Wrestling fans thought it was a forgone conclusion that Ronda Rousey would beat Charlotte Flair at night one of Saturday's WrestleMania 38 and walk out of AT&T Stadium with the SmackDown Women's Championship.
However, Flair had other things in mind as she upset Rousey to hand the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion her first defeat in one-on-one competition.
Rousey looked to have the match won as she hit Piper's Pit, but Flair's foot was on the rope as the referee counted to three. Rousey was upset with ref Charles Robinson, but the ruling stood.
Rousey went to get Flair but hit Robinson. Flair tried to take advantage, but Rousey snatched the arm for her patented armbar. Flair was tapping out, but Robinson was knocked out. Rousey picked Robinson up, but Flair hit the big boot for the surprise pinfall to the shock of the crowd in Arlington, Texas.
However, Flair had other things in mind as she upset Rousey to hand the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion her first defeat in one-on-one competition.
The match was ground-based, which took a little while for the crowd to get into it. Rousey was trying to win with the armbar or the ankle lock, which she learned from WWE Hall of Famer and all-time great Kurt Angle. Meanwhile, Flair was trying to make Rousey tap out to her figure-eight.
Rousey looked to have the match won as she hit Piper's Pit, but Flair's foot was on the rope as the referee counted to three. Rousey was upset with ref Charles Robinson, but the ruling stood.
Rousey went to get Flair but hit Robinson. Flair tried to take advantage, but Rousey snatched the arm for her patented armbar. Flair was tapping out, but Robinson was knocked out. Rousey picked Robinson up, but Flair hit the big boot for the surprise pinfall to the shock of the crowd in Arlington, Texas.