Ronda Rousey: I’m Very Aware That Women Are Headlining In WWE Because Of Me
The impact of Ronda Rousey on combat sports and how it has impacted women cannot be understated. She ushered in the era of women’s MMA in the UFC and boosted the profile of women in the WWE, leading to the first women’s main event at WrestleMania and WWE Evolution.
Speaking to Zack Heydorn of SI’s The Takedown, Rousey commented on her impact on women in combat sports.
“I’m very aware that women are headlining WWE because of me,” Rousey said. “That women are headlining and making big paydays in boxing because of me. In bare-knuckle boxing, in full-contact karate, in everything that’s a contact sport. I’m very, very proud of seeing all the success the women are having, because I was able to prove their commercial viability, and everyone’s trying to recapture that lightning in a bottle.
“I’m so happy to see it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully understand the scope of those ripple effects — nor anybody else — but that’s not why you do it. I’m very, very proud, and it’s very cool to see. I’m glad it’s got to the point that things are so different that people forget how it used to be. I’m not mad at that. I’m proud.”
Rousey is set to return to the cage on Saturday when she fights Gina Carano.
