Ronda Rousey has not minced her words when it comes to discussing her former employer, ex-WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
The former UFC sensation, known as ‘Rowdy’, carved her legacy in the octagon from 2013 to 2016, until a devastating defeat by Amanda Nunes prompted her departure from MMA. While Rousey never formally hung up her gloves, she has hinted that a return to fighting is as improbable as a resurgence in her judo career.
Transitioning from the cage to the squared circle, Rousey fulfilled her lifelong passion for professional wrestling by joining WWE. Between 2017 and 2023, she soared to stardom within the company, except for a hiatus during the birth of her daughter.
In a surprising turn of events, Rousey parted ways with WWE in late 2023, sparking speculation of a potential MMA comeback, perhaps at UFC 300. However, such conjectures never materialized, hinting that her departure from the wrestling world was more about distancing herself than pursuing new endeavors.
In her recently published memoir, ‘Our Fight’, Ronda Rousey delved into her WWE tenure, taking a critical stance against former chairman Vince McMahon. McMahon, the iconic face of WWE, stepped down amidst allegations of sexual assault and trafficking earlier that year.
In excerpts from her memoir, Rousey didn’t hold back: “NXT was founded and helmed by Triple H, or Paul Levesque, who not only became my WrestleMania rival but is also hailed as one of wrestling’s all-time greats and a savvy businessperson. He’s married to Stephanie McMahon, daughter of WWE’s Vince McMahon, whom I’ve dubbed Emperor Palpatine. Vince inherited the company in the ’80s and spent decades monopolizing the wrestling scene, absorbing smaller promotions until he reigned supreme.”
She continued, shedding light on McMahon’s persona both on and off-screen: “It’s often challenging to distinguish between Vince McMahon’s villainous on-screen character and his real-life persona, which has been marred by numerous legal battles and allegations of impropriety. This blurred line between fiction and reality permeates the WWE Universe.”
Rousey didn’t shy away from criticizing WWE’s business decisions either, particularly its choice of venues: “[Pay-per-views are] hosted in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, as well as biannually in Saudi Arabia, a nation with severe restrictions on women’s rights, a reality that seemingly aligns with McMahon’s desires.”
Since her departure from WWE, Rousey has made sporadic appearances at independent wrestling events and a Ring of Honor show. However, she currently remains unaffiliated with any promotion.
