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Stephanie Vaquer (@Steph_Vaquer) is a professional wrestler with WWE and the current Women’s World Champion. She sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Las Vegas, NV to discuss winning the Women’s Championship at Wrestlepalooza and celebrating with her father afterwards, her upcoming championship defense against Liv Morgan at WrestleMania 42, her new finisher and new entrance theme, how Booker T reacts to The Devil’s Kiss on commentary, possibly turning heel, how she has improved her English and more!

What have these last six months or so been like since I saw you?

“Many things happened. I’m always saying my life is like a crazy TV show. When I have a dream or something, in my head, it always happens differently, but better. So the last six months, the last year, was amazing.” 

So how does it feel going into your first WrestleMania, and not just your first WrestleMania, but you’re going into this match defending your world title?

“Yeah, I remember, one year ago, I was in the WrestleMania arena. I saw all the arena, and I said, one day I really want to be here. But in that moment, I never think I can do that so fast. This year, I’m not just there with the title, I’m with my WWE Women’s Championship. So it’s amazing. It’s more than my dream.” 

What a special moment when you won this championship. It was at Wrestlepalooza, and your dad is sitting there in the front row, and on top of that, it’s his birthday. Couldn’t be a better birthday present for him? 

“No, but this is amazing, because that’s a long history. Before Wrestlepalooza, [it was] supposed to be I go to Clash in Paris. I was really, really sick, so they cancel my participation in Clash in Paris. I’m so, so sad. So after, WWE said, Don’t worry, we have iced the story for you. Wrestlepalooza is a big event; it’s the first Wrestlepalooza, so I’m excited. One week before, I get sick again, I feel like sick again. So medical say, Okay, I’m sorry, but you can’t go to Wrestlepalooza. I already have the ticket, the flight for my dad and everything and like that. That was so hard in that moment, but I talked with Triple H, and I talk with many people in WWE and say, No, I’m ready. I’m not sick. I feel good. I can do that. Please just let me go, I can do that. Finally, I was there, and that was amazing, because it’s not just Wrestlepalooza, big event with IYO SKY, my dad was there and my dream that Women’s World Champion.”

You’ve had this championship now since September, you’ve had some amazing matches. I want to start off with this one that you’ve had with IYO SKY. You guys stole the show in Indianapolis at Wrestlepalooza. What was the idea putting that match together? Because it was just a banger.

“I really enjoyed that a lot, because I respect IYO so much. She’s amazing. She’s really so professional. I really enjoyed that match. It was an amazing match. I always say, I’m not just the Women’s World Champion, I won with IYO SKY, the best, one of the best in the world. So it’s like, for me, it’s really special. I respect IYO SKY so much. I remember after that show, many people say, Yeah, you really make that show amazing, because that match the more important match that day. I remember Randy Orton saying you made Wrestlepalooza, because that was the best match.”

Why do you feel like you have so much great chemistry with IYO SKY?

“I don’t know. I think maybe because I trained in Japan. So I know the Japanese style and language. Not perfect, but we can have good communication, and we can understand that the style. We have many, many things in the same style. So I think for that reason, we can have really good chemistry in the ring.”

The promos you’ve been cutting in Spanish are great, and even if someone doesn’t understand what you’re saying, they understand the passion that you’re speaking with. I think that’s the great thing about it. Even if the audience doesn’t speak Spanish, they’re like, oh, I can tell she’s getting angry, or she’s getting emotional, or whatever the case may be. Is it easier for you to cut a promo in Spanish?

Yeah, because, I mean, many people on social media sometimes say she cut a promo in Spanish because she can’t in English. No, I can do it, but if WWE want it in Spanish, for me, it’s better because I’m Latina. I love my language, and I love when people can understand that, and I love people can know about me, about my language, and I feel different. I mean, when I speak in Spanish, I can feel different, because if I speak another language I need to think about the translation to say it. It’s not the same when I say in Spanish, just say in Spanish. I really enjoy the promo in Spanish, and I can do in English too. But I love that mix between Spanish and English promo.”

You made Liv Morgan cry with one of your promos in Spanish, yeah?

“But you know what? I think maybe, I don’t know why, but I think maybe crocodile tears, fake. Maybe because she’s a really good actress. So I don’t know if Liv is sometimes fake crying.”

When Liv Morgan won the Royal Rumble, she had the ability to go after your championship or after Jade Cargill’s championship. How did you feel when she chose you and your Women’s World Championship?

“Really happy. I love that. I am sure we can have a good match in WrestleMania, and I really hope Liv work hard, because we have a big responsibility in WrestleMania. I’m happy. I’m really happy with this history, with this match.”

How do you feel about your new entrance theme?

“I like it. I love my old song. But, you know, many issues, so we need a new song. I just hope people can understand that.”

How do you feel when people say that you’re the best wrestler on the planet right now?

“I don’t want to believe that. Because I tell you this, if I think I’m the best, I’m still learning, and I don’t want that. Humble, I think that’s important always. Yeah, I feel like I always try to be better than before, just me, against me or with me. But, yeah, I don’t want to stop. I don’t want to think about that.”

Your new finisher is a little bit like AJ Styles’ spiral tap? 

“One time he said to me, oh, it’s like my move. I’m like, Oops. And he say, No, you look better. And I say, No, I can’t believe you say that. I love him.”

You had quite the moment with Rhea Ripley. You guys did the double Devil’s kiss, timed out perfectly, too.

“That was so funny. She’s so nice. She asked me first, I have an idea. I’m like, yeah. She said, “It’s okay for you? She asked me. I say, of course, I mean, it’s an honor. And she said, can you show me how? And I say, Yeah, sure. She does it perfectly.” 

The move itself is great, but how much do you think Booker T really helped to get that move over?

“You know what? Before WWE, I did that move for a long time. But when I did that move before WWE, was little different than now. When I sign with WWE, I think, Okay, I want to stop doing that move for many reasons. I think sometimes people take that move different ways, and I don’t like that. In NXT one day, and we were training, and I showed that move, and the coach is saying, No, that’s good, people know that move and people like that move. I’m thinking yeah, but I don’t know why I don’t like it anymore. I don’t want to do that move because I hate what people say, it’s just because that move and like no people can sometimes understand that move, and I’m gonna start to do it again. I feel good because Booker T make that move so people love this move, so I’m starting to love this move again, because Booker T make me feel like that.” 

In 2025 you won the Slammy Award for breakout star of the year. What did being called the breakout star mean for you?

“It’s great because many, many different things happened at that time. I never believed that can happen. So in that moment they say, and I didn’t know in that moment. Wait what? People say that? And they say yes, and I’m so excited, because when I came to WWE, I worked really hard. Istill work really hard every day. So that kind of thing made me feel like, okay, people can see how hard I work here.”

Do you remember getting that call that you were going to the main roster? 

“I remember because when I was in NXT, I love NXT. I felt at home. I remember many people say, okay, many people are waiting for you on Raw, on main roster, but at the same time Shawn Michaels is like, we need you here, and we want you here. At the same time, I want to stay here, but I want to go for main roster. In that moment, I didn’t feel very good, because I’m still learning, and my English was not good. Now it’s better, not perfect, but better. Sometimes I feel like, no, I need more time. But at the same time no, I talked to myself and okay, I need to be brave and just do it. So I feel good, because people on Raw and main roster made me feel so good. Made me feel at home too. Many different challenges and big challenges.”

What is Stephanie Vaquer grateful for?

“The support for all my people, health and I don’t have injuries.”

Quotes have been edited for clarity.

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