Opinion: How WWE should book Ronda Rousey when she arrives
When Ronda Rousey made her entrance at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, the world of wrestling and mainstream media went into meltdown - some people loved it, some people hated it.
One of the biggest concerns around Ronda Rousey arriving in WWE is the idea that she'll be pushed to the moon immediately because of her name. Several people believe Ronda Rousey will either end Asuka's undefeated streak prematurely, win the RAW Women's Championship - or both.
Well, I have an idea on how WWE should book Ronda Rousey in a way that will keep her as a completely separate attraction from the WWE Women's Championship, at least for a while anyway - and one which could even see Rousey hold a belt of her own.
With the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion signing a full-time contract at this Sunday's Elimination Chamber, the WWE Universe is rife with speculation around where Rowdy will slide into the division.
Having spotted a video of Ronda training, reportedly from four years ago, I think she'll do incredibly well working a pro wrestling style. Her selling already looks great and that's possibly my main worry when it comes to Ronda Rousey.
However, my idea for booking Ronda Rousey does not involve her defeating Asuka, nor carrying the RAW or SmackDown Women's Championships.
I think Ronda Rousey should be introduced to the WWE Universe much in the way that I think she probably will be - a hard-hitting, dominant, UFC style submission specialist... Yep, not too far off of who she actually is.
But I think Ronda Rousey should have her own championship belt. Yep, whether it's the RAW after Elimination Chamber or the RAW after a showcase match at WrestleMania that will undoubtedly see Stephanie McMahon tap out to an Armbar, I think Ronda Rousey should come to WWE with a very basic looking belt - the WWE Tapout Championship. (Possibly even sponsored by the sports company which WWE already have several ties to.)
If not, just call it the WWE Submission Championship or something similar - but either way, have Rousey use her unique Armbar and have people tap immediately, this way she will still look like a legitimate fighter during her transition to pro wrestler and will, much like Brock Lesnar, blur the lines between the two.
Have Ronda Rousey debut against enhancement talent with the Championship, telling the world that she can submit anyone in the world, you could even add a time limit, and she's willing to defend her Championship every week (or whenever she's on TV) to prove it.
By doing this, WWE could both give Ronda Rousey the slow build she needs to get over with the hardcore fans, while also making her a special attraction and one which will keep casual fans wanting more.
If you wanted to go all in, you could even take a leaf out of Ken Shamrock's book and bring back the Lion's Den.
But you don't have to go that far. In fact, you could even have Ronda Rousey work as a free agent, although it looks like she'll be RAW only, and run through the entire roster from bottom to top in a slow build to Asuka or Charlotte.
I don't think it's the route WWE will take, but I'd love to see Ronda Rousey come out on RAW every week with her own custom championship, issuing an open challenge to anyone in the back - and them subsequently submitting every woman on the roster, and enhancement talent and NXT talent, before eventually giving the rub to whoever finally manages to make her tap out.
Armbar v Armbar match v Asuka at a future WrestleMania with both stars undefeated?
Book it, WWE.