WWE Told Popular Champion They Couldn’t Afford Them

WWE’s women’s division nearly looked very different.

At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 30, 2024, Stephanie Vaquer lost the NJPW Strong Women’s Title to Mercedes Mone. However, while she might have lost in the short term, her career was just about to take an important twist.

Less than two weeks after the event it was announced by Shawn Michaels that Vaquer had signed with WWE, becoming the first Chilean to do so in the process. The star featured at two live events in Mexico in July, before finally making her televised in-ring debut in October.

Vaquer quickly went on to win the Women’s North American Championship and the NXT Women’s Championship.

WWE Was The Dream For Stephanie Vaquer

Back in March, Stephanie Vaquer revealed she turned down a main roster spot in favour of starting in NXT. The star said she actually wanted to start on Raw or SmackDown when first asked, but later changed her mind.

During a new interview with Kevin Felgueras of Rock & Pop FM, Vaquer opened up about how her WWE deal came together and just how close she came to signing with AEW. The former CMLL star revealed that WWE told her they were unable to compete financially with AEW’s offer, but she still decided to join the company after speaking with Shawn Michaels.

What happened is that I was involved in a very important match. After that match, WWE called me on the phone and said, “Are you interested in working with us?” and I said, “Of course I am, what do you propose?”. They asked me afterwards, “Would you like to go to the Main Roster or NXT?” and I said Main Roster first…

I was so excited that WWE reached out to me. Someone from the office talked to me, and that was the negotiation. I remember I went back and talked to my company, CMLL, and told them that they called me and offered me to work with them, and my boss thought I was talking about AEW because I said they would talk to me.

We just stared at each other and I asked “wait, did AEW talk to you?” and he said, “yes, they talked to me yesterday because they wanted to do business with you.”

The contract with CMLL had already expired and with NJPW we had a special contract with them, so then I contacted WWE and they took me to Toronto where we were going to talk about the contract and we were going to negotiate..

I went to my boss and asked if I could go to Toronto, and he permitted me. When I was already in Toronto at the hotel, people from AEW talked to me and said, “We know you are in Toronto, don’t sign,” and then I said, “Now hold on, what are y’all offering?” (Giggles).

I swear, there was a moment when I didn’t know what to do, so I talked to my dad, who is the one who solves things for me when I don’t know what to do and helps me make the best decisions…

WWE was my dream, but I’m a responsible adult, and I was thinking that I have too much on my plate to let myself get carried away with a childhood dream, and I gave it a lot of thought. I talked to AEW, and they offered to pay for the hotel stay in Toronto so I could be with them. I talked to WWE, and they said whatever I decided in the negotiation.

I paid for my hotel and flight, so I didn’t favor anyone, especially since there was an NXT show that same day. WWE’s idea was for me to appear in the front row, and I told them that I felt it wasn’t right, I was still with the company (CMLL), and also, out of respect and gratitude, I didn’t feel it was the right thing to do. WWE completely understood, and then I talked to my dad.

He told me to follow my heart, and I remember talking to WWE afterwards. I told them what AEW was offering me, and they said “we can’t afford that. Thank you very much and good luck at AEW,” and at that point I cried, and even my dad asked, “Why are you crying after being offered all that cash?” (Giggles).

I said I was going to calm down, and then Shawn Michaels called me. He said, “Stephanie, I know you understand English, and I want to talk to you personally. I’m Shawn Michaels, and I have this proposal.” When I talked to him, he asked me if this was about the money. I told him it wasn’t the money; this is my life, and I sacrificed my whole life for wrestling, and no money will pay for that.

Shawn Michaels understood that and told me some words I will keep for the rest of my life because they are words from a wise person who made me make the best decision. I was on my way to Mexico and they contacted me from WWE to tell me what they were offering, and then they asked me, “What do you say?” And I answered, “Let’s do it,” and that’s how it went.”

Meanwhile, it’s been announced that Stephanie Vaquer is set to defend her NXT Women’s Title against Giulia, Jordynne Grace, and Jaida Parker at Stand & Deliver. Vaquer was also recently forced to give up the Women’s North American Title.

H/t to Fightful