Credit: WWE.com
Former WWE star Ronda Rousey recently stirred controversy by openly criticizing her past storyline against Alexa Bliss, calling the booking decision “ridiculous” and attributing it mainly to Bliss’s merchandise sales, which sparked widespread reactions across the wrestling world. This development has reignited discussions about the dynamics within WWE’s women’s division and the business decisions behind marquee matchups.
Rousey Questions WWE’s Booking: “The Merch Sales Factor”
During an appearance on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Ronda Rousey criticized WWE’s rationale for pairing her with Alexa Bliss, stating bluntly that having her feud with Bliss was “fing ridiculous.” She directly alleged that the main reason behind this booking decision was Bliss’s high merchandise sales at the time, questioning the logic of basing matchups heavily on commercial appeal rather than storytelling or competitiveness. “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?” Rousey stated clearly, expressing disbelief over WWE’s priorities in her feud.
Rousey’s remarks reflect her frustration with how WWE managed her early WWE career. Prior to these comments, she had already shown signs of disconnect from wrestling, even confirming on the podcast that she is “pretty much” done with wrestling as a whole since leaving WWE and having her last match in November 2023.
Alexa Bliss’s Composed Response and Industry Reactions
Alexa Bliss quickly responded to Rousey’s remarks on social media, maintaining professionalism and positivity by tweeting, “I love our business 🖤.” Her statement suggests acceptance and pride despite Rousey’s disparagement, highlighting a mutual respect for the business despite differences in perspectives.
Meanwhile, MJF, a prominent AEW star, jumped into the conversation with a sarcastic quip, emphasizing the business aspect of professional wrestling: “It’s almost like pro wrestling, much like any professional sport, functions as a business. F***ing crazy 🤯.” His comment acknowledged the commercial realities behind booking decisions, which Rousey seemed to criticize but are widely understood within the industry.
Historical Context: Rousey vs. Bliss Feud
Rousey and Bliss’s feud took place in 2018, with Rousey defeating Bliss to win the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam and successfully defending the title at Hell in a Cell. Despite Rousey’s success in these high-profile encounters, her recent comments cast them in a more negative light, suggesting she felt the feud was forced or not creatively fulfilling.
A WWE insider familiar with internal backstage discussions noted, “Ronda was a massive star from MMA, and there was an expectation to capitalize on her crossover appeal. Alexa was hot merch-wise, so the company saw a business opportunity. But behind the scenes, it caused some friction over who got what creative spotlight.” This suggests that while the storyline was commercially motivated, it may have strained relationships and satisfaction among the talent involved.
Broader Reflections on WWE’s Booking of Women
Rousey’s criticism taps into a recurring conversation about how WWE often balances storytelling with business metrics like merchandise sales, social media presence, and fan engagement. Alexa Bliss remains a top WWE star, currently involved in a notable Women’s Tag Team Championship run alongside Charlotte Flair, illustrating her continued significance in the company’s women’s division.
Becky Lynch, another top WWE star and Rousey contemporary, previously hinted at the challenges faced during Rousey’s WWE tenure, suggesting that producers struggled to find the right creative direction for her a sentiment that aligns with Rousey’s apparent dissatisfaction. Such perspectives underscore the difficulty of integrating celebrities and crossover stars while maintaining authentic wrestling storylines that satisfy both the audience and the performers.
What This Means for the Future
Sources close to WWE speculate that Rousey’s candid remarks might impact any potential future collaboration or return. “When a former star publicly criticizes how they were used and throws shade at current WWE talent, it complicates any chance of coming back,” a WWE insider told us. “The company likes to keep things tight-knit, and Ronda’s comments crossing into internal business decisions won’t sit well.”
For Alexa Bliss, however, this episode seems only to underscore her resilience and growth as one of WWE’s premier women’s talents. Her rapid response and continued success illustrate how she has carved out a respected place on SmackDown and within the WWE hierarchy.
Final Thoughts
Ronda Rousey’s recent statements have fueled a vigorous debate about WWE’s creative booking policies, especially regarding women’s wrestling. While Rousey’s superstar status gave her a powerful position in WWE’s landscape, her critique highlights underlying tensions between artistic storytelling and business necessities like merchandise sales.
The wrestling community’s response from Bliss’s graceful acceptance to MJF’s pointed commentary showcases the multifaceted nature of professional wrestling as both entertainment and commerce. As WWE’s women’s division continues evolving, this controversy serves as a reminder of the complex forces that shape the sport behind the curtain.