On the latest episode of the “Cheap Heat” podcast, host Peter Rosenberg strongly criticized recent public comments made by former WWE superstar Ronda Rousey. Rosenberg took issue with Rousey for what he perceived as disrespectful statements about her time in the company and her former colleague, Alexa Bliss.
Rosenberg began by addressing Rousey’s recent comments where she was critical of having to work with Bliss. “For her to blatantly criticize the fact that she worked with Alexa Bliss, as if Bliss was somehow beneath her, was yet another example of just Ronda Rousey needing to pry her foot out of her mouth,” Rosenberg said.
He clarified that his critique was not personal, stating that he “always thought she carried herself fine” during her time in WWE. However, he was not a fan of her on-screen presentation. “I never enjoyed her as a character,” he said. “I thought her in-ring work had a realism that made her potentially interesting.”
Rosenberg argued that Rousey, who came into WWE with a massive amount of hype, does not have the standing to speak that way about a dedicated, full-time performer. “Then was gifted Rowdy Roddy Piper’s entire gimmick, was given a fire expensive theme song to use. Got all the bells and whistles, all the big treatment, everything that you could imagine, and all we hear her do is complain about her time in WWE,” he stated.
“Can you just have a little class and not bury the people who work in the business, day in and day out,” Rosenberg continued. “This is a business that gave you a lot of money, a lot of fame, and you did quite well doing it… I just don’t know who she thinks she is.”
He contrasted her standing in the two sports she has competed in. “Criticize UFC fighters. No problem. You were an all-time great in MMA. You’re not an all-time great in wrestling. You’re not,” he said. “So you just don’t have the cachet to say things about people like Bliss… It is incredibly disrespectful.”
Podcast co-host Stat Guy Greg also weighed in, calling Rousey a “hypocrite” for her comments about Bliss being booked against her due to merchandise sales. “It’s actually Alexa Bliss who has the cachet, who should be saying something like this,” Greg argued. “The fact that they had Alexa Bliss fighting Ronda Rousey at all… That’s the part that’s ridiculous… The insult wasn’t to Ronda Rousey. The insult was to Alexa Bliss.”
Rosenberg did acknowledge that there may be a media bias in what gets reported about Rousey’s comments, and that she may have made positive statements that were not picked up by news outlets. “I’m not saying she doesn’t say more than that, and it doesn’t make news. I bet she has said positive things, and people just don’t talk about it. And that is shame on all of us,” he said.
Rousey has also been vocal about her appreciation for Natalya, who was instrumental in training her when she first arrived in WWE. In a 2022 interview with Daniel Cormier, Rousey credited Natalya for her guidance. “I was so lucky to have Nattie as my guide in the beginning. She was so patient and just amazing and just taught me so much,” Rousey said. She has also praised other performers she shared the ring with, including Charlotte Flair, whom she called an “amazing” performer after their match at WrestleMania 38. Rousey has also said positive things about Triple H and Stephanie McMahon and has made it clear that her issues in the company were primarily with Vince McMahon.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenberg with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
