The superb video packages from the week prior to SummerSlam are shown again before Ronda Rousey makes her ring walk. Some cheers are mixed in, but it’s mostly boos greeting her. Conversely, it’s mostly cheers for Shayna Baszler as she heads toward the ring.
There’s no cage for this MMA Rules match, but both women have on MMA gloves. They certainly are fighting like it’s MMA with strikes and takedowns to start.
Rousey is able to take Baszler’s back and attempt an armbar, but Shayna makes it out and to her feet fairly quickly. Baszler lands a leg kick that backs Rousey off.
Shayna scores with a big head kick that sends Ronda to the floor. She walks into a double leg takedown when she returns, and the two women battle on the mat while the fans seem to be growing restless.
That changes somewhat when Rousey knocks Baszler down, though the ref gives Shayna time to recover. Ronda puts her right back down and stuffs a takedown attempt, pounding her former friend on the back.
Baszler is able to hoist Rousey up and both women tumble over the top rope to the floor. They both return to the ring as Baszler is slumped in one corner, and doctors come in to check on her as the crowd boos.
Rousey attacks the docs and yells at Baszler. They battle it out in the middle of the ring, where Shayna’s suplex sets up a rear naked choke attempt. Rousey transitions into an armbar, but Shayna counters into an ankle lock.
Now Rousey pivots to a rear naked choke as “this is boring” chant breaks out. Baszler has her hooks in, with Rousey working her arm to escape. But Ronda finally goes out, bringing this strange hybrid match to an end.
Check out full WWE SummerSlam 2023 results here.