Ronda Rousey, the only woman to ever win championships in both the UFC and WWE, reflects on her trailblazing career and feels a persistent sense that her contributions aren’t always recognized.
Back in 2019, after a successful jump to professional wrestling and becoming the WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Rousey was on the cusp of making history with WrestleMania. But just hours before the show, the backstage was in a panic as the script was ripped up and rewritten. Paul Heyman casually asked her what kind of movie she’d like to star in if resources weren’t an issue, and what role she’d play. This reflection led her to ponder her own anxiety about becoming a mother and protecting a child in a hostile world. She penned a single line – a pregnant assassin fighting to secure an abortion – and the idea grew into a sprawling 100+ page graphic novel, “Expecting the Unexpected,” slated for release in October.
This creative spark propelled her forward, leading to surgery, a stint on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and an intense period of writing. More than two years after her final WWE match and nearly a decade after her MMA retirement, Rousey is content with the impact she’s made. “I think I’m most proud of being able to create a way for women in combat sports to be able to make a living that just didn’t exist before,” she states. Her success has undoubtedly paved the way for greater respect and higher pay for women in WWE, boxing, and beyond.
Despite her pivotal role in transforming the landscape of women’s combat sports, Rousey feels underappreciated. “I don’t think any woman trailblazer gets enough credit because I think people forget very quickly the way that it was and how difficult it used to be,” she explains. “The people not remembering how it was, that no one wanted to give women fighters a minute of their day as opposed to seeing them as a valuable investment now.”
Her MMA career ended in 2016 with a loss to Amanda Nunes, and her subsequent transition to WWE helped elevate the women’s division to historic heights, including the groundbreaking main event at WrestleMania 35 alongside Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. However, the intense pressure and the dynamic established by Vince McMahon eventually proved unsustainable. She left, alongside her former stablemates Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, and Jessamyn Duke, feeling disconnected.
“It was a lot of needless anxiety and things like that. And the whole company was just a chaotic s* show on the inside. And then they ended up dropping all my friends,” she reflects. Now, nearly a decade later, she reports no outreach from the company for a return, though she acknowledges a desire to spend more time with her two daughters.
At this point, Rousey has embraced a more selective approach to projects, including a brief return to the ring alongside her best friend, AEW’s Jon Moxley, and a recent appearance in Ring of Honor. She credits Moxley—and figures like him—with fostering a collaborative and supportive environment within the wrestling industry. She emphasizes the importance of this culture, one that encourages rising tides to lift all boats, and recognizes the value of mentoring and support across generations.
Ultimately, Rousey feels fulfilled and content with her diverse pursuits, from pursuing creative writing to developing her graphic novel project. Her focus is on contributing to the evolution of the medium and leaving a lasting legacy, fueled by the invaluable lessons and support she’s received throughout her career.