Latest news with #Rousey
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ronda Rousey Speaks Out on UFC Rejection and Media Criticism
At one point, no athlete in MMA was more recognizable than Ronda Rousey. The former Olympic judoka didn't just dominate the women's bantamweight division—she transformed it. With a string of first-round armbars, Rousey helped usher in an entirely new era for the UFC, becoming the organization's first female champion and a mainstream crossover icon. But a recent interview sheds new light on the disconnect between her legacy and how she feels perceived today. In a vulnerable conversation with High Performance, Rousey opened up about her relationship with the UFC fanbase and media. 'Pretty sure if I walked into the arena, I'd be booed,' she said. 'I gave them everything I had and it wasn't enough.' She also addressed the media's role in reshaping her image, saying, 'I feel like I'm really vilified by MMA media at this point… I'm not really, you know, well welcomed back which is why I haven't gone to a UFC fight since.' Rousey also revealed a major factor in her UFC departure—long-term concussion symptoms possibly linked to CTE. In her memoir Our Fight, she wrote candidly about suffering concussions as far back as childhood and how the accumulation of head trauma continued throughout her judo and MMA careers. She described symptoms such as blackouts, vision issues, and numbness, noting that even light impacts could trigger episodes. The potential long-term effects, including CTE, weighed heavily on her decision to walk away. Over time, the toll on her health became too great to ignore. Ronda RouseyGetty Images Since stepping away from the UFC, Rousey has exited WWE and turned her focus to life outside the ring. She authored her memoir Our Fight, released in 2024, and has shifted attention to her family, raising her two daughters and embracing a quieter life away from the spotlight that once followed her every move. Recently, brief clips of Rousey training surfaced online, sparking speculation about a potential return to either WWE or the UFC. However, as of now, no official announcement or confirmation has been made regarding a comeback. Related: UFC Rising Star Sends Sparring Offer to Charles Oliveira 'I Can Imitate Topuria Perfectly' Related: Jake Paul Confirms Undisputed Heavyweight Champ Wants MMA Fight: 'They Reached Out'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ronda Rousey's WWE Return? Latest Update
Even with various recent "budget cuts," WWE is always looking to add to their star-studded roster. Over the past few months, top acts like Rusev and Aleister Black have been re-added, with more performers such as Jeff Cobb and Hikuleo reportedly on the way. If the company thinks someone can increase their record profits, they are more than willing to find a spot on the card to slot them in. That's why it shouldn't be a surprise that former WWE Women's Triple Crown Champion and UFC legend Ronda Rousey could be making her way back to the promotion. Ronda Rousey Getty Images On a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez suggested WWE is still interested in a reunion with Rousey. "WWE does still want to do something with Ronda Rousey," Alvarez said. "Shayna Baszler obviously retired Ronda Rousey, or at least had her last match in WWE. So, I could not say that there's no chance we'll never see Shayna Baszler again." As Alvarez alluded to, Rousey's last bout in WWE was against Baszler at SummerSlam 2023, in an "MMA Rules" match, in a horrific affair. Rousey had some sporadic appearances on the indies, including showing up at a Ring of Honor taping, but has been largely inactive in the ring since. Advertisement Rousey is undoubtedly a marquee name, but her work never progressed at the pace expected, and her lack of ability on the mic was never able to overcompensate. By the end of her tenure, she had "go-away heat," which a large portion of the audience did, so it would be intriguing to see where she would feature in such a thriving women's division. Related: Conflicting Reports Around WWE Signing Disgraced Former WWE Champion Related: New Report Suggests Popular WWE Faction is 'Done'
Newsweek
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Interested in Working with Ronda Rousey Again: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Despite negative comments made against the company, WWE would still like to do business with Ronda Rousey should the opportunity come about. Post-WWE, Rousey has been critical of her experience, particularly the creative environment during what she termed the "death throes of the Vince McMahon era," which she described as "needlessly stressful." She expressed admiration for Triple H, wishing her tenure occurred under "the Triple H era" and noting he "believed in me from the very beginning." Rousey also cited her concussion history as a factor contributing to her departure from wrestling. According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, WWE remains interested in potentially working with former multi-time Women's Champion Ronda Rousey again in the future. Alvarez noted that this interest could also impact the status of Shayna Baszler, who was recently released by WWE. Baszler had Rousey's last match in WWE at SummerSlam 2023, effectively "retiring" her from the company in storyline. However, Alvarez suggested Baszler's departure might not be permanent if Rousey makes a comeback and requests her longtime friend's involvement. "WWE does still want to do something with Ronda Rousey," Alvarez stated. "Shayna Baszler obviously retired Ronda Rousey—or at least [that was] her last match in WWE. So I could not say that there's no chance we'll never see Shayna Baszler again." Ronda Rousey turned her back on the WWE Universe on RAW Ronda Rousey turned her back on the WWE Universe on RAW WWE He elaborated on the connection, adding, "I cannot say we'll never see Shayna again because if WWE makes a deal with Ronda and Ronda wants Shayna back, she'll be back." This suggests that any potential future negotiations with Rousey could directly influence whether WWE re-signs Shayna Baszler. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Following a decorated career in judo and UFC, Ronda Rousey signed full-time with WWE in 2018, debuting impressively at WrestleMania 34 alongside Kurt Angle against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. She quickly captured the Raw Women's Championship and was instrumental in the women's division's rise, main-eventing the all-women Evolution PPV and the first women's WrestleMania main event (WrestleMania 35). After a break, Rousey returned in 2022, winning the Royal Rumble and securing the SmackDown Women's Championship twice. She later teamed with Shayna Baszler to win and unify the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships before losing her final WWE match to Baszler at SummerSlam 2023. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
