I had the same issue and I had rage quit a few times. :)
In VMWare settings, create a new hard disk of at least 16 GB and attach to the guest macOS VM.
Boot the macOS VM and format the new hard disk in the guest macOS VM as JHFS+ (not APFS), which is also known as extended journaled"Mac OS Extended (Journaled)", in GUID format.
Download the Install Big Sur/Monterey etc application from the App Store.
Create a bootable recovery disk on the disk created in step 2 using the instructions here (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372) on the new hard disk.
Shutdown the guest macOS VM.
From the VM settings -> Startup Disk -> Highlight the new hard disk from Step 1 and then select the
Restart
button.OR
If using VMWare workstation/Player, access the firmware by spamming the R or F12 key and change the boot order so the disk created in step 2 is first.
Then you will be on the installer, select your language then choose terminal and enter
csrutil disable
and will see the confirmation message and BOOM it is turned off and you can shed a few tears of joy and enjoy the ego. :)Restart and enter the firmware using the R or F12 key and change the boot order back to original settings.
If you are still having issues, I can try and make a video.