Former UFC and WWE Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey has publicly signaled her professional wrestling career is effectively over, citing creative frustrations during her tenure with WWE. In a revealing interview on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey admitted that her central motivation for joining WWE — wrestling alongside her MMA Four Horsewomen friends Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, and Jessamyn Duke — was repeatedly teased but never fully realized in WWE’s storylines[1][2][3].
“Pretty much, I’d say so,” Rousey responded when asked if wrestling is now “in her rearview mirror.” She elaborated that WWE “dangling” the prospect of the Four Horsewomen storyline throughout both her WWE runs without follow-through was a major source of frustration. Her decisive ultimatum was clear: “I’m fcking leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna,”* which ultimately allowed her final WWE match against Baszler at SummerSlam 2023[1][4].
Rousey described her departure as a necessary step after concluding WWE would not allow her to maximize her potential creatively. She expressed that settling for mediocrity was “crushing my soul,” which led her to shift focus toward other passions such as comic books, fight choreography, and film work. Despite the frustrations, Rousey emphasized she would apply lessons learned in wrestling to her future endeavors, calling her WWE stint more of a “sabbatical” to grow creatively[4].
Meanwhile, backstage tensions in WWE NXT continue to surface, with Matt Riddle taking aim at CM Punk. Riddle publicly labeled Punk a “creep” who frequently hangs around the NXT locker room uninvited, stirring controversy among wrestling insiders. According to sources close to WWE, this criticism reflects ongoing discomfort among talent regarding Punk’s perceived presence and behavior in developmental environments, though official responses have been withheld[5].
In addition to these internal WWE dynamics, recent developments have affected the Mexican wrestling scene. Reports confirm that several AAA talents have been released from their contracts amid company restructuring and roster cuts. Industry insiders report this wave of releases is part of broader changes in AAA’s business approach, though specific names and reasons for termination have not been fully disclosed[5].
Backstage Insights
A WWE insider shared with Wrestling Headlines, “Ronda’s frustration was well-known here. She wanted to showcase the Four Horsewomen storyline, but creative direction repeatedly stalled it. It’s no surprise she’s stepping away, especially after the SummerSlam bout wrapped up that chapter.”
Another source close to talent in NXT commented on the Matt Riddle-CM Punk situation, “Riddle calling out Punk isn’t just locker room talk — several wrestlers feel uneasy when Punk lingers in NXT spaces. It’s impacting morale, but management is trying to manage the optics quietly.”
What This Means for WWE and Rousey’s Future
Ronda Rousey’s exit closes the door on one of the most high-profile MMA-to-wrestling transitions of the past decade. While her run included memorable moments, her candid admission underscores the creative challenges performers face in WWE’s tightly controlled storytelling environment.
Her pivot toward creative projects outside wrestling suggests Rousey will remain a prominent figure in entertainment, though not in a pro wrestling capacity. Fans anticipating a comeback should temper expectations for her return to WWE rings.
At the same time, internal conflicts such as Matt Riddle’s pointed remarks on CM Punk indicate potential locker room tensions that WWE may need to address to maintain a healthy developmental environment.
The release of AAA talent also signals shifting landscapes not only in WWE but across the broader wrestling world, making this a pivotal moment in professional wrestling’s evolving ecosystem.
This article synthesizes statements and interviews from Ronda Rousey on The Lapsed Fan podcast, backstage reports from WWE insiders, and industry news sources including Wrestling Headlines and Fightful.