Behind-the-Scenes Insights into Liv Morgan’s Struggles and Rousey’s Frustrations with WWE Creative
Summary
– Liv Morgan’s feud with Ronda Rousey in 2022 led to significant fan backlash despite high expectations.
– WWE’s creative decisions, including a controversial match finish at SummerSlam, were critiqued by Rousey in her autobiography.
– Paul Heyman reportedly blamed Morgan for not managing fan reactions effectively, contributing to her diminished popularity.
In the summer of 2022, WWE fans were treated to what was expected to be one of the most electric feuds of the year between Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey. However, the storyline culminated in disappointment, partly due to the creative choices made by WWE. According to Ronda Rousey’s autobiography “Our Fight,” a pivotal moment in the feud was mishandled, leading to a downturn in fan support for Morgan.
The controversy centered around the finish of their SummerSlam match, where Morgan was supposed to lose the title back to Rousey through a missed referee call. This finish, intended to extend Morgan’s championship run and build her up as a resilient champion, instead alienated fans. Rousey expressed frustration with the repetitive nature of the finish, which she felt was overused and ultimately detrimental to Morgan’s character.
Paul Heyman’s role in the narrative post-SummerSlam was also critical. When fan reaction turned negative, with chants of “You tapped out!” directed at Morgan, Heyman suggested that Morgan had herself to blame. He argued that her acknowledgment of one fan’s chant invited wider negative reactions, which Rousey disagreed with, indicating a division within WWE over handling the situation.
This behind-the-scenes drama provides insight into the complexities of wrestling storytelling and character development. The intended creative direction did not resonate as expected, turning a potential career milestone for Morgan into a challenging period. It also underscores wrestlers’ difficulties when scripted scenarios play out differently in the live audience setting.
As Morgan and Rousey moved past this storyline, the incident remains a notable example of the unpredictable nature of audience reception in professional wrestling. It highlights the delicate balance that WWE tries to maintain in crafting compelling narratives while keeping its performers and fans engaged.
