Shayna Baszler's recent turn against her former on-screen ally, Ronda Rousey, has struck a chord with WWE fans, who have eagerly rallied behind Baszler. During a recent episode of "WWE's The Bump," Baszler shed light on why fans have swiftly embraced her side of the conflict.
In her explanation, Baszler emphasized the authenticity of her actions, stating, "One thing I've always said about wrestling fans – sports fans in general – is they can smell when you're faking the funk." According to Baszler, fans have an innate ability to discern what is genuine, and her genuine approach has resonated with them.
She believes that fans connect with realness, and her unwavering authenticity has won their support.
Authenticity Wins Fan Favor
Drawing a parallel to the world of boxing, Baszler likened the fan response to her feud with Rousey to that of cheering for a favorite fighter.
She remarked, "You just cheer for who you like, and it just happens to be me because the stuff I'm saying is real." Baszler firmly believes that the sentiments she expresses align with those shared by fans since Rousey's arrival in WWE.
Baszler's criticisms of Rousey center on the latter's alleged lack of passion and enthusiasm for professional wrestling. Following Baszler's betrayal, which resulted in their loss of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at Money In The Bank in London, England, fans surprisingly sided with Baszler instead of Rousey.
Despite derailing their championship reign, Baszler's authentic portrayal struck a chord with viewers, leading them to align with her in the budding feud. Behind the scenes, Baszler and Rousey have long been eager to engage in a feud.
Reports suggest that the accelerated timeline of the conflict is due to Rousey's impending hiatus from WWE. Interestingly, Rousey credits Baszler with introducing her to the world of professional wrestling, making their current rivalry all the more poignant and symbolic of their journey from friends to foes.
As the feud between Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey intensifies, fans eagerly anticipate how this clash of authenticity versus perceived indifference will unfold, and whether Rousey can regain the favor of the WWE faithful upon her eventual return.