Becky Lynch had been using “if you can’t hack it, get your jacket” against Ronda Rousey for months. Lynch offered an expanded version of that line in a new interview with Sports Illustrated. Justin Barrasso doesn’t include the question he asked to get this quote, but the article sets it up by comparing Becky’s belief she was “built” for the wrestling business to Rousey, who even before the build to her WrestleMania 35 main event with Lynch and Charlotte Flair began was talking about how much she disliked being away from home.
“Only four months after having a part-time schedule, after making her debut at WrestleMania - having been on the cover of everything, just handed everything, she was crying in her kitchen about how she couldn’t make her husband breakfast. She couldn’t hack our schedule. Yet we do this every single night, 52 weeks a year, yet she couldn’t handle it for four months.”
The quote has raised some eyebrows for calling attention to the strain of life as WWE Superstar, especially as John Oliver’s HBO show just recently questioned the role the required workload has likely played in the early deaths of numerous pro wrestlers. It may be insensitive to use it as trash talk, but the ability to handle the load is part of the culture of the business. Many, including the CEO of WWE Vince McMahon, see being able to “hack it” as a point of pride. If Lynch is in the wrong for slamming Rousey this way, she’s hardly alone.
Another criticism is that this is somehow sour grapes from The Man. She got her match and has her titles, Ronda has exited the stage - so Becky should be more gracious in victory. But that Lynch is still running down the UFC legend says to me there’s a good chance she’ll be back for another main event payday or two. As with her other remarks about their match last Sunday (April 7) in New Jersey, Bex is planting the seeds for the continuation of their program - whenever Rousey can return to do so.
She’s kept people talking with this quote to SI, which is part of her job as a face of the company. I doubt WWE is upset.
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