Ronda Rousey Blasts WWE’s Public Image, Reveals Policy On Cosmetic Surgery
Ronda Rousey claims WWE’s public image is far different from reality.
Despite rising to become one of the biggest stars in the company, Ronda Rousey’s love of WWE was far from absolute.
In her explosive new book Our Fight which is set to be released on April 4th, the star hammers the likes of Vince McMahon, Bruce Prichard, and John Laurinaitis, while often speaking up in support of the women she shared the ring with.
In one chapter, Rousey lifts the lid on WWE’s approach to medical care, describing the company’s organizational image as “about as real as an Instagram filter.” The star adds that WWE “isn’t completely soulless” as it will cover “all boob jobs at 100%.”
Back in August, it was reported WWE no longer encourages female stars to have cosmetic surgery as it had done previously.
Before joining WWE, I had understood it was a business, but I had been under the impression it was run more like a multibillion-dollar sports franchise or major entertainment studio than like a two-bit circus run by a bunch of carneys. It’s fitting that the WWE prides itself on its social media presence and one billion combined followers because its elite, big budget organizational image is about as real as an Instagram filter.
WWE calls its wrestlers “Superstars” to the world. To the IRS, it calls us independent contractors. This distinction lets them off the hook when it comes to providing benefits like health insurance coverage or sick leave to the athletes that it expects to regularly launch themselves off ladders and through tables.
WWE will be quick to point out it covers in-ring injuries—meaning medical bankruptcy is something you don’t have to worry about when they ask you to jump off the top of a twenty-foot metal cage on to a guy standing two stories below—but when it comes to the daily wear-and-tear injuries that plague the vast majority of wrestlers, you’re on your own. It is worth noting, WWE isn’t completely soulless when it comes to helping its talent out with non-emergency medical procedures as WWE will cover all boob jobs at 100 percent.
Rousey went on to break down how WWE deals with travel expenses, and how this varies depending on the level of star involved.
Being an independent contractor also means that wrestlers are responsible for paying their own travel cost as they are ping-ponged around the country. International trips are an exception. The organization also covers stays at the designated TV hotel for the “Big Five” events—Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Money in the Bank, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series. But only because it’s easier when it comes to logistical and security concerns.
Otherwise, WWE assists with flying wrestlers into the first city and out of the last, but everything in between is on the individual’s dime. With the exception of a handful of wrestlers with bigger names, bigger contracts, and more clout (myself included) who are able to negotiate travel expenses into their contract, the overwhelming majority of talent pays out-of-pocket for travel to over a hundred different US cities a year.
Ronda Rousey Slams “Dirtbag” John Laurinaitis
Elsewhere in the book, the former UFC star recalled Triple H losing control of NXT with Vince McMahon and “his cronies” taking a bigger influence. This saw John Laurinaitis effectively run the brand — not that everyone was especially happy about it.
Ronda Rousey described the veteran as an “all-around dirtbag” who hired who hired women based on “f*ckability.”