Former WWE Women’s Champion and UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey recently opened up about the mixed emotions she experienced during her WWE career, revealing that while she often felt relaxed and confident, some backstage situations brought significant stress. Her candid reflections came during episode 700 of the Bertcast podcast with comedian Bert Kreischer, providing fans with a rare glimpse behind the curtain of her wrestling journey.
A Unique Perspective on WWE Stress
Ronda emphasized that, surprisingly, she generally felt zero pressure and stress during WWE matches and promos, which contrasted with the tension many veteran wrestlers describe. She attributed this in part to her different background, stating that when others were visibly stressed, she viewed the process as “playing around” and tried to keep it fun and lighthearted.
“The funny thing is it was zero pressure, zero stress for me but everybody else who’s done only that their whole life, it’s very stressful.”
Her outsider’s mindset allowed her to approach wrestling with a fresh attitude, seeing the physical and performance demands as exciting challenges rather than sources of anxiety.
Moments of Real Stress Behind the Scenes
Despite her overall calm, Rousey admitted there were times when backstage chaos made her anxious. She detailed scenarios where shows turned into disorganized “s–t shows,” and she was forced to enter a match without clear instructions, improvising on the spot with little wrestling experience.
In addition, Ronda touched on the difficulty of performing promos that didn’t resonate with her personally—scripts she didn’t believe in and expected would be poorly received by the audience. These moments challenged her comfort zone and created noticeable stress.
“When it would be such a s–t show backstage that I would be going out to do a match that I don’t even know what it is and have to improvise it out there with zero experience, basically. Or I just got handed some promo that I have to say that I don’t believe in that everyone is going to s–t on. Those are kind of stressful experiences.”
This behind-the-scenes unpredictability is a familiar complaint among many WWE talents, especially for those new to the scripted environment.
Confidence When Prepared and Connected
Ronda made clear that when she knew what to expect and felt confident in the match setup, she was excited and in a great mood heading into her performance.
“But in general, if you know what the match is and you know it’s going to be a good match, I’d be in a great mood and excited to jump out there.”
This highlights how preparation and trust in the creative process can reduce stress and elevate performance—even in a high-pressure entertainment sport like professional wrestling.
Insider Insights: The Pressure Beyond the Ring
A WWE insider familiar with locker room dynamics confirmed Ronda’s experiences reflect a broader truth about WWE’s backstage environment:
“WWE is a complex machine, and those new to it often face stressful surprises, ranging from last-minute changes to uncomfortable promos. Veterans learn to adapt, but newcomers like Ronda had to figure it out live, which can be intense.”
This insider added that Rousey’s athletic mindset helped her handle unpredictability better than most, even if it was still taxing.
Rousey’s Vocal Challenges and WWE Promos
Building on Ronda’s comments during the podcast, some wrestling analysts have pointed out that her promo work was sometimes uneven, impacted by factors such as last-minute script changes and her candid, straightforward style clashing with wrestling’s theatrical nature.
Experts note that Rousey openly discussed having issues like apraxia—a speech disorder affecting her promo deliveries—making her WWE mic work an additional challenge beyond physical wrestling[5]. Such factors likely contributed to her stress when delivering scripted lines she didn’t believe in, as she revealed.
Ronda’s Evolving Perspective Post-WWE
Following her WWE run, Rousey has been reflective and open about her wrestling experiences, using platforms like podcasts to give fans honest storytelling. Her willingness to share vulnerability resonates with fans who understand the complicated balance between performance, personal expression, and behind-the-scenes realities in pro wrestling.
As a former champion with a decorated MMA background, Ronda stands out for how she bridged two demanding worlds, showing resilience both physically and mentally.
Ronda Rousey’s reflections reveal that even top-tier athletes and performers face moments of uncertainty and stress, especially in a scripted sport like WWE. While her confident exterior and fighting spirit helped her approach WWE with fun and excitement, the unpredictability backstage and difficult promos were real stressors.
Her insights provide an honest look into the WWE experience that many fans rarely see—a blend of exhilaration, improvisation, and the human side of wrestling’s bright spotlight.