Ronda Rousey, the former UFC champion turned WWE superstar, has opened up about one of the most defining aspects of her WWE career: her refusal to submit to anyone but Shayna Baszler. In an in-depth interview on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey revealed that the only person she was willing to tap out to inside the WWE ring was her longtime friend and wrestling partner, Baszler — a decision that culminated in a memorable moment at SummerSlam 2023[1][2].

Rousey’s Wrestling Philosophy: Never Tap Except to Baszler

Ronda Rousey was famously competitive and fierce inside the UFC octagon, and she carried that persona into her WWE career. According to Rousey, the prospect of tapping out to someone in WWE was almost unthinkable—so much so that she even said her mother would “disown” her if she tapped out. She gave a concrete example, recalling a scenario where WWE wanted her to tap out to Becky Lynch’s armbar submission at Survivor Series 2018. Rousey decisively refused, citing her real-life experience with armbar submissions: “Anytime anyone’s actually arm-barred me in real life, I’ve just let them dislocate it and I limp-arm out. That’s why my ligaments are all f***ed up in this arm.” She was so committed to protecting her in-ring persona that she wouldn’t lose by submission to anyone but Baszler[1].

This refusal was not just about pride—it tied deeply into Rousey’s personal and professional relationships. Unlike other opponents, Baszler was different. The two share a history rooted in mixed martial arts and professional wrestling and were close friends outside the ring. This camaraderie made it feel “right” for Rousey to agree to be submitted by Baszler in their final WWE match, a “shoot-style” contest at SummerSlam 2023, where Rousey chose to be choked out rather than tap, preserving her tough image while still giving Baszler the win[1][2].

The Significance of the Baszler Match at SummerSlam 2023

Their SummerSlam match was more than just a regular WWE bout—it was billed as an “MMA Rules” match that allowed both women to showcase their real fighting backgrounds. Rousey explained that she wanted to go out on a high note with this unique match against Baszler. “That’s how I wanted to go out so that’s how I went out, but I didn’t tap out. I let her choke me out,” she said on the podcast[1].

The match was highly praised backstage among WWE wrestlers, with many calling it “super over” and applauding how authentic it felt. Rousey noted, “I’ve never got more compliments from more people… that was more at the point where I’m like, this is for us. Screw you guys.” The respect from peers underscored how the match represented a special moment of authenticity and mutual respect between the two wrestlers[2].

Following this match, Rousey has largely stepped away from WWE, limiting her appearances to a handful of independent events and a match for Tony Khan’s Ring of Honor. This has led many to believe SummerSlam 2023 marked the end of her wrestling chapter—at least for now[1].

Backstage Insights and WWE’s Vision for Rousey’s Submission Loss

Sources close to WWE and insiders from the wrestling world reportedly pitched that giving Rousey a submission loss to Becky Lynch could help elevate Lynch’s status during her meteoric rise. However, Rousey’s staunch refusal transformed this into an iconic moment of character protection. The company scrambled to rework storylines when Lynch’s scheduled match at Survivor Series 2018 was scrapped due to a broken nose sustained during an angle[1].

Despite the creative challenges, both Rousey and Lynch eventually clashed in a memorable triple threat match at WrestleMania 35 alongside Charlotte Flair, showcasing their chemistry and storytelling abilities inside the ring[1].

Friendship Anchors the Final Chapter

Rousey and Baszler’s friendship has been well documented and was frequently showcased on WWE’s programming leading up to their SummerSlam clash. The relationship added extra layers to their storyline, making the submission finish emotionally poignant for fans and peers alike. Backstage, many viewed their match as a handshake of mutual respect, bridging Rousey’s MMA legacy with Baszler’s submission wrestling style[3][4].

A WWE insider confirmed to Wrestling Inc. that Rousey’s decision to only submit to Baszler was respected by creative teams and helped craft one of the most talked-about match finishes of 2023. The insider also noted that Rousey’s legacy in WWE remains intact as a competitor who stayed true to her values, refusing to bend her character’s credibility for short-term storytelling gains[1].

What’s Next for Ronda Rousey in Wrestling?

While Rousey’s official departure from WWE could mark the end of her full-time wrestling career, the door remains open for a possible return. Her sporadic appearances on independent circuits and for promotions like Ring of Honor suggest that she is leaving options available should the right opportunity arise[1].

For now, however, the revered “Baddest Woman on the Planet” is content with how she closed the wrestling chapter—giving a last memorable performance with Shayna Baszler, her trusted friend and the only woman she was willing to tap out to in a WWE ring.

If quoting from this article, please credit “The Lapsed Fan” podcast and Wrestling Inc. for interview transcriptions and reports.