Ronda Rousey has called out WWE’s culture regarding women, and the impact of the allegations and lawsuits against Vince McMahon.
From her upcoming autobiography, the follow excerpts (per Inside The Ropes) look at the issues women face within the company:
WWE loves to do well-produced video segments about the legacy of women within the organization, but the truth is women have largely been footnotes. For the longest time, they were relegated to serving male characters in a valet role, an overly sexualized supporting character that takes cheap shots when the ref isn’t looking. Over time, as the level of female talent grew and society as a whole started to shift, the organization gradually expanded the role of female wrestlers.
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 sexual 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 also points to the recent allegations and lawsuit against the former chairman of WWE as an example of the “blurred line between character and reality” throughout much of the company’s history.
The former WWE Women’s Champion had two stints with the company, with a couple appearances after her most recent run by way of the independent circuit in the Southern California area.
Her book Our Fight is set to be released April 4.
Source: Fightful