Backstage Notes On Ronda Rousey's WWE Status & Name, Nia Jax - Beth Phoenix Exchange, Goldust - MMC
- Goldust's new partner for WWE's Mixed Match Challenge will be revealed on tonight's Facebook Watch episode. As noted, Alicia Fox was pulled from the MMC due to a broken tailbone that she is recovering from. Tonight's MMC Week 3 match-up will feature Becky Lynch and Sami Zayn vs. RAW Women's Champion Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman. Facebook fans have been voting on who will start the match today, Becky or Sami. Above is video of Goldust hyping the reveal of his new leading lady, saying we do not want to miss it.
- ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, who was the first to interview Ronda Rousey on her new WWE deal, reports that for months Rousey has been training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando late at night when no one else is there but Rousey and a select few. Rousey would travel to the Performance Center at night while filming the "Mile 22" movie in Atlanta. We've known for a while now that Rousey had been training in the ring and we noted earlier this week how some of the WWE Superstars she recently trained with were Natalya, Becky Lynch and SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair. Rousey was not at Monday's RAW as she flew back to Colombia to work on the same movie.
Shelburne added that Rousey is "close to fighting shape" and word from other reports this week is that her first match will take place at WrestleMania 34, rumored to be a mixed tag team match with an unknown partner vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Rousey's last MMA fight came on December 30th, 2016 – a loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. Her last fight before that was on November 14th, 2015 – a loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193. In regards to Rousey's name, WWE will not own the rights as she recently applied for three trademarks to the "Rowdy Ronda Rousey" name.
- Nia Jax and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix had the following Twitter exchange after facing off in the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match on Sunday:
"Some women fear the fire. Some women simply become it." ?? to say I was honored to share the ring with this incredible woman, would”t even do it justice. Beth @TheBethPhoenix , thank you ???? I hope it's not the last moment we get to share in the ring ?? pic.twitter.com/5WxIp9PQmk
? Nia Jax (@NiaJaxWWE) January 29, 2018
??thank u @NiaJaxWWE https://t.co/dhtdptu5Fw
? Beth Copeland (@TheBethPhoenix) January 29, 2018
What an honor the share the ring with @NiaJaxWWE ...such an incredible young talent with a bright future! Phillie brought tears to my eyes and chills to my spine! Thank you @WWE for the chance to lace up those old boots. #WomensRoyalRumble
? Beth Copeland (@TheBethPhoenix) January 29, 2018