Stephanie Vaquer: The Chilean Woman Who Conquered WWE and Breaks Barriers

Stephanie Vaquer: The Chilean Who Conquered the WWE Universe

Chilean star Stephanie Vaquer has climbed to the top of professional wrestling, leaving an indelible mark on WWE history. Her recent victory at Wrestlepalooza, where she was crowned women’s world champion, is just the latest milestone in a meteoric career that has led her to break barriers and inspire a generation. In the event, held in Indianapolis, Vaquer executed a spectacular “Spiral Tap” on her opponent, Iyo Sky, securing the victory and the title. This triumph made her the first South American woman to win a WWE championship, an achievement that celebrates a year of meteoric rise within the company.

It was the best fight of my career so far, and the result of the fight was the dream of my life.

Stephanie Vaquer

Her television debut on NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, in October 2024 marked the beginning of a new stage. In March, she became the first NXT double champion, before moving up to WWE’s main roster in June. The road to the Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza was a demonstration of her talent and dedication. The match against Iyo Sky, considered one of the best in the world, was rated a B+ by experts, a testament to the quality and emotion that Vaquer brings to the ring. Vaquer herself expressed her pride in competing against a rival she has admired for years. Now, Vaquer is preparing for a new challenge: to face Tiffany Stratton, the current WWE Women’s Champion, in a champion vs. champion match at Crown Jewel, which will be held in Perth, Australia. This encounter could be the prelude to her participation in WrestleMania, where she could continue to make history.WWE Post Description: A post shared by WWE (@wwe) showing Stephanie Vaquer’s celebration after winning the championship.

Caption: Stephanie Vaquer celebrates her victory at Wrestlepalooza, where she won the WWE Women’s World Championship on September 20 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images. The Wrestlepalooza title win is another milestone in Vaquer’s career, who has already made history in the world of wrestling. Nicknamed “La Primera”, Vaquer has been the first South American woman to excel in promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and NXT. In each of these companies, she has worn the gold around her waist. The nickname “La Primera” (The First) came from a Mexican journalist who presented her as “the first South American in Japan, the first South American in Mexico… in short, La Primera”. This nickname was consolidated when Vaquer became the first woman to simultaneously hold the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Women’s Championship.

I like it because, far from being a character, it’s a reality. It’s something that has marked history. I have had the good fortune, perhaps the great opportunity, to be the first South American in many aspects within wrestling, and that has identified me as a pioneer.

Stephanie Vaquer

Legend: Stephanie Vaquer became the first woman to simultaneously hold the NXT Championship and the NXT North American Women’s Championship, after defeating Giulia in the main event of NXT: Roadblock on March 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Courtesy of WWE. The road to the top was not easy for Vaquer. At 19, he left Chile to seek opportunities in Mexico, where the culture of wrestling would allow him to achieve his goals. However, the challenges were not long in coming. He suffered a broken nose that kept him away from the ring for more than a year.

The WWE landscape and the women’s division has just changed with Stephanie Vaquer becoming women’s champion.

Paul Michael Levesque, Triple H, on Vaquer’s victory at Wrestlepalooza

During his stay in Mexico, Vaquer found support in a restaurant, where he could work and have a roof over his head. The owner, a big fan of wrestling, offered him his help, allowing him to live and eat in the establishment. After his time in Mexico, Vaquer had a distinguished career in CMLL, followed by opportunities in NJPW and other international promotions before arriving at NXT and, finally, WWE. At 32 years old, Vaquer has been pushed as a star since her WWE debut in October 2024, and is now established. The wrestler has expressed her gratitude for the support she receives from the company she always dreamed of joining. It was Stephanie McMahon, former wrestler and former president and co-CEO of WWE, who raised Vaquer’s hand in a sign of victory at WWE Evolution in July, when the Chilean won the battle royal that guaranteed her the opportunity for the title at Wrestlepalooza. WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul Michael Levesque, known as Triple H, traditionally shares a social media post congratulating the new champions after their coronation. At Wrestlepalooza, Levesque celebrated Vaquer’s victory, highlighting the importance of his achievement. Vaquer and Stratton are part of a group of female wrestlers who continue the legacy of figures like Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Bayley, who have raised the level of women’s wrestling in the last decade. Vaquer is eager to continue raising the level of women’s wrestling and face new challenges. After conquering Sky and with Stratton as the next target, Vaquer already has his ideal rival in mind, who could it be? Rhea Ripley, whom he admires and considers a great friend. And, why not think about WrestleMania?