AEW Criticized Over Handling Of Ronda Rousey’s Surprise Appearance

Ronda Rousey’s AEW appearance got plenty of attention, but Vince Russo had a harsh reaction to how the company allegedly handled her backstage before the surprise.

The topic came up during a discussion on the Coach and Bro Show, where Russo explained that he had previously seen AEW use a similar method for another returning star. He said the company once showed footage of Adam Cole being hidden backstage under a blanket in a wheelchair, which he already thought was over the top. But hearing that the same thing was allegedly done with Rousey pushed him even further.

“Coach, you got to know the backstory. First guys, years ago, they showed backstage footage of Adam Cole was returning to AEW after a long absence because of an injury. And they literally showed backstage Adam Cole showing up in a car. They immediately put him in a wheelchair and covered him with a black blanket and wheeled him throughout the back. They showed that — I saw this. So I'm like, ‘Bro, that is the stupidest most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life. All my years in wrestling, we had hundreds of surprises. We never ever did that.’ Then I'm doing a show this morning and I am smartened up — oh no. Oh no. They did that to Ronda Rousey. They sat Ronda Rousey in a wheelchair and covered her with a tarp and rolled her around the back.”

Russo didn’t stop there and questioned why a star of Rousey’s level would be hidden instead of promoted ahead of time. He argued that advertising her appearance could have helped bring more viewers to the show instead of relying on secrecy.

“Number one, at what point does Ronda Rousey say, ‘Are you out of your effing mind, bro? I'm freaking Ronda Rousey. I'm not some wrestling mark.’ That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Number two, this is your typical case, coach… you're k-fabing yourself. Why wouldn't you want them to know Ronda Rousey is going to be on the show? Then guess what — YOU MIGHT GET PEOPLE TO tune into the show. That's called k-fabing yourself. They wanted Ronda to be this big surprise. Why? Why, bro? Advertise she's going to be on the show. Don't hide her. Get it out there in social media. Oh my god — Ronda Rousey's going to be on AEW — and guess what? Maybe you'll have some more people watching the show. So all around, bro, this was absolutely ridiculous.”

Russo’s comments turned the focus away from the surprise itself and onto how it was handled behind the scenes. With Ronda Rousey being one of the biggest crossover names in wrestling and combat sports, his criticism centered on the belief that her presence should have been used to promote the show rather than kept hidden.