“S*xual favors in return for airtime” – When former Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey exposed WWE’s ‘casting couch culture’

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Rousey returned to WWE in 2022 after having a baby and won the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. However, in 2023, she departed the company. In her memoir, Our Fight, which was released in 2024, she discussed the alleged “casting couch culture” in the organization.

The Baddest Woman on the Planet claimed that people in powerful positions in the promotion asked female stars for inappropriate favors in return for airtime.

“WWE bills itself as a sports entertainment organization, and just like in the mainstream entertainment industry, there was, by all accounts, a casting couch culture where men backstage in powerful positions pressured female talent for s*xual favors in return for airtime. There were so many public accusations and scandals it’s hard to keep track, and more that I’m sure the WWE managed to sweep under the ring,” Rousey wrote. (H/T: TJR Wrestling)

WWE legend praised AEW for booking Ronda Rousey

On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T, who is currently a commentator in NXT, praised Tony Khan for booking Ronda Rousey on AEW TV at the correct time. The legend highlighted how Rousey was in the news because of her upcoming MMA return.

“Tony Khan is trying to move the needle any way possible. Ronda Rousey’s agent called Khan and said, ‘Ronda’s available—is there any interest in bringing Ronda to AEW Revolution?’ That’s something big, and Tony Khan is going to jump all over that, like he did. I can’t hate on it,” Booker T said. [H/T: Ringside News]

That said, it will be interesting to see whether Rousey makes a surprise appearance in World Wrestling Entertainment before her MMA bout in May because of Netflix’s involvement. For those unaware, Netflix is the streaming partner of the sports entertainment juggernaut and Rousey’s upcoming fight.