns has been pushed as the company's top villain ever since, but of course, a large number of the WWE Universe has sided with Reigns during his run.
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