Since she officially joined WWE in 2018, we’ve mostly heard about what Ronda Rousey didn’t like about her pro wrestling experience. But before then, the UFC Hall of Famer was one of the world’s most famous wrestling fans. Even her fiercest critics admit Rousey didn’t get into the business because she needed the money. As evidenced by her attendance at PWG shows, and both Ric Flair & Roddy Piper blessing
her use of their faction and nicknames — Ronda loved pro wrestling.
That love is still there. It’s still kinda tied to one of the reasons she walked away from WWE and doesn’t think she’ll be back… but Rousey did talk about it with Yahoo Sports’ Raj Prashad.
Ronda again says she has “no reason to go back” to WWE, as she “already accomplished everything that I wanted to”, with the exception of more time working with her MMA-born version of the Four Horsewomen (Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke, and Marina Shafir) and “none of my friends are there anymore.” But thinking about Shafir, who’s currently with AEW as part of Jon Moxley’s Death Riders faction, and her friend’s development as a pro wrestler reminds Rousey of what makes wrestling great to her:
“I think so much [of Marina’s growth as a performer] has to do with Jon Moxley being the most incredible human being ever. He is just so supportive and so kind and so passionate,” Rousey continues.
“He’s just so humble and I feel like so much of that success stems from his talent — and not just his talent, but his willingness and passion to give back and to bring up everybody with him and have his rising tide lift all of their boats. And I’m so grateful for him and the kind of friend that he’s been to Marina.”
Rousey says having people like Moxley in the locker room is what allows each generation to build and outdo the last generation.
“They’re the real lifeblood of the industry. And I hope that continues and that it’s encouraged, and that it’s not like some cutthroat, ‘me versus you’ kind of environment,” Rousey says.
“It’s the culture and the giving back to each other and the constant hands helping each other up — that is what makes it continue to be great. And will continue to make pro wrestling rise in cultural awareness.”
You can check out the rest of Yahoo Sports’ profile of Rousey here.
