From the WWE Rumor Mill: Reason why Ronda Rousey failed to appear on Raw
What's the story?
Ronda Rousey failed to appear on the most recent episode of Raw despite being advertised to show up on every episode leading up to WrestleMania 34 and it seems that the former UFC fighter will not return to Raw until the go-home episode.
In case you didn't know...
As confirmed last week by Kurt Angle, Ronda Rousey will make her in-ring debut in a tag team match against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon with the Raw general manager by her side. The newest addition to the roster was expected to be on Raw last night to progress the feud but it wasn't meant t be so.
WWE.com ran a story a few weeks back announcing Rousey's appearance on every episode of Raw until WrestleMania. However, her absence on last night's Raw came as a surprise to many and there's a rather embarrassing reason behind the no-show.
The heart of the matter
According to a report from POST Wrestling, a source in the WWE informed them that the article published on the WWE website wasn't approved by the officials and went up without the final go-ahead.
With Brock Lesnar currently involved in a 'no-show' angle himself, WWE had concerns about Rousey also adopting a similar storyline but eventually chose to keep her off television.
WWE has deleted the aforementioned article and as things stand, Rowdy will not be appearing on the following two Raw shows in Dallas and Ohio.
What's next?
Rousey will return on the final episode of Raw before WrestleMania on April 2nd and we're sure WWE would have lined up a special segment for their star attraction.
Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Kurt Angle, in the meantime, should do the dirty work on TV and get the feud moving.
Author's take
Not having a supposedly 'full-time' talent in Rousey on a weekly basis on Raw surely comes as a disappointment. However, it works in building up Rousey as a unique entity while also protecting her during the initial days.
This is ideally the time when you get your biggest names in front of the screen to hype up the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment history but WWE is willing to take the risk this time around.