Former WWE superstar Ronda Rousey, who concluded her stint with the company after a bout with Shayna Baszler at the prior year’s SummerSlam, has been open about her negative experiences within WWE, often expressing harsh criticism. Recent claims from an ex-WWE figure suggest that Rousey was widely disliked behind the scenes, extending back to her UFC days.
In “Our Fight,” Rousey’s autobiography, she speaks out about her time in WWE. Her book includes intense remarks about WWE executives Bruce Prichard and John Laurinaitis, to whom she unapologetically suggests profanities and accuses WWE of discriminating against female wrestlers.
Commentary from Jimmy Smith on a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Unlocking The Cage with Jimmy Smith, openly rebuked Rousey’s allegations regarding hidden concussions during her UFC career and their subsequent handling while she was with WWE.
“I’ve never been a religious person. One of the things I’ve always said about God, he gets all the credit, none of the blame. That’s what Ronda Rousey wants. All the credit none of the blame. I want credit for all my wins, my losses, I had CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy] and all this and all that… She never gives credit to the people who actually beat her… The idea that I left MMA and went to the WWE because I had concussion problems makes no sense.”
Smith disclosed that many individuals working backstage in both WWE and UFC had developed a distaste for Rousey, some even feeling gratified by her defeats at the hands of fighters like Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes due to perceptions of her character and actions.
Without usually divulging insider details, Smith felt the need to speak on Rousey’s reportedly contemptuous and belittling demeanor towards support staff, such as camera crews and audio technicians. He asserted that Rousey often treated these workers poorly and as a result, was deeply unpopular among them.
He furthermore recounted the backstage reaction to Rousey’s UFC losses, noting a sense of pleasure among the staff in response to her misfortune.
“I don’t talk about things out of school, but let me let you in on something, Ronda, if you are listening. The people behind the scenes… couldn’t stand your f****** a**. Everybody that had to put a mic on Ronda Rousey, couldn’t stand her.”
Although Ronda Rousey is retired from professional wrestling and has faced criticism for her remarks, she continues to move forward with other pursuits in her personal life.
These allegations against Ronda Rousey might come as a surprise to some. What are your thoughts? Feel free to comment below.
FAQ Section
Why did Ronda Rousey leave WWE?
Ronda Rousey left WWE following her SummerSlam match with Shayna Baszler, and later retired from professional wrestling. The reasons for her departure were not explicitly stated, but following her retirement, she has shared her grievances about the company, including alleged mistreatment and discrimination.
What did Ronda Rousey write about in her book “Our Fight”?
In her book, Rousey discusses her experiences in WWE and expresses negative views towards certain WWE executives. She also speaks about gender discrimination within the company.
Who is Jimmy Smith, and what did he say about Ronda Rousey?
Jimmy Smith is a commentator who spoke about Ronda Rousey on SiriusXM’s Unlocking The Cage with Jimmy Smith. He criticized her for wanting all the credit for her successes without recognizing her defeats and for allegedly having poor relationships with backstage staff in both UFC and WWE.
What were the reactions of the backstage staff to Ronda Rousey’s losses in UFC?
According to Jimmy Smith, many backstage staff members celebrated Rousey’s losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes due to negative prior experiences with her and her overall attitude towards staff.
Conclusion
The narrative surrounding Ronda Rousey’s tenure in both WWE and UFC has taken a controversial turn with allegations of her unfavorable behavior towards staff and colleagues behind the scenes. These claims, albeit from one former WWE personality, have highlighted a potentially polarizing figure within the sports and entertainment industries. As with many stories in the limelight, it’s important to remember that there are multiple perspectives to every situation. While Rousey has retired and moved on from her wrestling career, the discussions regarding her impact on the industry and interactions with those within it continue to evoke strong opinions and reactions from fans and insiders alike.