Stephanie Vaquer recently vanished from WWE television, sparking speculation about her health and match status. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, Vaquer is dealing with a minor injury that led WWE to pull her from Monday Night Raw appearances but did not shelve her upcoming championship match[1][4]. Contrarily, Bryan Alvarez reported that Vaquer is not injured at all, highlighting the conflicting information circulating backstage[1]. Despite the uncertainty, WWE insiders and talent remain confident that her scheduled Women’s World Championship bout remains intact.
Vaquer’s title opportunity arose after a standout victory in a 20-woman battle royal at WWE’s all-women’s Evolution premium live event in July. Originally set to challenge then-champion Naomi at Clash in Paris, the match was canceled once Naomi announced her pregnancy and vacated the Women’s World Championship[1][2]. In the aftermath, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce confirmed Vaquer would still receive her championship shot for the now-vacant title but postponed the match beyond Clash in Paris[1][2].
On September 1’s Raw episode, WWE officially announced Vaquer’s new opponent for the Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY. The bout is scheduled for the Wrestlepalooza premium live event on September 20. Pearce explained he needed time to finalize opponent details before naming Sky to face Vaquer[1][2]. A contract signing was planned for September 8’s Raw but was abruptly pulled following Vaquer’s sudden absence, adding fuel to rumors regarding her condition and match status[1][2][3].
Though WWE talent spoken to by Fightful indicated confusion about Vaquer’s whereabouts and status—with some saying “probably more than meets the eye”—insiders maintain the Wrestlepalooza match will still occur as planned[2]. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp relayed that those backstage were adamant the championship bout was not in jeopardy despite Vaquer missing the contract signing[2].
Stephanie Vaquer reemerged last Tuesday on NXT, teaming with Rhea Ripley and new WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton against the Fatal Influence faction. This surprise appearance effectively quashed concerns about her absence signaling anything more serious. Her presence on NXT suggests WWE is managing her injury conservatively to ensure she remains in-ring capable ahead of Wrestlepalooza[3][5].
Backstage sources reveal that the minor injury Meltzer referred to does not appear to threaten Vaquer’s immediate future but was enough for WWE to temporarily withhold her from Raw to avoid aggravation ahead of her high-profile match. According to a WWE insider familiar with the situation, “Stephanie is expected to be fine and ready for Wrestlepalooza; they’re just giving her some needed rest and rehab time to be at 100% against IYO SKY.” This cautious approach underlines how WWE values Vaquer’s momentum as a rising star in the Women’s division[4].
Vaquer’s journey to a title run has been unconventional but impressive. After her Evolution battle royal win, which positioned her as a legitimate contender, the unexpected pregnancy announcement by Naomi and subsequent vacating of the title shuffled plans. WWE pivoted by rescheduling her match and selecting Sky, who was originally slated to contend for the title, emphasizing a narrative continuity within the Women’s World Championship picture[1][2].
As Wrestlepalooza approaches, WWE fans eagerly anticipate Vaquer’s championship match, now shrouded in slight mystery but seemingly secure. The company’s decision to hold off the contract signing and Vaquer’s absence from Raw were pragmatic moves driven by a minor injury rather than any creative shifts. Her NXT appearance not only reassured fans but also showcased WWE’s flexibility in managing talent across brands to maintain storyline momentum while addressing health concerns[3][5].
In conclusion, Stephanie Vaquer’s brief disappearance from WWE Raw and the canceled contract signing stemmed from a minor injury, as confirmed by Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, while conflicting reports exist about the extent of her condition. WWE remains committed to her Women’s World Championship match against IYO SKY at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, managing her recovery carefully to ensure she is primed for the high-stakes encounter. Sources close to WWE confirm that this is a temporary setback rather than a derailment of her championship aspirations, and fans can anticipate Vaquer’s continued rise on WWE programming in the coming weeks.
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