In a previous post I recapped the Rumble and discussed Ronda signing with WWE. The buzz on the internet has been mixed, however.
Most are happy to see Ronda signed with WWE, but MANY have complained about her "ruining Asuka's moment" by coming out at the end of the Rumble. The complaints aren't just coming from IWC nerds on Twitter either. Respected WWE journalists such as Justin Barrasso from SI, Brandon Stroud of Uproxx and others have accused Rousey of stealing a moment.
Point blank, that is a terrible take, for the following reasons:
Asuka won. She was announced as the winner. Her music played. The crowd popped huge. Confetti fell. She climbed the ropes and pointed to the Wrestlemania sign. She will forever be known as the first woman to win a Royal Rumble. She will be in video packages forever. That's quite a moment.
Asuka is the most protected star in the history of WWE to this point. She has NEVER lost. How long of a moment does she need?
Charlotte and Alexa were already in the ring before Ronda appeared, so if a moment was ruined, why blame Ronda?
Since when has the Rumble winner immediately announced who they want to face at Mania in the ring right after winning? Never. It has literally never been a thing, so why are we talking about it now? Let it play out on Raw and in the coming weeks - after all, there is still another pay per view between now and Mania. What, do you want to get burned out by a 2 month long feud? If Asuka challenged Alexa, buy the time we got to Mania we'd be sick of them feuding.
5a. Don't we like cliff hangers that carry over to the next show and give us a reason to tune in?
5b. Don't we like shocking surprises and twists?
5c. Don't fans complain about 5a and 5b not happening often enough?
6a. Ronda only enhanced the moment. Asuka's name and face will be appearing in many more places because of Ronda than they would have otherwise. Coverage of her is off the charts now.
6b. TMZ, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, the main ESPN homepage, USA Today, Fortune all covered the women's royal rumble because of Ronda. That doesn't happen otherwise. Asuka doesn't show up in those places otherwise.
6c. Ronda being in WWE will benefit every woman on the roster via more exposure and more money. Sharing a 'moment' will her only helps Asuka
WWE is SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT. They tell stories and create moments. They create buzz, trend on social media, and get people talking. Asuka winning the Rumble then Ronda Rousey showing up was a massive moment. The clip will be playing in many places over and over for a very long time, and Asuka was in it.
This isn't pro sports where the winner gets to celebrate on a podium uninterrupted. People get attacked after wins, get money in the bank contracts cashed in on them immediately after title wins, all the time. There is no where that it is precedent that each winner is deserving of some long drawn out celebration. It's on to the next step in the story line ASAP.
Do people complain about actors being in other actors scenes and stealing moments? This is a tv show. Its SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT.
Do you actually feel like a moment was ruined, or are you just saying that because someone else did and you like criticizing WWE? Don't be a sheep.
Asuka had her moment for long enough that I left the arena assuming the show was over so I missed Ronda's appearance. If there was enough time for a moment to be stolen, I wouldn't have had time to leave.
It's SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT.
To add, Nikki Bella and Nia Jax have tweeted critical comments of Ronda's appearance as they felt it overshadowed the women's Rumble. I strongly disagree and that is a very short sighted opinion of them. Ronda is a MAJOR name in sports and entertainment, she is going to generate more eyeballs and more ticket sales, and that only benefits everyone else. If they can't see that, then I feel bad for them. And I tell you want, being engaged to John Cena and cousin's with The Rock, they should realize that more than anyone else.
In closing, if you have the opinion that Ronda ruined Asuka's moment, then you are both wrong, and a loser.