Renowned MMA fighter turned WWE superstar, Ronda Rousey, has never been one to mince her words, and her upcoming autobiography, “Our Fight,” slated for release on April 4th, only reinforces her reputation for bold honesty. In a series of revealing excerpts, Rousey takes WWE Chairman Vince McMahon to task, shedding light on what she perceives as the company’s problematic treatment of female talent.
Having embarked on her WWE journey from the 2018 Royal Rumble to WrestleMania 35 and then returning for a stint from the 2022 Royal Rumble until SummerSlam 2023, Rousey has had firsthand experience working alongside the top brass within the company, including Vince McMahon. However, in her autobiography, Rousey pulls no punches in calling out McMahon’s ethics, both personally and professionally, drawing comparisons to the villainous Star Wars character Emperor Palpatine.
In one particularly scathing passage, Rousey draws attention to the blurred lines between McMahon’s on-screen persona and his real-world actions. She highlights McMahon’s decades-long dominance in the wrestling industry, likening his acquisition of smaller promotions to a real-life game of Monopoly. Rousey questions where the boundary lies between McMahon’s portrayal as an “evil, unethical, slimeball” character on television and his actual conduct, pointing to numerous legal controversies and accusations of sexual misconduct.
Moreover, Rousey delves deeper into the treatment of female wrestlers within WWE, drawing parallels between McMahon’s control over women and the restrictive laws of Saudi Arabia. She criticizes the company’s staging of pay-per-view events in Saudi Arabia, a country known for its stringent regulations on women’s rights, suggesting McMahon’s desire for control mirrors the oppressive environment faced by female performers.
The former Women’s Champion doesn’t shy away from addressing the historical challenges faced by women in WWE, highlighting the pervasive culture of sexism and degradation that persisted throughout different eras. Rousey condemns the casting couch culture backstage, where powerful men allegedly pressured female talent for sexual favors in exchange for airtime. She recounts the demeaning portrayal of women as valets and overly sexualized characters, emphasizing the long-standing disparities in opportunities and treatment compared to their male counterparts.
Despite Rousey’s critique, it’s important to acknowledge her role as a top star during her WWE tenure, contributing to a women’s division that saw increased prominence and opportunities. However, her candid reflections underscore the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the wrestling industry and the need for systemic change.
As fans digest Rousey’s scathing assessment, her words resonate as a rallying cry for greater accountability and respect for female talent in WWE and beyond. Whether her revelations will spark meaningful dialogue and catalyze change remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ronda Rousey’s voice continues to reverberate across the wrestling landscape, challenging conventions and advocating for a more equitable future.
