Ronda Rousey on WWE’s Divas Revolution: ‘I Want to Be a Part of It’
As is the case with seemingly everything she does, Ronda Rousey made headlines earlier this year when she stepped inside the ring at WrestleMania – and all she did that night was slap a semi-submission move on Vince McMahon’s daughter.
Imagine what would happen if she actually decided to answer WWE Divas Champion Charlotte’s “anytime, anywhere” challenge for the title. Actually, you probably don’t have to imagine it – because Rousey says it’ll happen, one way or the other.
“I’m ready,” she laughs. “I’ve seen NXT, I remember Nattie and Charlotte’s match for the title. Nattie was actually training with the original Four Horsewomen to get ready for that fight. I have so many obligations, but I really want to find a way to make it happen. I’m a huge fan wrestling, and I would like to see the position of women in the sport continue to improve, so if I can be a part of it, great.”
Anyone who’s watched wrestling over the past few years can attest to Rousey’s fandom and the gradual progress WWE’s women’s division has made, an evolution that began down in NXT and has slowly been integrated onto the main roster in the form of the so-called “Divas Revolution.” There are those who would even go so far as to suggest it was Rousey’s fame that finally convinced Vince McMahon to give women’s wrestling an honest shot. But she’s not buying it.
“I’m really encouraged by the progress I’ve seen with what they’re doing with the women in WWE, but I feel like there’s a lot more than can be done,” she says. “They’re doing some of it now, too. I’m really excited that they’ve brought up all these great women from NXT, who are all different from the normal mold they would use for the Divas division. I’m not going to take credit for anything, but I definitely want to be part of it as much as I can.”
Of course, in the mean time, Rousey’s schedule is predictably full. On November 14, she’ll defend her Women’s Bantamweight title against Holly Holm, and she has already committed to several films, including a Road House remake. But she’ll keep watching – “Some girls sit around and watch Gossip Girl together,” she says. “Me and my girlfriends watch Raw and SmackDown.” – and waiting for her moment. Just don’t ask if it’ll come at WrestleMania 32.
“Uh, well, I’m going to be filming at that time – and I don’t want to ruin any surprises anyway,” Rousey says. “If you’re a wrestling fan, you’ll just let it happen.”
ROLLING STONE
