Ladies and gents, hold onto your wrestling masks because Stephanie Vaquer is making a seismic shift to WWE! The former CMLL and NJPW champion is set to debut with the United States-based promotion, and the backstage drama leading up to her signing is juicier than a soap opera finale.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Vaquer was still under contract with CMLL when the negotiations with WWE and AEW began. Both promotions were well aware of her talks, but despite the tug-of-war, they requested she fulfill her commitments at the upcoming NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania show in San Jose, CA. In a move that could be straight out of a wrestling storyline, CMLL even asked Vaquer to drop her CMLL Women’s title before her exit.
However, as fate would have it, Vaquer signed with WWE and couldn’t commit to the original Fantasticamania show. This twist led to her vacating the title and a subsequent Three-Way Match for the CMLL Women’s Championship, turning the event into a night of high drama. CMLL and NJPW quickly announced her departure, indicating her move to WWE—a clear sign since AEW, a partner of both, would have likely allowed her to finish her scheduled dates.
Vaquer’s star power was solidified during her electrifying match against Mercedes Mone at NJPW/AEW Forbidden Door. The performance caught the eyes of both AEW and WWE, with the latter swooping in to secure her talents. WWE fans in Mexico City are in for a treat as Vaquer will be introduced at the upcoming live event on July 13, though her first TV appearance remains under wraps.
Joining the WWE ranks alongside Vaquer is former IWGP Women’s Champion and Joshi star Giulia, who is set to debut in “WWE NXT” soon. It’s a dynamic duo poised to make waves in WWE’s women’s division.