The fallout from Ronda Rousey’s devastating knockout continues as one former WWE wrestler has come out of the woodwork and claimed that the whole thing was a work. Surely it couldn’t be and he’s just getting his own sport confused with the very real world of UFC and MMA?

That wrestler is Taz – which is probably a disappointment for anyone clicking on this article -who is probably better known to WWE fans as a commentator, but still held more than his own back in the day in ECW. He talked about Rousey’s loss at length on Monday’s episode of ‘Bodyslams and Beyond’ – I guess this makes up the beyond part? – and came to the conclusion it was a work.

You can watch it below or read the crucial quotes underneath the video:

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Why are some people not seeing this? This has been done in the wrestling industry for years. A guy or girl is going to take a break or go away, or has an injury that they have to tend to, whatever the reasons are, and they’re a champion — you take the championship off of them. You do not want your champion sitting home or making a movie, Roadhouse 2 or whatever Rousey’s going to do, or whatever Rousey’s going to do, or just needs a personal break, which she’s earned. This girl’s earned it. But you don’t want that person sitting home for five, six, seven months with that championship. It’s bad for business! Take the belt off her!

And many other people on the card got punched in the face, and kicked in the chest, and stomped on the head. And the bulk of all those fights you’re watching are legit, finish and everything, no doubt. But the bigger bouts, just like in boxing, the finish is predetermined. Now, here’s the other little catch for you: not each of the fighters is in on the work! Unlike pro wrestling, it’s a shoot. Not each fighter is in on the work. I’m tellin’ ya.

If you look at the actual K.O. — now, she did get nailed, Rousey, with several shots before the finish of the fight. Nothing that was like ‘oh my god,’ but she got popped a few times. But if you look at the actual knockout, as Rousey, she went for kind of a lazy punch or something — not lazy, but she kind of missed — and as she spun to turn around her back was kind of turned to Holm. And as she slowly turned, a high round kick, I believe it was the left foot, or left leg of Holm, catches Rousey, drops Rousey, and then Holm grounds and pounds for three shots — boom, boom, boom. Ref gets in the middle, fight’s over, new champion Holly Holm. I’m telling you right now, that whole series, was the work. And I’m not sure who was in on it and who wasn’t, but I know this much: The ref probably wasn’t in on it. Maybe he was, I don’t know. Rousey was in on it — and again, this is all my opinion. Holm might not have been in on it.

Hmmm. I mean, he kind of has a point about the champ needing to fight and be visible within an organisation, but the fact that he’s making this claim after years of analysis and understanding the wrestling business is probably the crucial factor here.

Wrestling is a different business to UFC and MMA and therefore — although both involve beating people up – I don’t think you can really compare the two on an issue such as this. I mean UFC prides itself on being very real whereas everyone knows wrestling is just a soap opera on steroids. It’s completely different.

Given also how absolutely devastated and embarrassed Ronda seems after the fight too, I don’t think it’s true either. Her return and eventual rematch against Holly Holm is undoubtedly going to yield the biggest UFC PPV figures ever, but was it really worth going through this for her to get a huge payday? I don’t think so, unless she’s a better actress than we’re all giving her credit for.

If you haven’t read it yet, check out Floyd Mayweather’s unbelievable reaction to the knockout.