Former WWE Writer Tom Casiello Calls Out WWE For Their “Lazy” Writing Of Ronda Rousey’s Raw Promo

Jeremy LambertOctober 17, 2018, 7:18 pm

Tom Casiello knows a thing or two about writing women in the WWE.

The former WWE writer spent five years — 2011 to 2016 — in the company, working closely with the women’s roster. Casiello previously spent a decade working in television as a soap opera writer. After seeing Ronda Rousey’s promo on Monday Night Raw, Casiello offered up his thoughts about the storyline.

I am SO proud of WWE for investing so much in their women’s divisions…

…and I’m also SO grateful they regurgitated YET ANOTHER “women can’t be successful unless they sleep their way to the top” promos, to remind us how much work still needs to be done. #BothThingsCanBeTrue

— Tom Casiello (@tommiecas) October 17, 2018

Rousey’s promo aimed at Nikki Bella divided many fans on social media on Monday. Some loved Rousey injecting real life drama into the feud by bringing up Bella’s relationship with John Cena. Others thought it was out of character for Rousey and unnecessary as WWE tries to portray women as independent.

Casiello continued to call out WWE for their “lazy” writing on Monday.

Lazy, and has nothing to do with the story being played out. I mean, I hated every time we went there, but at least w/AJ it connected to the story (and Nicole had a leg to stand on in return (Punk)…so AJ being a hypocritical heel helped me a little.) This was a shitty cheap pop

— Tom Casiello (@tommiecas) October 17, 2018

And when you say “line of the year”, you mean “the line of 2013”, when AJ first used a variation of this sentiment? Or “the line of 2016”, when Carmella used another variation of it? It can be so confusing to narrow down a “line of the year” when it’s used in so many years.

— Tom Casiello (@tommiecas) October 17, 2018

I see your point that it means different things from different characters. Much as I adore Carmella, I don’t think anyone at home was thinking “if Carmella said it, it must be true!” — This just doesn’t fit in this story. It’s manufactured, outdated, and lazy. On top of sexist.

— Tom Casiello (@tommiecas) October 17, 2018

You can view the promo and judge for yourself in the video above.