Ronda Rousey, the former WWE Superstar and MMA legend, chose not to submit to Becky Lynch during her WWE career, highlighting a rare instance of refusal known as the Becky Lynch tap out refusal. Despite facing many opponents, Rousey never tapped out to Lynch, maintaining her personal and athletic principles. This decision came due to the deep respect she held for her combat background and an important influence from her mother, which shaped her willingness to submit.
A Background of Athletic Excellence and Personal Convictions
Before joining WWE in 2017, Ronda Rousey was already a celebrated athlete. She gained global recognition as a pioneer in MMA, becoming the first female UFC champion with a record of 12 wins against 2 losses. Her athletic journey began as a prodigy in judo, training from the age of 11 and eventually becoming the youngest judoka to qualify for the 2004 Olympics. She earned a bronze medal in the 2008 Olympic Games, a reflection of her skill and intense dedication to the sport.
The importance of judo to both her and her mother played a significant role in her refusal to submit to Becky Lynch’s armbar, as tapping out conflicted with her competitive instincts and family legacy. Rousey’s identity as
“The Baddest Woman on the Planet”
was tightly linked to her approach in combat sports, where tapping out was never an option unless absolutely necessary.
Why Rousey Declined to Tap Out to Lynch
During an interview with The Lapsed Fan, Ronda Rousey explained that the notion of tapping to Becky Lynch’s armbar was brought up for a potential match at Survivor Series, but she firmly declined. She shared that submission was not something she accepted lightly, especially since in real-life competition she would rather endure a dislocated limb or being choked unconscious than surrender by tapping out.
“It was proposed that I tap out to her [Becky Lynch] armbar at Survivor Series, and I said my mother would disown me. Anytime anyone’s ever actually Armbar me in real-life, I would just let them dislocate it. So uhm, I’m not gonna do it. Anytime anyone ever choked me out in competition, I just went out, I don’t tap.” —Ronda Rousey, Former WWE Superstar
This statement underscores the intense conflict Rousey felt about the traditional wrestler’s tap out and the strong bond she had with her familial and competitive values, which guided her in professional wrestling and combat sports alike.
Shayna Baszler: The Only One Rousey Allowed to Submit To
Rousey revealed that the one person she was willing to tap out to was Shayna Baszler, a close friend and fellow fighter with shared MMA roots. Their bond and mutual respect led to a significant moment during Rousey’s final WWE match at SummerSlam 2023. In an MMA rules match, Baszler won by technical submission, marking a fitting and respectful end to Rousey’s WWE tenure.
“The only person I said that I would ever allow to submit me was Shayna [Baszler]. And that’s how I wanted to go out, so that’s how I went out.” —Ronda Rousey, Former WWE Superstar
This decision not only highlighted her loyalty and respect for Baszler but also served as a statement about her career and how she wanted to conclude it—with dignity and on her terms.
Impact and Legacy in WWE and Combat Sports
Ronda Rousey’s refusal to tap out to Becky Lynch adds a complex layer to her legacy in WWE, illustrating the tension between real-life combat sports values and scripted wrestling entertainment. Her choice reflects the intense personal code she adhered to throughout her career, emphasizing endurance, respect, and loyalty. The Becky Lynch tap out refusal symbolizes more than a wrestling moment; it shows how Rousey merged her MMA mindset with professional wrestling standards.
Her final match loss to Shayna Baszler under MMA rules brings closure to her WWE chapter, while reaffirming her status as a significant figure bridging both sports. As she moves forward beyond wrestling, this story stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by athletes transitioning across competitive disciplines, and highlights the complex emotional and symbolic weight of moments like submission and tapping out in combat narratives.
