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Ronda Rousey’s Promo Ahead of WWE Evolution Was Neither Progressive Nor Endearing

Ronda Rousey is supposed to be WWE’s leading babyface on the women’s side. A character that leads by example for kids to look up to, and inspire people to better themselves. They’re larger than life heroes that are able to overcome villains without stooping to their lows. However, on Monday Night RAW we were treated to Rousey, the supposed hero, taking cheap shots and accusing both Nikki and Brie Bella of sleeping around in order to progress their careers.

“Everything that the Divas era stood for made me sick to my stomach,” said Rousey. “I was too naive to see that you guys are the embodiment of a stereotype.” She went on to say insinuate that the duo were “do nothing bitches,” a phrase Rousey popularized during her combat sports career, and attacked them for their relationships. “You leeched off the name of your men. You plagiarize and dilute their move-sets. You’re not pioneers…The only door you ever knocked down was the door to John Cena’s bedroom, and he eventually threw you out of that exact same door.”

This verbal barrage comes right before WWE Evolution, an event that Rousey and Nikki Bella will headline. It’s being celebrated as a huge step forward for women’s wrestling, and it’s certainly important as the company’s first all female pay-per-view event. However, how can we act as if progress is really being made when it’s being promoted by slut shaming and diminishing the accomplishments of others?

It’s disappointing to see WWE taking such a lazy storytelling attempt with this event. WWE Evolution should acknowledge the company’s missteps, but never mock the talent that were simply following orders of Vince McMahon and his team. If characters were overly sexualized, who is to blame? It’s not the actresses that had no say in the manner and were simply trying to do the best they could with what they were given.

The story of Nikki Bella versus Ronda Rousey should be a simple one. It’s two iconic WWE stars clashing for the first time. They’re the two most popular female stars in the company as far as social media impact goes, and the match could’ve sold itself by simply being a once in a lifetime event. The pettiness hasn’t helped the feud, it just makes Ronda Rousey feel like a poor hero. One that claims to be progressive, but is happy to slut shame if it’s an easy diss to her opponent.

If WWE actually wants to be progressive, they have to show it through their actions. There’s more to it than simply giving female performers a stage.

RELATED: The Bella Twins Wanted AJ Lee To Return At WWE Evolution

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