Stephanie Vaquer is reportedly dealing with a minor injury, according to WWE sources, but she is expected to continue wrestling without interruption. Despite being absent from Monday’s Raw episode, she returned to perform on Tuesday night’s WWE NXT show. WWE has confirmed that her injury is not serious and that she will remain active in her scheduled matches.
She has a minor injury. That’s the situation, but I think she’s wrestling next week…I don’t know the whole story, but I was told by WWE that it’s a minor thing, it’s nothing to worry about, and she’s going to be doing matches going forward,
Dave Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio.
Conversely, Bryan Alvarez suggested he had heard Vaquer was not injured at all. Nonetheless, Vaquer is advertised to compete next week at both WWE NXT Homecoming and WWE Wrestlepalooza events.
Anticipation Builds for WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia
WrestleMania 43 is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia on September 11, 2025, marking a significant occasion as the Kingdom celebrates the 300th anniversary of its founding. Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA), revealed the event through a Snapchat video, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting a high-profile show.
Efforts are underway to bring several legendary WWE stars out of retirement to make the event one of the most star-packed WrestleManias in history. Names reportedly targeted by the Saudi GEA and WWE include The Rock, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and The Undertaker, all potential big draws for this celebration.
According to Dave Meltzer, Saudi Arabia and WWE have been working closely to secure these former superstars, aiming to create an unforgettable experience for fans.
They’re paying the money for it and they have matches that they want and they’re working really, really hard to get. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to get them but they’re going to spend a lot of money to get what they want. Yes, we’re talking about anyone coming out of retirement that wants to come out of retirement of big name value will be able to get a lot of money on this show. I would presume all of those people would be contacted [Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, The Rock, Steve Austin] and the ones who want to do it will be able to. The ones who have any interest in a great payday, they’ll be able to get on that show,
Meltzer explained.
WWE originally planned to hold WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia in 2028 but brought the date forward to 2025 in response to Saudi Arabia’s wish to commemorate this historic occasion with a major event.
Broader WWE Developments: Return of Ilja Dragunov and Scheduling Challenges
Elsewhere on the WWE front, Ilja Dragunov is reportedly close to returning after being sidelined with a torn ACL since September 2024. Dragunov’s last match occurred at a house show against Gunther on September 28, 2024. Discussions are underway about a possible storyline involving Dragunov and Rusev, which would serve to reintroduce Dragunov to WWE television audiences.
Rusev, who returned to WWE after WrestleMania 41, has recently concluded a feud with Sheamus and is poised for new rivalries. The anticipated Dragunov-Rusev program aims to generate fresh excitement for WWE fans.
WWE’s scheduling strategy also remains a point of focus as they continue to counter-program against All Elite Wrestling’s events. Notably, WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW All Out will air on the same day, though with staggered start times—All Out at 3 pm ET and Wrestlepalooza at 7 pm ET—to avoid direct overlap.
Sean Ross Sapp commented on backstage reactions to these scheduling clashes, highlighting that wrestlers and staff typically accept it as part of the business without much fuss.
…counter-programming is not usually much of a talking point backstage and is usually just met with some eye-rolling and that’s the job comments. Older wrestlers and staff note it is the natural course of competition in pro wrestling, and they just show up and do their job.
—Sean Ross Sapp, Wrestling Journalist
Significance and Outlook for WWE and Stephanie Vaquer
Stephanie Vaquer’s minor injury and prompt return to action underscores WWE’s commitment to maintaining talent continuity amid competing entertainment pressures. With WrestleMania 43 poised to be a premiere spectacle in Saudi Arabia, the event’s success hinges on the participation of both current stars and returned legends, influencing WWE’s global appeal.
The possible return of notable figures like Ilja Dragunov and the emphasis on high-profile matchups will contribute to WWE’s efforts to retain audience interest in a fiercely competitive wrestling landscape. As WWE prepares for upcoming events like Wrestlepalooza and NXT Homecoming, fans can expect continued dynamic storytelling bolstered by the resilience of athletes such as Stephanie Vaquer.
