The closing episode of WWE RAW in 2025 brought intense action as Stephanie Vaquer successfully defended the Women’s World Championship in a fiercely contested triple threat match against Nikki Bella and Raquel Rodriguez. The stunning moment came when Stephanie Vaquer pinned Nikki Bella, sparking an uproar among fans and raising questions about why Nikki, a veteran and Hall of Famer, was the one counted out. The situation has exposed bigger WWE strategies at work involving key names like Raquel Rodriguez and upcoming major events.
Why Raquel Rodriguez Was Spared From the Pinfall
In recent weeks, WWE has placed a spotlight on Raquel Rodriguez, positioning her as a strong contender in the Women’s World Championship picture. The company has been booking Raquel in significant matches, reflecting their intent to protect her reputation within the Judgment Day faction. By allowing Nikki Bella to take the loss in the triple threat match, WWE ensures Raquel does not appear to be definitively beaten, preserving her momentum. This booking can also offer Raquel a reason to challenge again in the future, arguing that she was never pinned directly by Stephanie Vaquer for the title, keeping her title ambitions alive.
Nikki Bella’s Potential Hiatus From Television
It is a common WWE practice to write off major stars through losses in high-stakes matches, and Nikki Bella’s pin may be a deliberate move in this direction. With this outcome, the company creates an opportunity to temporarily remove Nikki from television, potentially giving her character a hiatus. Fans are speculating that Nikki might make her return at the WWE Women’s Royal Rumble, aligning herself with the start of the road to WrestleMania 42. This absence not only fuels anticipation for Nikki’s comeback, but also shifts audience focus onto other rising superstars in her absence.
Establishing Stephanie Vaquer’s Authority Over Nikki Bella
The ongoing rivalry between Nikki Bella and Stephanie Vaquer has been a central storyline in the Women’s World Championship scene. Their intense bout at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2025 previously ended with Stephanie retaining her title after pinning Nikki. That result led Nikki to demand a rematch, setting the stage for the latest encounter on RAW. By pinning Nikki again in this triple threat scenario, Stephanie Vaquer demonstrated her dominance and reinforced her status as a dominant champion. This second consecutive pinfall over a Hall of Famer underscores Stephanie’s firm grip on the title and may well signal the end of the Nikki-Stephanie feud, at least for now.
This outcome could also mean that Nikki Bella may not be immediately considered for another Women’s World Title shot, as Stephanie’s clear victories have asserted her superiority for the time being. WWE may use this conclusion to pivot Nikki and Stephanie towards new storylines or rivalries, offering a refreshed dynamic for both stars on the RAW roster. What lies ahead for both women remains uncertain, but fans will be watching closely to see how the company writes the next chapter after such a decisive outcome and whether Stephanie Vaquer’s reign continues to shape the Women’s World Championship landscape.
NIKKI BELLA FLEXING THAT SHE IS A WWE HALL OF FAMER 🔥#WWERAW
pic.twitter.com/6PDjwdlvqA— TOMWWE99 (@tomwwe99) December 30, 2025
