Shayna Baszler’s professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career had taken a major dip following her second-round submission loss to Julianna Pena, which ended her run on The Ultimate Fighter season 18. At the time, Shayna was a fan favorite and a favorite to win the series. This was the point at which her coach, Ronda Rousey, offered her some prophetic advice.

It has been a decade since their conversation, but Shayna still remembers it vividly, especially after her career in MMA ended, and she began her career as a professional wrestler with the WWE, where she has been a member of the roster for six years.

Shayna recounted the conversation, stating that Ronda had told her that something bigger was going to happen in the future and that she would be grateful that she had lost that fight. It was a moment that they had manifested since 2013, and it all came to fruition when they became the new WWE women’s tag team champions on the May 29 episode of Monday Night Raw.

While Shayna has achieved much during her professional wrestling career, working with Ronda has been a dream come true. According to Shayna, they had been talking to the WWE about working together ever since Ronda arrived there in 2017. Although the opportunity did not happen until recently, Shayna revealed that they actively tried to create moments in the ring that would generate excitement and show what the fans wanted.

Shayna admitted that they had not pitched ideas but had thrown little suggestions out there, hoping they would be noticed. The response was positive, and their efforts paid off. Shayna and Ronda have different backgrounds in grappling. Shayna came up under former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett in catch wrestling while still competing in MMA, while Ronda largely learned on the job when she made her wrestling debut in 2018.

Shayna praised Ronda for her obsessive mindset that made her an Olympic champion and a UFC champion, referring to Ronda’s willingness to learn and repeat techniques to perfection. Her approach carries over into pro wrestling, and it is a joy for Shayna to see Ronda having fun in the ring. Shayna and Ronda are planning to use their momentum to grab bigger opportunities in professional wrestling.