In a candid and humorous exchange on the “What’s Your Story?” podcast, WWE Executive Vice President Stephanie McMahon shared a surprising and cheeky commentary about wrestling promos during a conversation with Roman Reigns. Reigns reminisced about the Attitude Era, highlighting its raw and edgy nature with “It’s easy to curse, flip the bird, and stick stuff up people’s ass.” To everyone’s amusement, Stephanie didn’t shy away from the topic and jumped in with comments related to that boundary-pushing era, underlining the more irreverent and controversial tone WWE once embraced[3].
Tiffany Stratton, the current WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown, recently revealed through an appearance on the No-Contest Wrestling Podcast that portraying a heel character has come much more naturally to her than playing a babyface (fan favorite). Stratton emphasized how being a villain allows for more freedom and forgiveness in performance, saying, “I think being a heel is ten times easier than being a babyface. You can mess up, and you can fall on your butt, and that’s totally fine as a heel; however, as a babyface… the crowd could turn on you or you could get booed”[1][2][3].
Stratton credits her foundational wrestling training for shaping her as a heel from the start, making villainy her comfort zone. Despite this, she is committed to refining her babyface persona and connecting with fans in a new way. “I’m still learning to be a babyface and be likable and not have so much stink on what I say in my promos. So, it definitely comes more natural for me to be a heel. However, bear with me. We’re learning. Maybe one day I’ll just go back to being a heel, but for now, we’re a little old babyface Tiffy,” she admitted openly[1][3].
Stratton, 26, who debuted in WWE’s NXT in late 2021 and quickly made a name as a charismatic heel, also announced ambitions to break the WWE Women’s Championship record for longest reign. Currently champion for more than 240 days, she will defend her title against Jade Cargill in a rematch on the September 12 edition of SmackDown, marking a key moment in her reign and character evolution[1][4].
Meanwhile, former WWE star and UFC legend Ronda Rousey continues to openly criticize WWE since her departure. While Rousey’s remarks remain pointed and unabated, sources close to the situation report that these comments have created backstage tension within WWE and among talent. Insider reports from Fightful and Wrestling Headlines have noted that Rousey’s criticisms often focus on creative directions and locker room atmosphere, reflecting her frustrations with how her wrestling career was managed relative to her MMA stardom[3].
A WWE insider shared, “Ronda’s outspoken nature hasn’t softened much since she left. Creative calls and talent relations have had to navigate around her comments, which are candid and sometimes harsh. She still has a fanbase, but her tone clashes with the current WWE culture that emphasizes storytelling and character development over shock value.” This ongoing dispute underscores internal challenges WWE faces balancing star power and locker room morale, especially related to crossover athletes[3].
Stephanie McMahon’s candid Attitude Era remarks, Tiffany Stratton’s evolving character insights, and Ronda Rousey’s sustained critiques form a snapshot of the dynamic and sometimes challenging environment backstage in WWE today. For fans and insiders alike, these narratives highlight ongoing shifts in WWE’s approach to storytelling, talent development, and managing its stars’ legacies.
Sources: “What’s Your Story?” Podcast; Fightful Wrestling; No-Contest Wrestling Podcast; Wrestling Headlines; WWE.com; Wrestling Noticias.