Major WWE Star Explains Why They Initally Turned Down Main Roster Spot

A major WWE initially wanted to skip NXT.

Off the back of losing to Mercedes Mone at Forbidden Door 2024, CMLL announced that Stephanie Vaquer would be leaving the company. Just hours later, it was announced that the star had signed with WWE.

The move caught many by surprise, as it was felt that if Vaquer was to be making a quick exit from CMLL, it was expected to be for AEW, given her appearances for the promotion. But that doesn’t mean that the promotion didn’t make an attempt to sign her.

Back in December, Stephanie Vaquer confirmed she’d received a “very juicy” financial offer from AEW, but it had always been her dream to wrestle in WWE.

Stephanie Vaquer Reflects On Signing With WWE

Although she was made to wait for her TV debut with NXT, Vaquer quickly made an impact, and by mid-March 2025, she’d already competed in the Royal Rumble and won the Women’s North American Title and the NXT Women’s Championship.

During a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Vaquer was asked about winning the North American Championship, and she explained that she’d initially wanted to miss NXT altogether. However, she later changed her mind and felt that starting with WWE away from the main roster would help her in the long run.

“It’s a really nice experience. Because when WWE called me, they asked me if I want to go main roster or NXT. And I say, main roster. But after I think a lot I say, okay, maybe I know I need to learn how everything works here.

So after I say no, I go to NXT, and many people say, What are you doing? You’re crazy. And I say no, because I’m in no rush. I like to do things step by step, no rush, and I need to learn English. I need to learn the style. I need to learn that WWE style, how they train in the PC, different training.

So I started NXT slow, take my time and try to learn every day. But I really enjoy NXT because it’s like family. I really miss the people there and I had the NXT Title and the NXT North American Title at the same time, in the best women’s division.

So now I’m so happy. I’m so happy. Make history is my first title in WWE, yeah, so it’s the beginning of the big dream.”

In April, the star moved to the main roster, and she’s since become one of the top stars on Raw.

At Wrestlepalooza, Stephanie Vaquer will meet Iyo Sky, as she looks to win the vacant Women’s World Championship. The title was decalred vacant after Naomi announced that she was expecting her first child.

All quotes come courtesy of chrisvanvliet.com