25 years ago, Mike Tyson, then undefeated, defended his undisputed boxing championship in Tokyo against James "Buster" Douglas. Douglas scored the biggest win of his career, knocking out Tyson and winning the title.
If memory serves me correctly, this was Tyson's 1st fight outside of the US, though I could be wrong about that.
Why do I bring this up?
Because it serves as a stunning parallel to the "shocking" upset last night in Australia. Ronda Rousey, the golden girl of the UFC, lost the bantamweight title to former boxer Holly Holm in the 2nd round. Unlike Tyson, Rousey fought in other parts of the world before last night's fight, and had already made her mark in movies ("The Expendables 3", for example), something Tyson would do years later. Rousey had dominated her last few fights, the last three of which all ended mere seconds into the first round. Holm, it turned out, was ready for Rousey's blitzkrieg-style attack, and knocked Rousey moments into the 2nd round.
Three years of domination, gone, just like that. Surely, not only was Dana White watching and counting his money, but so was Vince McMahon.
After Rousey's guest appearance at Wrestlemania 31 in March, speculation began that Rousey would join forces with the People's Movie Star, the Rock, at next year's Show of Shows in Arlington, Texas, possibly against the Authority (Triple H & Stephanie McMahon). It is known, of course, that Steph is also friends with Rousey and the Four Horsewomen, making that match a distinct possibility. While I doubt that Rousey has fought for the last time in the Octagon, as she is likely to get a rematch vs. Holm, I wouldn't put it past the senile Vince to wave enough money to buy Rousey's contract. It's up to Rousey & White to decide whether it's, ah, best for business.
And, really, it wouldn't be. McMahon won't cede control to HHH & Stephanie, keeping them from using the creative booking that has made NXT so hot the last couple of years. Vince is stuck in the late 20th century, and won't move forward. Left in the hands of inferior Hollywood scribes, Rousey would be misused at first, likely as a heel bodyguard (Tamina Snuka flopped twice in that role already), before being "turned loose" on competition. No, the best move is for Rousey to take care of "unfinished business" in UFC, as, really, she is their only real star right now, aside from Conor McGregor on the men's side. If her schedule permits, she'll be at Wrestlemania 32, but probably no later than Summerslam next August in Brooklyn.
In wrestling parlance, Rousey made a new star with Holm defeating her. White can build UFC's women's classes around the two of them, and, if he can sign her, Cris Cyborg, for years to come. A former WWE champ, CM Punk, aka Phil Brooks, is due to debut for UFC sometime next year. If he succeeds, White will be happy, and I'd not be surprised if he tried to rub it in Vince's face. Hmmmm. Come to think of it, if Rock needs a partner vs. the Authority and Rousey's not available, maybe Punk returns to WWE for a 1-shot finale?
Ah, the possibilities. All I can say is, stay tuned.
