2025 brought major upheaval to the WWE women’s division, with the Stephanie Vaquer WWE breakthrough at the heart of a period full of dramatic surprises, title shake-ups, and unexpected rivalries. As the year unfolded, rising and fading stars alike redefined the direction of women’s wrestling on wrestling’s biggest stage, leading to a reshaped roster and complex storylines that left fans conflicted and intrigued.
New Icons Ascend: The Standouts of 2025
This year, WWE’s landscape saw several talents push past their previous limitations and reach new levels of stardom. Leading this surge was Iyo Sky, whose remarkable journey in 2025 redefined her career after a string of losses and a failed babyface turn in late 2024. Despite those setbacks, Sky stunned fans by capturing the Women’s World Championship from Rhea Ripley on March 3. Her underdog status during the run-up to WrestleMania and enthusiastic connection with the crowd allowed Sky to break through. She retained her title in an acclaimed triple-threat match against Ripley and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania, even opening night two of the event with a performance that won praise as one of WWE’s best matches of the year.
Sky further solidified her newfound stature with an excellent outing at Evolution in July against Ripley, though she ultimately lost the WWE Women’s World Championship to Naomi, who cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. Nonetheless, Sky proves her consistency and connection with fans, notably wrestling Stephanie Vaquer at Wrestlepalooza in a highlight match, confirming her new role as a core figure of WWE’s women’s division.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Unprecedented Rise
Just as pivotal for the division’s transformation was the emergence of Stephanie Vaquer. Known as La Primera, Vaquer moved from obscurity to occupying center stage as a top titleholder in WWE. Her climb over 12 months has been remarkable—not only in terms of championship victories but also as a testament to evolving standards of what defines a star. Vaquer’s technical prowess, distinctive look, and calm in the ring set her apart, compensating for her still-developing English-language skills. Her signature move, the Devil’s Kiss, quickly won over audiences, though it has sometimes drawn controversial commentary reminiscent of an earlier era’s less progressive attitudes.
Vaquer debuted in NXT alongside Giulia in October 2024. The following January saw Giulia win the NXT Championship, but Vaquer soon surpassed her, seizing the NXT North American Championship in February and then dethroning Giulia a month later to simultaneously hold both NXT titles—a first for the brand. Her main roster debut in June was equally meteoric: Stephanie Vaquer won the vacant WWE Women’s World Championship from Iyo Sky in September, achieving the fastest title claim after main roster arrival for any woman in WWE history. She then captured the 2025 Crown Jewel Champion title after defeating Tiffany Stratton in October, further cementing her rapid rise.
Despite her swift ascension and impressive skills, Vaquer’s reign has cooled recently, in part due to communication barriers and less compelling rivalries with contenders such as Nikki Bella, Roxanne Perez, and Raquel Rodriguez. However, her symbolic leap from “la última” to La Primera speaks to a new ethos in WWE—one valuing in-ring ability and global diversity. Should Vaquer succeed in forging a stronger emotional bond with the crowd, as Iyo Sky has achieved, she may stand as the next pillar of the division.
Jacy Jayne Takes Center Stage
Jacy Jayne’s journey in 2025 proved equally surprising. Entering the year with a reputation based more on repeated setbacks than championship feats, Jayne changed the narrative by defeating Stephanie Vaquer for the NXT Title in May—arguably the year’s greatest upset. Labeled early on as a vulnerable champion, Jayne quickly silenced critics through a confident, charismatic reign. She delivered standout contests against Jordynn Grace and Lola Vice, raising her profile with the audience and winning praise for her renewed presence and in-ring growth.
July marked another milestone: Jayne won the TNA Knockouts Title, becoming the first competitor to simultaneously hold major titles in both NXT and TNA. She briefly lost the NXT Title to Tatum Paxley in October, only to regain it weeks later and join the elite club of two-time champions. Jayne’s rapid transformation in 2025 sets the stage for a possible successful move to WWE’s main roster next year.
Honorable Mentions: Emerging and Persistent Talent
Beyond the headline makers, stars such as Roxanne Perez and Naomi made credible gains in 2025. Naomi’s decisive cash-in of her Money in the Bank contract to defeat Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s World Championship at Evolution provided one of the year’s most dramatic moments. Roxanne Perez, though not always in the most visible title pictures, remained a consistent presence, contributing to the dynamism of WWE’s women’s roster.
Unexpected Downturns: Fading Stars of 2025
As new champions and breakout performers redefined success in WWE, several established names struggled to maintain their former standing. Giulia began 2025 riding high as the NXT Women’s Champion, her striking presentation and prowess offsetting her basic English. However, as Stephanie Vaquer’s momentum eclipsed her, Giulia’s trajectory was hindered by minor injuries and visa issues, leading to her losing the title to Vaquer in March. Giulia’s brief main roster stint proved disappointing—her alliance with Roxanne Perez was short-lived, and her partnership with manager Kiana James failed to ignite fan enthusiasm. After winning the United States Title from Zelina Vega, Giulia’s uninspired reign ended with an abrupt loss to Chelsea Green, and she largely disappeared from WWE programming thereafter, prompting calls for a character refresh to revive her status.
Tiffany Stratton, once positioned as the likely next face of the division following her NXT run and Money in the Bank 2024 win, also experienced a dramatic decline. Her tenure as WWE Women’s Champion started with a bold victory over Nia Jax but quickly faltered amid uninspiring character work and lackluster feuds. Her attempt at a babyface role left fans unconvinced, compounded by awkward promos and repeated in-ring mistakes. A victory over Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania was meant to define her era but was undermined by a poorly handled build-up and unappealing personal attacks. Further storylines against Trish Stratus, Nia Jax, and Jade Cargill failed to resonate, resulting in creative removing her from her champion’s perch. Stratton’s incomplete transformation and absence from TV indicate a major reset is needed if she is to reclaim glory.
Bayley, WWE’s inaugural Women’s Grand Slam Champion and Four Horsewomen member, similarly struggled to recapture past heights. Though she started the year competing for the Women’s Championship and in the Elimination Chamber, her momentum faded after being replaced by Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. Her June return featured ill-received character work, with promos that broke suspension of disbelief and failed to connect. Subsequent alliances and character shifts offered only middling success, and a series of defeats illustrated her diminished dominance in the division. Fans are left wondering whether Bayley can stage a meaningful comeback after a turbulent year.
The Lasting Effects of the 2025 WWE Shake-Up
The events of 2025, highlighted by the Stephanie Vaquer WWE breakthrough alongside dramatic ascents and falls for other key talents, have irrevocably altered the women’s division’s hierarchy and direction. The elevation of global talent, rapid shifts in fan perception, and the emergence of new booking philosophies underscore WWE’s willingness to take risks—though not all have succeeded equally. The year’s winners demonstrate the power of endurance, adaptability, and audience connection, while its declining stars face hard questions about how to remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape. As the wrestling world awaits 2026, these stories set the scene for even greater uncertainty, competition, and potential reinvention within WWE’s evolving women’s roster.
