Stephanie Vaquer secured the Women’s World Championship title at Wrestlepalooza by defeating Iyo Sky on September 20. This championship was vacant after Naomi relinquished it on the August 18 episode of WWE RAW due to her pregnancy, prompting a highly anticipated match for the crown.
The originally planned bout between Naomi and Vaquer at Clash in Paris PLE was canceled, leading to the rescheduled contest at Wrestlepalooza. The match was a thrilling contest featuring dynamic grappling exchanges and impressive aerial maneuvers from both competitors. In the final moments, Sky attempted her signature Over the Moonsault maneuver, but Vaquer countered by raising her legs. Immediately following, Vaquer ascended the top rope and executed a Spiral Tap splash to secure the victory and the championship.
Following her win, Vaquer shared a heartfelt celebration with her father, who had traveled from Chile to witness her historic achievement live.
Vaquer Reflects on the Meaning Behind Her Championship Win
Wrestlepalooza also marked a milestone as the first WWE premium live event to air on ESPN in the United States. After the match, Vaquer spoke with Peter Rosenberg about the significance of her triumph. She revealed that achieving the Women’s Championship had been a lifelong dream she had pursued for 15 years and that winning on her father’s birthday made the moment especially meaningful.
This is the dream of my life. I dream with this every day the last 15 years. So for me, my big dream with my dad, first time seeing me live in my match, make history today. First time he see a match show. Wrestling, yes. Ever. First time ever. Yeah, and his birthday.
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H also disclosed during the Wrestlepalooza post-show that Vaquer had been struggling with illness, which had caused her to appear inconsistently on WWE programming prior to this event.
Other Noteworthy Moments at Wrestlepalooza
In addition to Vaquer’s landmark victory, other headline matches included Cody Rhodes successfully defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre. This encounter reinforced Rhodes’ rising dominance within the WWE roster, as he retained his title amidst fierce competition.
Meanwhile, AJ Lee emotionally reunited with her former WWE stablemates from 2012–2013, sparking nostalgic memories for fans of that era. Tiffany Stratton’s Women’s Title defense was removed from the Wrestlepalooza card and relocated to a SmackDown event, a change WWE explained to fans prior to the show.
Controversy also surfaced as a prominent WWE star accused Cody Rhodes of blocking other talents in his pursuit to remain champion. Across the event, Paul Heyman made a surprising appearance ringside ahead of Brock Lesnar’s match, adding intrigue to the Wrestlepalooza narrative.
Additionally, ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith named Goldberg the top wrestler ever, a comment that led to an animated response from Triple H.
Finally, WWE unexpectedly acknowledged Vince McMahon during Wrestlepalooza, reflecting on his resignation as executive chairman of TKO Group in January 2024.
The Lasting Impact of Stephanie Vaquer’s Historic Victory
Stephanie Vaquer’s championship win at Wrestlepalooza is a pivotal moment for WWE, symbolizing perseverance and the realization of long-held dreams. As a Chilean-born wrestler making waves on an international stage while overcoming personal challenges, Vaquer represents a new wave of passion and determination in professional wrestling.
Her triumph underlines the growing global reach of WWE, with Wrestlepalooza heralding a new era through its ESPN broadcast. Moving forward, Vaquer’s reign as Women’s World Champion is set to elevate her profile and inspire fans and athletes alike, while promising exciting matchups in upcoming WWE events.
