Few moments in recent memory generated as much stir in the wrestling world as Ronda Rousey’s infamous 2019 vlog, where she seemingly broke character to criticize the business. As many suspected at the time, the former champion has now confirmed it was all part of the show.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey revealed that the viral promo was a deliberate worked shoot intended to blur the lines before her WrestleMania 35 main event.
“As soon as that thing cut, I burst out f—king laughing,” Rousey recalled. “I think Nattie [Neidhart] was there, too, and she was laughing in the background. … That’s what I felt like was the new way to work in this kind of information age, to blend that line between reality and what was part of the performance.”
The original comments, which spread quickly online, were delivered with full conviction. In the vlog, Rousey stated: “Wrestling is scripted. It’s made up. It’s not real. None of those b—tches can f—king touch me. The end.”
The interview also highlighted Rousey’s frustrations with her time in WWE, particularly regarding creative limitations around the WrestleMania 35 main event. She felt there wasn’t enough time to rehearse the match properly. “I was like, ‘They’re never gonna let me make it as good as it can be,’” she explained, adding that meeting the company halfway in a “range of mediocrity [was] crushing my soul.” (h/t Wrestling Inc)