NXT Free Agency: WWE, Shawn Michaels welcome Stephanie Vaquer, signed away from AEW, CMLL, NJPW

Patrik Walker

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NXT Free Agency: WWE, Shawn Michaels welcome Stephanie Vaquer, signed away from AEW, CMLL, NJPW image

The competition for high-level talent, be it an up-and-comer or of the veteran variety, is the highest it’s been since the infamous Monday Night Wars between WWF and WCW. As of late, the WWE has parted ways with talent that have either found their way to AEW or reportedly will soon (e.g., Ricochet), but landing Stephanie Vaquer is a huge get for big brother.

After rumors swirled on Wednesday regarding the possible signing of Vaquer to WWE, it was confirmed by none other than Shawn Michaels himself — welcoming her to the Black and Gold brand.

Vaquer was reportedly in deep talks with AEW as well as WWE, likely even more so after her outstanding showing against Mercedes Moné (a former WWE superstar who spent time in NJPW before joining AEW) at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, despite dropping the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship to Moné.

WATCH: NEW WWE PODCAST TALKS RHEA, MITB.

And, now, we seemingly have an idea as to why she did, as well as why it was announced, on Wednesday morning, that Vaquer had been removed from the CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) and NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling) rosters and, as such, forced to vacate her other belts — namely the CMLL Women’s Tag Team Championship and the CMLL Women’s Championship.

She was also written out of FantasticaMania.

Vaquer then took to social media to say her goodbyes to CMLL and NJPW, and you can see the English translation directly below the post here, via Fightful.

“At this moment, I stop belonging to the ranks of CMLL and NJPW. [To] clarify, I AM LEAVING THROUGH THE BIG DOOR, forever grateful to the WORLD WRESTLING COUNCIL AND NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING, and on the best terms.

“From today, I vacate the CMLL World Women's Championship as well as the CMLL World Women's Couples Championship. For which I offer an apology to the fans. For obvious reasons, I will not be present at the next shows and I hope you can understand that the terms between companies are what lead to this statement.

“With Mexico in my heart and with the commitment to represent Mexican wrestling wherever I go. Infinite thanks to SR Salvador Lutteroth for his good wishes and also to all the unconditional support of my people and my colleagues.

“THANK YOU.”

The 31-year-old native of Chile joins an NXT women’s division that is stacked to inhuman levels with talent, adding to a pipeline of future superstars for either/both WWE RAW and/or SmackDown down the line. 

One thing is for certain here, and that’s the fact Shawn Michaels (and Triple H) are never complacent with their current roster(s), no matter how wonderfully they’re performing.

Vaquer will immediately raise a bar that is already in the stratosphere.

Patrik Walker

Patrik Walker Photo

Patrik [No C] Walker is an accredited, award-winning journalist and podcaster who has worked to become one of the most respected and recognizable forces covering the Dallas Cowboys. Having never lost his lifelong passion for the wrestling, the one-of-a-kind analyst is using his talents to complete a journey that began as a rambunctious kid wearing a championship belt fashioned from cardboard and aluminum foil, to the ranks of covering an industry that's had his heart pinned to the mat for decades now. Follow him on Twitter/X: VoiceOfTheStar.