Former WWE and UFC star Ronda Rousey has candidly confirmed that her professional wrestling career is “pretty much” over, reflecting on her last significant WWE match against Shayna Baszler at SummerSlam 2023. In a revealing interview on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey detailed the frustrations behind her decision to step away from wrestling, citing WWE’s repeated failure to deliver on promised storylines, especially concerning the much-anticipated matches involving WWE’s and MMA’s Four Horsewomen factions[1][3].
Rousey entered WWE with hopes of taking advantage of the unique opportunity to wrestle with her close friends—women who had been key figures in both MMA and WWE, commonly dubbed the Four Horsewomen on both sides. However, as she explained, WWE continuously dangled this promise without ever fully delivering: “I got into WWE because I wanted to be able to wrestle with my girls, you know, the Four Horsewomen, and be able to wrestle with my friends, and they kind of dangled that carrot for my whole run and never let it happen”[1][3]. This unfulfilled potential became a major factor leading up to her eventual exit in October 2023.
Her final high-profile WWE match came at SummerSlam 2023, where she faced off against Shayna Baszler, a longtime friend and fellow MMA veteran turned wrestler. This match was meaningful to Rousey, as she insisted that wrestling Baszler was the only condition under which she would continue performing in WWE at the time—”And then by the end, I was like, I’m f*cking leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna. And that’s how I was able to do it at all”[3]. The SummerSlam bout marked not only one of Rousey’s last WWE matches but also a symbolic before-the-exit moment where she finally got to share the ring with someone from her envisioned circle.
During her career in WWE, Rousey reached notable achievements, including two reigns as SmackDown Women’s Champion across her two tenures with the company starting in 2018. She had memorable rivalries with major stars like Liv Morgan, Charlotte Flair, and Natalya, showcasing her crossover appeal and athleticism honed in UFC and judo[2]. Yet despite these highlights, backstage sources and interviews have highlighted her dissatisfaction with WWE’s creative direction regarding her role and storylines.
According to a WWE insider who spoke with Wrestling Inc., “Ronda was frustrated that the company never fully embraced her vision or utilized the potential of her relationships with the other Four Horsewomen in meaningful storylines. She felt repeatedly let down in that regard, impacting her desire to continue wrestling” [1]. This insider perspective aligns with Rousey’s own statements and paints a picture of a promising career curtailed by creative disconnects.
Since her departure from WWE in late 2023, Rousey has shifted her focus. She welcomed her second daughter with husband Travis Browne earlier this year and has explored new creative ventures, including writing. Notably, she penned the script for an upcoming Netflix biopic about her life and prepared a graphic novel titled Expecting the Unexpected, scheduled for release in October 2025[3]. These pursuits suggest Rousey’s transitioning identity beyond wrestling and MMA toward storytelling and family life.
While Rousey has not officially announced a permanent retirement—leaving some ambiguity—her comments make it clear that wrestling is “pretty much in her rearview mirror” for now. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer and outlets like Fightful have echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that, barring unforeseen changes, fans should not expect Rousey to return to a full-time wrestling role anytime soon[3][5].
This development marks the closing chapter of a unique era where one of the biggest MMA figures successfully crossed into mainstream sports entertainment, breaking ground for future athletes to follow. Despite the somewhat unfulfilled storyline potential, Rousey’s presence in WWE elevated women’s wrestling exposure and inspired a new wave of athlete crossover, blending combat sports with scripted entertainment.
In conclusion, Ronda Rousey’s recent interviews and backstage reports confirm that her WWE wrestling career is effectively over, highlighted by her poignant SummerSlam 2023 match against Shayna Baszler—the symbolic culmination of her wrestling journey. Fans appreciate her honesty about creative frustrations and respect her decision to pivot toward family and creative projects outside of the squared circle. WWE watchers will remember Rousey’s impact and legacy as a trailblazer who brought circling worlds of MMA and pro wrestling closer—even if the long-anticipated Four Horsewomen dream never fully materialized in the ring[1][3][4].
Reported by a WWE insider and compiled from interviews on The Lapsed Fan podcast, WWE.com, Fightful, and Wrestling Inc.