The Stephanie Vaquer booking controversy on WWE RAW has ignited strong negative reactions among wrestling fans after her surprising elimination from the Queen of the Ring tournament this week. The outcome of the Fatal Four Way match, which included Raquel Rodriguez, Ivy Nile, a returning Asuka, and Vaquer, left many questioning WWE’s creative choices, especially as Vaquer failed to advance to the semi-finals.
Fatal Four Way Match Decision Under Scrutiny
During this week’s RAW, Stephanie Vaquer, praised for her recent performances as the Dark Angel, competed against Raquel Rodriguez, Ivy Nile, and Asuka in a high-stakes match. Despite strong momentum and fan support, Vaquer was unable to secure the win. Asuka, making her first appearance back, emerged as the victor, advancing in the Queen of the Ring tournament and continuing a pattern WWE fans have noted in recent returns.
Former WWE head writer Vince Russo was among those expressing frustration regarding the booking decisions. Russo dissected the situation, stating,
“Again guys, I’m coming from a writing point of view. We’re looking at the four people in this match. Raquel Rodriguez has never won a match, she’s not going over. Ivy Nile has never won a match, she’s not going over. Here’s where they’re stupid. You know Asuka’s going over because it’s her first match back. They ran the same play with Kairi Sane a month ago. It’s Asuka’s first match back, she’s going over.”
—Vince Russo, Former WWE head writer
Alternative Storyline Proposed by Vince Russo
Russo also highlighted Vaquer’s rising popularity, suggesting it was a misstep to have her lose cleanly after gaining significant support from fans. Instead, he argued, WWE should have used Vaquer’s momentum to fuel a new storyline angle, perhaps by having her attacked before the match.
“If that’s the case, why are you putting Vaquer in the match when she’s getting over with the people? What you do is, she’s scheduled to be in it. Then you have somebody take her out and she can’t compete. Now, she’s in an angle and now you don’t have to beat her.”
—Vince Russo, Former WWE head writer
Vaquer, also referred to as La Primera, has earned attention for her performances in recent weeks, including her participation in the Money in the Bank match. Despite her loss, she remains one of the standout new talents on the main WWE roster.
Potential Impact on Stephanie Vaquer’s WWE Trajectory
This episode has sparked debates about creative direction within WWE, as fans and experts like Russo believe that more could be done with wrestlers like Stephanie Vaquer, especially while their popularity is surging. The decision to have Asuka advance at Vaquer’s expense echoes prior booking patterns that some feel undermine new stars, as seen with Kairi Sane’s return and immediate push.
Moving forward, it remains to be seen how WWE addresses the fallout from this controversial booking decision. All eyes are on how the organization will utilize Vaquer’s growing fan base and whether future storylines will better reflect her momentum. For now, the conversation continues among fans, further spotlighting the challenges and complexities behind WWE creative choices involving rising talents like Stephanie Vaquer.
