On the February 16, 2026 episode of WWE RAW, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer issued an apology following a contentious comment made during an intense backstage exchange with Liv Morgan. The incident unfolded live at the WWE arena, drawing immediate attention due to Vaquer’s remarks about professional wrestling in her home country of Chile.
Events Leading to the Dispute Between Vaquer and Morgan
The tension on RAW began after Asuka secured her place in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match by defeating Natalya and Bayley in a Triple Threat contest. Shortly after, Michael Cole interviewed Liv Morgan backstage. Morgan, the winner of the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, has yet to reveal whether she will challenge Vaquer or SmackDown Women’s Champion Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42. During the interview, Morgan appeared playful, enjoying the suspense around her decision.
Vaquer’s Remarks Spark Controversy During Backstage Segment
The situation escalated when Stephanie Vaquer entered the backstage room and delivered a promo in Spanish, with Dominik Mysterio attempting to translate her words. Vaquer criticized Morgan for speaking about hard work while supposedly not understanding real struggle, suggesting Morgan had received numerous opportunities from WWE. She then reflected on her career, stating that professional wrestling “doesn’t exist” in Chile, which immediately triggered backlash across social media platforms.
Exchange Intensifies Before Emotional Reaction From Morgan
Vaquer accused Morgan of hiding behind influence from The Judgment Day faction and warned that WrestleMania 42 would end in Morgan’s defeat if she chose Vaquer as her opponent. The confrontation concluded with Morgan visibly emotional, reflecting the high stakes and personal nature of the dispute.
Stephanie Vaquer Issues Clarification and Apology via Social Media
After the episode aired, Vaquer used her Instagram Story to clarify her earlier statement about the wrestling scene in Chile. She explained that her comment was about the lack of development in Chilean professional wrestling at the time she left the country, not a dismissal of the current state of the sport. Vaquer expressed regret for the wording used live and extended her respect to Chilean wrestlers. She wrote,
“Today I made a mistake by saying, ‘In Chile, professional wrestling doesn’t exist.’ It does exist, and we have excellent representatives and a tremendous amount of talent. What I meant to say is that it didn’t exist at the time I emigrated from my country; back then, professional wrestling was not developed in Chile. It was a mistake in wording during a live television broadcast. I offer a sincere apology and send a big hug to all Chilean wrestlers who, through effort and dedication, have made professional wrestling in Chile a reality today. My respect and heartfelt apologies.”
?Stephanie Vaquer, Women’s World Champion
Community Response and Ongoing Discussion
The apology was welcomed by many within the wrestling community, including fans and industry observers. LuigiWrestling tweeted in support of Vaquer, noting that although the comment had been widely understood as referring to a past context, the apology was appreciated.
Overview of the Segment’s Impact on WWE Storylines
This segment highlights the ongoing rivalry and storyline development ahead of WrestleMania 42, with Liv Morgan’s decision about her opponent still pending. The personal nature of the confrontation adds depth to the narrative surrounding Vaquer and Morgan, setting the stage for future conflicts.
What This Means for WWE and Stephanie Vaquer’s Career
Vaquer’s prompt apology demonstrates professionalism amid controversy, helping to repair relations with fans and fellow wrestlers in Chile. It also brings attention to the growing wrestling scene in Chile, possibly increasing international interest. Looking ahead, Morgan’s choice of WrestleMania opponent and the fallout from this incident will likely shape WWE’s women’s division storytelling in the coming weeks.
Stephanie Vaquer ha pedido disculpas en Instagram por su frase en el #WWERAW de ayer, en el que dijo que la lucha libre en Chile no existe y que se refería a que no existía cuando se fue del país.
Yo creo que muchos lo entendieron, aunque entiendo que se disculpe. pic.twitter.com/b9L7jD8wgq
— LuigiWrestling (@LuigiWrestling) February 17, 2026
