Dana Brooke Recalls Wrestling Ronda Rousey Before WWE Hiatus
Dana Brooke had several matches against Ronda Rousey toward the end of Rousey's first run in WWE in 2019.
Brooke says it was a challenge, but one that she feels made her better.
"When Ronda Rousey came in, it was a blessing for the women's division because it brought a bunch of eyes that we never had," Dana Brooke told the Ten Count Podcast. "It elevated the women's division and I was very grateful for that. But I came out, you know, with a little chip on my shoulder and I cut a promo saying I'm not a household name. Like, this is me. This is my life. I busted my butt for so many years to be at this point and you come in and then you're right there. I just want to prove to the world that I can.
"I'm not afraid of anybody. I will definitely, you know, go toe-to-toe with anybody and again, she elevated me, she pushed me to my limit. She pushed me to my potential. I got to work with her on some WWE live events. It was great. And you know, I earned Ronda's respect, I feel and at the end of the day, I learned. I learned a lot from a loss then I feel like I would have learned from a win. Do you know what I'm trying to say? It's like, I learned a lot about myself. I learned my limits, I learned my boundaries. I was pushed to the ultimate test, and in my eyes, that's a win."
Dana Brooke won her first championship in WWE late last year when she won the 24/7 Title but has even loftier goals.
"Every male or female's dream is to have a singles match at WrestleMania, Brooke said. "I always say that this [24/7] title meant like, I'm just starting, I dip my toes in the water, right? It's like my toes are in there. I'm gonna take a full jump soon and I love the competition right now in the women's division. It is hot. It is, you know, it's like never, never before, and having this title at the moment means everything. I can represent the women's division with this as well, and I would absolutely love to go after Charlotte Flair."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Ten Count Podcast with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.