MMA: Ronda Rousey widely praised for better-than-expected WrestleMania showing

Ronda Rousey finishes Julia Budd with an armbar submission during their fight in 2011. Photo / Getty Images.

Ronda Rousey had never wrestled before. Despite being a long-reigning UFC champion she'd never competed in front of 75,000 fans either.

But like she did while becoming the most feared woman on the planet during her mixed martial arts career, Rousey showed an ability to perform on the big stage at WrestleMania 34.

Of Ronda Rousey's 12 career mixed martial arts wins, nine came from an armbar. He first in the WWE came the same way.

After signing with the WWE earlier in January, all eyes were on Rousey as she debuted in a mixed tag team match which saw her and fellow Olympian Kurt Angle pitted against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

Rousey made an eye-catching, paying tribute to legend Rowdy Roddy Piper by wearing not only his jacket — but also a kilt.

She was relegated to spectator duties for the early stages of the match as Angle was pummelled by Triple H.

But when she finally got her shot at McMahon she made the most of it, hitting her with clotheslines, judo tosses and punching combinations.

McMahon fought back but had to be saved by Triple H after being slammed to the canvas. The action spilt outside the ring as Angle and Triple H fought on the announcer's table.

Rousey then had her opportunity to square off with Triple H, hitting him with punches and lifting him on top of her shoulders. McMahon prevented her husband being tossed — but Angle re-entered to continue the beating.

Triple H managed to land a pedigree, but Rousey saved Angle from being counted out. She then locked in an armbar on Triple H, forcing McMahon to come to the rescue.

Rousey was taken out by friendly fire as Triple H catapulted Angle into her. But she recovered and locked in another armbar on McMahon to finish the match.

The reaction was almost universally positive.

Wow! @RondaRousey you’re my hero! Welcome to the @WWE! Can’t wait to see what more you do in our women’s division! N

— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) April 9, 2018

Well @RondaRousey outperformed the expectations of pretty much everyone, myself included. One HELL of a debut under monumental pressure. I'm overwhelmingly impressed. #WrestleMania

— Paul Lazenby (@MaulerMMA) April 9, 2018

Use this at bottom of all stories To get the day's top sports stories in your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here