Ronda Rousey Issues Apology for Sandy Hook Controversy 11 Years Later

Controversies Involving Ronda Rousey & Other Wrestlers

6. Charlotte Flair Confrontation – After their match at Survivor Series 2018, where Charlotte brutally attacked Rousey with a kendo stick, reports surfaced that tensions were real behind the scenes.
7. Nia Jax Calling Rousey “Reckless” – Former WWE star Nia Jax publicly criticized Rousey for her stiff (real-looking) strikes, which Jax claimed could injure wrestlers.
8. Sasha Banks Shade – Sasha Banks reportedly disliked working with Rousey due to their different wrestling styles and the way Ronda was pushed as a top star immediately.
9. Tension with The Bella Twins – Rousey took shots at The Bella Twins, calling them “Do Nothing Bellas” and implying they only succeeded because of their relationships with John Cena and Daniel Bryan.
10. Backstage Heat for Leaving WWE – Some WWE superstars weren’t happy with how Rousey left the company in 2019 and again in 2023, feeling she was handed opportunities others worked years for.

1. Vince McMahon’s Insane Ronda Rousey Pitch Forced Top WWE Name to Quit and Wrestlers Refuse to Appear
   Vince McMahon’s controversial pitch for Ronda Rousey to eliminate all competitors in the Women’s Royal Rumble led to internal conflicts, causing top WWE producer TJ Wilson to temporarily leave the company and several former WWE stars to refuse participation.
2. Dana White’s Fury Revealed by UFC Legend 10 Years After Joe Rogan Asked Ronda Rousey ‘Idiotic’ Question
   Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen revealed that UFC President Dana White was furious after Joe Rogan asked Ronda Rousey if she’d fight again in five weeks without prior consultation, highlighting internal miscommunications within the organization.
3. Ronda Rousey’s Feud with UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste
   Ronda Rousey criticized the pay disparity between ring girls and fighters, specifically targeting Arianny Celeste, leading to a public feud that remains a notable topic in the MMA community.
4. Ronda Rousey’s Impact on Dana White’s Stance on Women Fighting in UFC
   Ronda Rousey’s success led UFC President Dana White to retract his 2011 statement that women would “never” fight in the UFC, acknowledging her pivotal role in breaking barriers for women in the sport.
5. Ronda Rousey Criticizes WWE’s Treatment of Female Wrestlers
   In 2024, Rousey criticized WWE for creating overly sexualized female wrestlers, highlighting the blurred lines between character and reality and calling out the organization’s sexist, patriarchal culture.
6. Ronda Rousey’s Departure from WWE Following Backstage Disagreements
   Rousey’s unexpected departure from WWE in 2023 was reportedly due to disagreements over creative direction and her booking within the company, leading to tensions with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
7. Ronda Rousey’s Criticism of WWE Fans
   Rousey expressed frustration with WWE fans, at one point calling them “ungrateful” and stating she didn’t need their support, leading to backlash from the wrestling community.
8. Ronda Rousey’s Feud with Becky Lynch
   During their heated rivalry, Rousey broke kayfabe (scripted storytelling) and personally attacked Becky Lynch on social media, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
9. Ronda Rousey’s Comments on WWE Being ‘Fake’
   Rousey upset many WWE wrestlers and fans by referring to professional wrestling as “fake fighting” during interviews, despite being a WWE star herself.

These articles provide insights into various controversies surrounding Ronda Rousey’s career in both MMA and professional wrestling.​

Former UFC and WWE superstar Ronda Rousey recently issued a public apology for her involvement in a Sandy Hook conspiracy theory video she shared 11 years ago. The controversy, which dates back to 2012, resurfaced in 2024 when Rousey addressed the issue directly, calling it “the single most regrettable decision of my life.”

The Origin of the Controversy

In the aftermath of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, several conspiracy theories emerged, falsely claiming that the event was staged by the government as part of a broader agenda to push gun control laws. One of the most prominent figures spreading these theories was Infowars host Alex Jones, who has since faced legal consequences for his misinformation campaign.

At the time, Rousey was at the peak of her UFC career, rapidly rising to fame as the promotion’s first-ever Women’s Bantamweight Champion. In early 2013, she shared a video on her then-Twitter account that promoted some of these conspiracy theories, implying that the shooting might have been a hoax. Her post immediately sparked backlash, but she never formally addressed the issue—until now.

Rousey’s Recent Apology

More than a decade later, Rousey publicly acknowledged her mistake in an interview, expressing deep regret for her actions. She admitted that she had been influenced by misinformation and failed to consider the consequences of spreading such harmful narratives.

“I was younger, less informed, and made an inexcusable mistake,” Rousey said. “I shared something without doing my own research, and for that, I deeply apologize. The Sandy Hook tragedy was real, and the pain that those families went through is unimaginable. There’s no excuse for what I did.”

Her apology came in response to renewed discussions about public figures who spread conspiracy theories and how they should be held accountable, especially as social media continues to play a significant role in shaping public discourse.

Public Reaction

Rousey’s statement received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. Some appreciated her willingness to admit fault, noting that few celebrities take responsibility for their past mistakes. Others, however, criticized her for waiting more than a decade to address the issue, arguing that the harm had already been done.

Sandy Hook Promise, an organization founded by the families of the victims, acknowledged her apology but emphasized the lasting damage caused by misinformation. “It’s important for public figures to use their platforms responsibly,” the organization stated. “We hope this serves as a reminder that spreading conspiracy theories has real-world consequences.”

The Bigger Picture

Rousey’s controversy highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially when amplified by influential figures. It also underscores the responsibility of celebrities to fact-check information before sharing it with their large followings. While her apology may not undo the past, it serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of social media and the need for accountability.

As Rousey continues her post-WWE career, this controversy remains a defining moment in her public image, demonstrating both the risks of reckless social media use and the importance of owning up to past mistakes.