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00:01The following contest is for the Raw Women's Championship.
00:09Introducing first the challenger from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Natalya.
00:22Her opponent from Venice, California, she is the Raw Women's Champion.
00:28The baddest woman on the planet, Rowdy, Ronda Rousey.
00:36The look on Ronda's face tonight, she looks stressed out about this.
00:40So remember last week, Ronda Rousey issued an open challenge.
00:44Stephanie McMahon made it a gauntlet match, which Natalya won.
00:47And that is how we get to this point here tonight.
00:50Corey, I'm gonna talk to you right now about strategy for the challenger, Natalya.
00:55Well, ordinarily, Natalya can rely on her power advantage and
00:59her submission ability, but when it comes to submission skills, you simply can't be in
01:03that conversation with Ronda Rousey, maybe the best in the entire division.
01:06Do you think Natalya has an edge, though, because she actually trains and spars with
01:10her friend, Ronda Rousey?
01:11It's one thing to train and spar with somebody.
01:14You might find a hitch in their throw or a little bit of an upper hand, but
01:18when you're training and sparring with your friends, you don't go full speed.
01:21You don't go 100%, and you certainly don't show everything that you know.
01:25It could be the exact same thing said the other way for Ronda, depending on what
01:29she's gonna get from Natty tonight.
01:30You think Natty's gonna show all of her cards to somebody like Ronda Rousey?
01:33The difference in this situation is there's a lot of footage in WWE available
01:37of Natalya.
01:38Ronda Rousey, I'm sure, has done her homework.
01:42Whereas Ronda Rousey's only had a handful of matches in WWE.
01:45She's still building her resume.
01:47There's only so much footage to study.
01:48Valid point, but these two women are so incredibly matched.
01:51Shoulder down by Ronda and a stalemate.
01:54Hey, listen, Natalya said that 2018 was the most difficult year of her life.
01:59She said it's made her stronger, more focused.
02:02And this is not just about her being a friendly competitor tonight.
02:07This is about her challenging Ronda to become champion.
02:10Natty's always just wanted to be the best at this from day one, ever since she
02:13graduated from the Heart Dungeon.
02:15And that's where these two have these similarities.
02:18Ronda grew up.
02:18Her mom's a judo champion.
02:20Ronda grew up with the Heart family nearby.
02:22I mean, these women know what it means to be a champion.
02:25You know what?
02:25I'm wondering if there's any resentment, any hidden resentment from Natalya in that
02:31she did spend her entire life to get here.
02:33Ronda Rousey burst onto the scene and went straight to the top of the mountain in record
02:37time.
02:37It's not like Ronda's just been waiting in the side.
02:39I mean, this woman's been winning championships all over the world.
02:42Nice shoulder tackle cover by Ronda to retain, kick out by Natalya.
02:46It's obviously not something to sneeze at.
02:48It's not like Ronda's not a hard worker.
02:50No one would say that.
02:51The thing about Ronda Rousey, we mentioned this at the TLC pay-per-view a couple of
02:54weeks ago, is how rapid she has improved here in WWE since she burst on the scene.
03:01It's unbelievable just to see the way that she's adapted, to see the respect from the
03:05other WWE superstars, the way that they now interact with Ronda Rousey.
03:11I think there's a lot of doubters, a lot of people that wanted to see how she was going
03:14to be able to survive here.
03:16And she's thriving.
03:17I mean, she's been the Raw Women's Champion for the better part of the year.
03:20Hey, they may respect Ronda Rousey, but make no mistake about it, everyone wants to
03:25knock her off to become the Raw Women's Champion.
03:28Ronda has a bullseye, Natalya with the latest opportunity.
03:34I think that bullseye is multiplied exponentially because of the name value of
03:39Ronda Rousey.
03:40Nice.
03:41And almost a pinfall there.
03:44Now the women in this division, they don't just beat the Raw Women's Champion,
03:47they beat the Raw Women's Champion, Rowdy Ronda Rousey.
03:50And I think at that point, again, Ronda rolling through.
03:54Ronda's looking for the arm bar.
03:55Trying to fight out of this now.
03:57Natalya now.
03:58I'm sure Natalya's been working on her arm bar defense, but I don't know if that'll be
04:02enough, Ronda's almost got a triangle locked in.
04:06Natalya just trying to survive here, look at Ronda.
04:09Ronda's got a deep arsenal.
04:12Lethal.
04:15Natalya able to skate momentarily.
04:19Natalya's slowing the match down.
04:21Wondering when Natalya's gonna start to doubt herself.
04:24So far, basically all the grappling techniques she's attempted.
04:27Rousey has answered and then some.
04:29Cover.
04:30And a kick out by Natalya.
04:32What we saw from Natalya to even earn this opportunity to face Ronda Rousey.
04:36She's got fighting her, she's ready to go the distance.
04:38You look at that eight woman gauntlet match, she earned the spot.
04:40The point you were making earlier, Corey, about beating Ronda Rousey, a nice single
04:45eight take down by Natalya into a submission move of her own.
04:48Give up, Ronda!
04:49Got a modified Indian Death Lock.
04:51You not only beat the champion, but you get the recognition of knocking off one of the
04:56most famous competitors in the entire world.
05:01Natalya would love to add that to her resume.
05:04As with all the women on the Monday Night Raw roster, and all of WWE.
05:08Ronda now, great counter.
05:09Beautiful leg pick, right back to the side headlock.
05:13Everything that Rousey does is so fluid.
05:15Another pinning combination in an airfall yet again.
05:18She's so quick.
05:18There's little things that Ronda does that sometimes takes years to pick up on
05:22inside the ring.
05:23Notice how when Ronda applies every pinfall, she's up on her toes,
05:27putting maximum pressure down on her opponent's shoulders.
05:29And look at Natalya now, brawling with Ronda Rousey.
05:33One, two.
05:34Ronda with a leg scissors around the waist of Natalya.
05:37This has been an incredibly competitive, even match between these two.
05:48It's noticeable,
05:50Ronda Rousey not quite as intense as usual.
05:53Maybe the friendship has gotten in Rousey's mind.
05:56That's a good point is Natalya now trying to survive.
06:00Cole, like you said before, I mean, it's not about hurting your opponent when
06:04your opponent is also one of your best friends in the business.
06:06Yeah, but I wouldn't classify it as lack of-
06:08Look at- There's Natalya.
06:10Planting Ronda Rousey.
06:11This could be Natalya's opportunity.
06:14Certainly not lack of effort, but it's that next level intensity that Rousey's
06:17famous for, that she always brings into the big fights.
06:20Stepping through, looking for the sharpshooter perhaps, and Ronda driving Natalya through the rope.
06:24She hit the ropes hard, women's championship match continues.
06:27Get up, get up, get up.
06:33And we're back on Monday Night Raw.
06:36Natalya has taken control of this women's championship match.
06:40Now, before we went to break, Corey, Ronda Rousey kicked Natalya out of the ring.
06:44Roll up for the championship in a kick out.
06:47Ronda kicked Natalya out of the ring.
06:48She hit the rope hard with the back of her neck and fell out.
06:50There was a distinct look of concern on the face of Ronda Rousey for Natalya.
06:55Did that cost her and allow Natalya to take over this match once she got back in the ring?
06:59It certainly could have.
07:00I mean, at this particular juncture, yes, Natalya has been able to resume control of this match.
07:05And here's what went down before the commercial break.
07:07Ronda Rousey in a little bit of jeopardy trying to fight her way out of the sharpshooter.
07:11Natalya takes a nasty spill to the outside.
07:13Now look at Ronda.
07:14But you're right, a look of concern on the face of Ronda Rousey.
07:17And that's unfamiliar to this point, I don't know that I've ever seen concern mid-fight.
07:21I don't think that there's anybody that Ronda respects the way that she respects Natalya.
07:25Yeah, but to Corey's point, what has made Ronda dangerous her entire career is that attitude,
07:30that aggressive nature of her, the take-all-prisoners attitude.
07:36And now she lost that edge here in this match, nice suplex by Natalya.
07:42Rousey certainly can't soften her stance if she wants to stay Raw Women's Champion.
07:46Covered by Natalya.
07:47Hook of the leg and a kick out by the champion.
07:50And now Natalya in control.
07:53And Natalya, I think right now at the pace she wants to try to win the championship.
07:59Natalya certainly knows what she's doing here tonight.
08:01She's sized up Ronda Rousey.
08:03Natalya wants to close out 2018 as a Raw Women's Champion.
08:06Tonight she might just do that.
08:07Come on, Ronda, what do you say?
08:08Get up, Ronda.
08:10Go.
08:13Natalya, the sleeper old locked in.
08:17Ronda struggling to somehow find a way out of this encounter.
08:20Ronda knows how dangerous it is when an opponent takes your back in a contest like this.
08:24That's one way out of it, and Natalya follows it up with a clothesline.
08:28And Natalya, you see by the attitude now, the body motion, she's starting to feel it here.
08:32She thinks this could be her night.
08:33Hook of the leg on the champion and a kick out of two.
08:36Ronda is hanging in this match.
08:38Now he still has a killer instinct.
08:41Look at the face of Natalya right now, just screaming at Rousey to give up.
08:47If Rousey's being a little tentative, Natalya's certainly quite the opposite right now.
08:53Great submission hold applied.
08:55Look in the eyes of Rousey.
08:58Rousey looks emotionally defeated right now.
09:00You're absolutely right, that's a great way to describe it.
09:02Natalya wants, Rousey's leg, my gosh, look at this torturous position.
09:07And Ronda screaming in agony.
09:09Natalya saying it's time to give up.
09:11Come on, what do you say?
09:16Ronda's hurting, Ronda's in trouble, it could just be a matter of time.
09:19Ronda's got a look of almost disbelief.
09:20No, no.
09:21Like she can't believe her friend is putting her through this.
09:24Yeah, but she.
09:25Rousey's gotta understand, I mean.
09:28Look at this, Ronda, nice counter.
09:30But has the damage been done to the Raw Women's Champion?
09:33Ronda knows what it means to be champion.
09:35Maybe the emotions are just unfamiliar territory.
09:38That is relentless tonight.
09:43Natalya into the cover and a kick out.
09:45And the one thing about this match, Natalya's bringing it.
09:48Ronda Rousey is holding back.
09:50I think that has been very apparent through this match.
09:53You like Ronda?
09:56I like her too.
09:58As the match progresses, Natalya still keeping her foot on the gas pedal.
10:03Absolutely relentless.
10:06Look at the pack.
10:08Natalya, the miracle suplex.
10:10You see the way Rousey's body jarred on impact.
10:13This could be Natalya's night.
10:16And now the mean streak coming out of Natalya.
10:19Hook to the leg and a kick out again.
10:21And there was one thing Natalya said to Ronda earlier tonight in an interview.
10:25I am not just a friendly competitor.
10:28Do not treat me that way.
10:30And that is what Natalya is doing here.
10:33Ronda still cannot believe the fight and the attack that Natalya's bringing at her.
10:39Rousey's got no choice at this juncture but to fight fire with fire.
10:43Here it comes.
10:46Natalya's awakened the monster inside Rousey.
10:50All it takes is that one switch from Ronda Rousey and this could be done in an instant.
10:57She doesn't wanna do it but she might have to.
11:00Running knee, Natalya down, cover by Rousey, kick out at two.
11:06Let's take one more look at this.
11:10Ronda delivered the knee almost regretfully.
11:15She looked like she did not wanna do it.
11:19Well, Ronda actually pleading with Natalya here.
11:21And she still doesn't wanna put Natalya away.
11:25You have to understand, look at Natalya, catching Ronda, rolling her up.
11:28Looking to win the Raw Women's title and a kick out by Ronda again.
11:35And what a clothesline.
11:36You hear that?
11:38Is it enough to put Ronda away?
11:39Hook of the leg here and a kick out again by Rousey.
11:43Natalya keeping this full court press on right now.
11:45Take another look at this hellacious Lariat.
11:49Takes down the champion.
11:50Again, I guess you can understand why Ronda feels this way.
11:53Listen, Natalya took her under her wing when she came to WWE.
11:56She helped train her.
11:57She helped her learn everything about the sports entertainment industry.
12:00And Ronda, she hasn't forgotten that.
12:04Ronda lives and dies by respect.
12:06She is a student of this game and Nati was the first one to show her how any of this
12:11works.
12:11And also, Ronda grew up watching this.
12:13She adores the Hart family.
12:14This is unfamiliar territory for Ronda Rousey, being in this situation in a WWE ring.
12:20It's a very different environment.
12:22It's the first time she's had to deal with this, doing battle with a close friend.
12:26There it is!
12:27Piper's pet, Ronda Rousey, has taken control of this match.
12:32Ronda's gotta put it all out of her mind if she wants to keep her championship.
12:36Yeah, hesitating yet again.
12:40Rousey.
12:41You gotta do it, Ronda.
12:42Does not wanna put Natalya away and it cost her.
12:45It cost Rousey there.
12:47Natalya looking for the sharpshooter.
12:48Ronda couldn't put in the arm bar.
12:50Natalya steps through into the sharpshooter.
12:53Center of the ring.
12:54She's got it locked in.
12:55Ronda's got nowhere to go.
12:56Is this Natalya's moment?
12:58Look at Natalya's face.
12:59She believes this is her time.
13:01She's gonna make Rousey tap.
13:03Ronda trying to make it to the bottom rope.
13:07Ronda's inability to pull the trigger could cost her-
13:10Back center of the ring.
13:11Back in the center of the ring.
13:13Natalya realizes her moment could be seconds away.
13:17Rousey trying to scratch and claw her way to the break of the ropes.
13:22Rousey's almost there.
13:25Fingertip away, back to the center of the ring.
13:27Wait, no, no, no.
13:27Rousey's out.
13:28Rousey's out.
13:30Natty's in trouble.
13:30This is it.
13:31And now no hesitation.
13:33Now the arm bar.
13:34Ronda Rousey locking it in.
13:36Is Natalya gonna tap out?
13:38She does.
13:38Ronda Rousey retains.
13:42Here's your winner and still the Raw Women's Champion, Rowdy Ronda Rousey.
13:52Ronda Rousey.
13:53Ronda Rousey.
13:56Again, the look of concern on the face of Rowdy, Ronda Rousey.
14:01She had to do it though.
14:02She had to do that.
14:04Ronda was pushed to her liver.
14:05We needed to see that snap in Ronda.
14:09Natalya couldn't have expected anything less.
14:16I mean, what a competitor Natalya was tonight.
14:20And what a great women's championship match.
14:24I think if anything, Rousey should be thankful.
14:27Natalya really tested the champion's limits tonight.
14:29I think Ronda probably learned a little bit about herself.
14:32Her ability to put friendships aside.
14:40If you want to remain champion at WWE, you have to do just that.
14:48What a match.
14:50Tremendous match on this Christmas Eve edition of Monday Night Raw.
14:56Congratulations to Ronda Rousey.
14:59Hello.
15:01Hey.
15:03I'm up for you.
15:10You're welcome.
15:11I'm up for the reviews.
15:13I'm up for you.
15:13I'm up for you.
15:13I'm up for you.
15:15I'm up for you.
15:16Bye.
15:16Bye.
15:16Bye.
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