Backstage Notes On Ronda Rousey vs. Nia Jax, Lana Is Ready For Money in the Bank, Ashley Massaro

– Following an unexpected challenge, Ronda Rousey will go up against Nia Jax for the Raw Women’s Championship at WWE Money in the Bank on Sunday, June 17. Behind the scenes, WWE higher-ups feel that Jax as Rousey’s opponent is the biggest match they can do with the former UFC star on the Raw brand.

Rousey was advertised to face Mickie James in singles matches on last week’s WWE live event tour of Europe, but she instead worked Six-Woman Tag Team Matches on four consecutive nights. From May 16 through 19, she teamed with Natalya and Ember Moon against James, Ruby Riott, and Liv Morgan. The result was the same on all four nights as Rousey, Natalya, and Moon came out on top.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the matches were changed because WWE higher-ups and producers didn’t feel that Rousey was ready to work singles matches yet, even against a talented veteran in Mickie. However, they believe she’ll be ready to face Jax by next month, even with only private training.

– After beating Billie Kay in a Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match this week on SmackDown LIVE, Lana says she will become the first-ever “#RAVISHING Mrs. Money in the Bank.”

Lana tweeted her vow to Naomi, who also won a Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match this week by beating Sonya Deville.

@SonyaDevilleWWE is one tough chick😲 (my ribs stomach and entire digestive system will never be the same after her hits) but….tonight I qualified and GLOWIFIED #MITB here I come #sdlive #wwe pic.twitter.com/aHLUu1PweZ

— Trinity Fatu (@NaomiWWE) May 23, 2018

Your glow is cool but I am going to be the first ever #RAVISHING Mrs. Money in the Bank & the world will sing Lana is the Best Lana Number 1 👏🏽👏🏽 on #RusevDay !!! #MITB https://t.co/cfTRhusZKF

— CJ (Lana) Perry (@LanaWWE) May 26, 2018

– Ashley Massaro celebrates her birthday on Saturday as the winner of the 2005 Raw Diva Search turns 39 years old.

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY B*TcHES!!!! Woot woot!!!! I’m gonna be saying that all day lololol #birthdaygirl Fire Island here we come!!!!

A post shared by Ashley Massaro (@ashleymassaro2013) on May 26, 2018 at 6:47am PDT