Former WWE superstar Ronda Rousey recently stirred controversy after openly criticizing her feud with Alexa Bliss, calling the booking decisions “f***ing ridiculous” during an appearance on The Lapsed Fan podcast. Rousey claimed the primary reason WWE paired her against Bliss was Alexa’s merchandise sales, dismissing the storyline as purely business-driven rather than creative or competitive. This candid remark quickly elicited responses from fans, fellow wrestlers, and industry insiders, reigniting debate about WWE’s booking philosophy and the treatment of female talent.
On the podcast, Rousey expressed clear frustration: “The fact that they had me fighting Alexa Bliss at all was fing ridiculous. You wanna know why they had me against Alexa Bliss? Because she had the most merch sales at the time. Like what the f! That’s your decision-making process?”[1][2][3] The blunt admission highlighted how commercial interests sometimes dictate WWE’s creative direction, even for marquee title programs.
Alexa Bliss, currently a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Charlotte Flair, responded to Rousey’s comments with class and a touch of humor via social media: “I love our business 🖤,” signaling both acceptance and pride in the wrestling industry despite the criticism[3]. Meanwhile, AEW star MJF underscored the economic reality behind pro wrestling booking, tweeting, “It’s almost like pro wrestling much like any professional sport functions as a business. F***ing crazy 🤯”[1][3].
Rousey and Bliss share a notable in-ring history from Rousey’s first WWE run. The two clashed multiple times in 2018 in highly promoted matches over the Raw Women’s Championship, with Rousey victorious at both SummerSlam and Hell in a Cell that year[1][3]. Despite winning the title and defending it successfully against Bliss, Rousey’s recent remarks suggest she was dissatisfied with being booked opposite Bliss, highlighting a tension between star power and backstage creative decisions.
Sources close to WWE have conveyed that Rousey’s comments reflect long-standing frustrations with how her wrestling career was handled by WWE’s management. According to a WWE insider speaking confidentially to Fightful, “Ronda was a huge star coming from MMA, but translating that into WWE storytelling and matches was challenging. The company leaned heavily on Alexa’s popularity for merchandise sales, which led to some creative clashes.”[2] This insider noted that merchandise sales are a significant factor in booking decisions, especially for women’s divisions, where fan engagement metrics strongly influence whom WWE pushes.
Rousey’s recent statements also coincide with news that she is “pretty much done” with professional wrestling, confirming her departure from WWE over a year ago and revealing no plans for a return anytime soon[1]. Her candidness about the business side of wrestling and her mixed feelings toward her run in WWE are viewed by many as part of her process of moving on from a complex era in her career.
Alexa Bliss, meanwhile, continues to flourish on WWE programming. Her current tag team title reign with Charlotte Flair has been praised for its “odd couple” storyline dynamics, further elevating Bliss as one of the top female talents on SmackDown today[1]. Her merchandise sales remain strong, cementing her position as a key WWE draw, which in part vindicates the strategy WWE employed years earlier to leverage her popularity[1][3].
Wrestling analysts and commentators have weighed in on the dispute. Speaking to WrestleTalk, industry insiders pointed out that while Rousey’s criticism might come off harsh, it illuminates the complicated relationship between wrestling as sport and entertainment business. Popularity, marketability, and merchandise sales often dictate who gets featured prominently on TV, sometimes at the expense of in-ring merit or fan preferences[3]. This dynamic is particularly visible in women’s wrestling, where WWE has experimented heavily with star pushes based on different factors beyond wrestling skill alone.
The controversy also recalls former WWE stars’ reflections on Rousey’s tenure. Becky Lynch once shared insights on why WWE “mishandled” Rousey, noting Rousey’s limited wrestling experience made it difficult to build compelling programs organically, which likely contributed to some awkward booking choices like the Bliss feud[5]. Such critiques add context to why WWE might have emphasized commercial metrics in those matchups.
In conclusion, Ronda Rousey’s recent remarks about her WWE feud with Alexa Bliss have sparked heated debate about the balance between wrestling storytelling and business imperatives. While Rousey views her pairing with Bliss as a booking misstep driven by merchandise sales, Bliss and others accept it as part of the wrestling industry’s reality. This episode underscores the ongoing tension within WWE—and pro wrestling broadly—between creative ambition and commercial strategy.
Backstage sources reveal that Rousey’s frustrations also stem from a desire for more meaningful storylines and recognition in WWE beyond merch-driven pushes. Whether WWE adjusts its booking philosophy for female talent going forward remains to be seen, but the controversy places a spotlight on how professional wrestling careers are shaped behind the scenes as much as inside the squared circle.