WWE suspends Ronda Rousey for ‘attacking’ referee at SummerSlam
Global News
According to the WWE, Ronda Rousey took issue with the referee's alleged failure to notice her opponent tapping out while he counted the pinfall.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has fined and indefinitely suspended wrestler Ronda Rousey after she “attacked” an official at WWE SummerSlam on Saturday.
Rousey, 35, lost the women’s title match to Liv Morgan in Nashville, Tenn.
According to the WWE, Rousey took issue with referee Dan Engler’s alleged failure to notice her opponent tapping out while he counted the pinfall.
In response, Rousey grabbed the referee by his arm and hurled him over her shoulder and onto the ring’s floor, all the while the crowd at Nissan Stadium went wild. She then used her legs to pin Engler down until another official could separate the pair.
On Monday, WWE released a brief statement informing fans of Rousey’s suspension and fine for “an undisclosed amount.”
“Due to her suspension, Rousey will not appear on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown,” the company concluded.
The legitimacy of Rousey’s attack and subsequent suspension is unclear — often, professional wrestling performers will pre-plan an event that will result in a suspension to take time off. It’s widely known and accepted that the WWE is scripted, and this “attack” more than likely falls under that category.
