Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Stephanie Vaquer: La Primera, Devil's Kiss, First Year In WWE, Women's World Championship

Episode Date: September 16, 2025

Grab a CVV Micro Brawler! - https://cvvmerch.comStephanie Vaquer (@Steph_Vaquer) is a professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. She sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Las Vegas, NV to discuss her incredible first year in WWE, winning the NXT Women's and Women's North American Championships to become a double champion, her quick call up to the main roster, Booker T's reaction to her Devil's Kiss move, the meaning behind her horns and face paint, her Clash in Paris title match being canceled, facing IYO SKY for the WWE Women's World Championship, future dream matches, and more!Quote I'm thinking about: “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” —Paulo CoelhoPlease support our sponsors!   PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/?ref=tibcloux   SUPERPOWER: Go to https://Superpower.com and use code CVV to get $50 Off your annual Superpower subscription. Live up to your 100-Year potential. #superpowerpod   SEAT GEEK: Use my code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV2025 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount PRIZEPICKS: Download the app today and use code INSIGHT to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup!  TIMELINE: Go to https://timeline.com/insightto get 20% off your order of Mitopure!   VUORI: Get 20% off your first purchase! Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at https://vuori.com/cvv   ROCKET MONEY: Join Rocket Money today and reach your financial goals faster: https://rocketmoney.com/cvv MIRACLE MADE: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/CVV and use the code CVV to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF   ZOCDOC: Instantly book a top-rated doctor today at https://zocdoc.com/insightFAST GROWING TREES: Get 15% off with code INSIGHT at https://fastgrowingtrees.com   BONCHARGE: Use the code CVV to save 15% off your infrared sauna blanket at https://boncharge.com/cvv   BLUECHEW: Get your first month of BlueChew for free with the code CVV at https://bluechew.com   For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.com If you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests.    Follow CVV on social media:  Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And welcome back to another one here on Insight. I'm CVV. Frist Fanfleet, hope you're doing great. Thank you for hitting play on this episode. And thank you, as always, for helping to make Insight the number one wrestling podcast on the planet. Hit the devil's kiss on that follow button so you don't miss out on any new interviews every Tuesday and Thursday. And Ask CVV every single Friday. We've got Stephanie Vakare on the show.

the very first time. And what a year she's had. Actually, it hasn't even been a year. Her first match in NXT was October 15th last year. So 11 months. What an 11 month stretch she's had. She was the women's North American champion and the NXT women's champion at the same time. She made history with that. And it sure feels like she's going to be the next women's world champion after resapluza this Saturday. I mean, she has all of this momentum as she takes on EOS-Sky for that vacant championship. If you're listening to this after September 20th, you'll already know if my prediction is correct or not,

but I just feel it. I feel like she's going to be the next women's world champion. We dive into her backstory, growing up in Chile and falling in love with pro wrestling. She moved to Mexico and Japan to really work on her craft. And she had a WWE tryout in 2018, and she admits that she wasn't ready at that time. But clearly she was ready when that opportunity

came around again for her in 2024. And I love this. She says that wrestling is her first language. So good. Snap a screenshot. Let us know that you're listening to this episode and tag us. She's at Stephanie got Vakere on Instagram. She's at Steph underscore Vakere on X.

I met Chris Van Vleet and here we go. Please welcome Stephanie Vakir. These are some big shoes. Yeah. Those are so very. Look at the heels on them. It's like, but it's good. It gives you a few inches.

Yeah. Yeah, because I'm short. Not that short. Yeah, and TV, but in person, I'm sure. And TV. If I'm next to Rhea, I look more short. Yeah. I'm so excited to have you on the show.

Thank you. What a year you've had. I'm excited to be here. When WWE say about the interview, I'm like, nice, I went to stay there. Thank you. Since you debuted, I just feel like you've been on fire. How has this last year been for you? It's crazy, really crazy last year.

Many people can say is quick for many things for me. But before to WWE, I have 11 years in my career. So for me, it's a long time work really hard. And for that reason now, I think everybody now, every sacrifice before and now I can see the rewards now because it's really crazy year. I feel like everything in life happens for a reason and it happens when it's supposed to happen. You had a try out with WWE in 2018. Why don't you feel like you were ready then? because I'm not ready.

That's seven years ago, I think, in 2018. Yeah. Yeah. And that moment I really knew and I'm starting pro wrestling. I don't feel good and no good time in my life, personal life. And I'm not ready. I know good condition and I'm not ready in that moment. But when WDW you call me for that trial, I would say, yeah, I need to go and really learn about the WDB trial is my dream.

But in that moment, I feel like, okay, I'm brave. So I say, okay, let's do it. But I know I'm not ready. But, yeah, you're right. The thing happened for one reason. The important thing, because there I say, I'm not ready, but I really know. one day I go to WWE. So after the tryout,

I travel for all the planet, learn more and different company, different style. I learn with the best coaches. So for me, after the trial, I don't feel like, okay, this is over.

For me, after the trial, I say, okay, I know, now I know what I need to do and one day I go to WWW. So seven years after I'm here. Not everybody gets a second chance, though. How did you know that at that point in time, even if you weren't ready,

how did you know there might be another opportunity down the line? I really don't know. It's like when you really, when you really love something, or you really feel passion for something, and you really were hard, something good come. So I don't know why, but all my life

one day I go to WDWE. I'm really sure about that. I don't know how, I don't know why. And when my last birthday, I say, it's like maybe I'm old for WWE, but I don't know why I know one day I go to WDB and my dream.

So I just try to work her and really enjoy my wrestling because it's my life. I love how much passion you have. And you can see it when you're in the ring. You just, passion just oozes out of you. Where does that passion come from? I don't know. It's like, I'm always say pro wrestling for me,

I know that work in English. Wrestling for me is love at the first side. Yes. Yeah, because when I was, I don't know, maybe 15, I watched WW&TV. And I was in Chile, Chile, no professional wrestling to exist. So when I watched WWN TV, say, I don't know why, I love this, and my passion. And I never have a plan B for me when I decide, like, I will be pro wrestler. like no plan viz.

Like, I will be this. No more. No other shans. Like, ah, maybe it's no work. No, for me, like, I did this for forever. What was your job before wrestling? Oh, a lot job. I don't know.

What you say in English? Mecera. Server. Mecera and I worked arraiglando zapato, fits shoes. Fixing shoes. Yeah, many things, many crazy things because money, I need money for training and trouble.

Yeah. And learn. So many weird. So they were just to earn money so you could continue to train. Yeah. And that was it. Yeah. Your English is very good, by the way.

Thank you. Have you been working on it a lot over the last year? Oh, yeah. Now I'm, I have here 10 months and here. So I think I know my English is not perfect yet. I try. But I think for 10 months, it's good. It's very good.

And I really try to live every day. So 10 months ago, you barely spoke any English? A little bit because I understand a lot, but I can speak like fast or sometimes. I need to take my time for translation and say. So it's hard. It's hard. But actually, every time when WWI say, you have interview, I'm always as like Spanish or English. Because to be honest, for me, it's hard, English.

Yeah. But I love because it's, yeah, let's do it. Let's do it. I try to be brave and say, yeah, let's do it because I know, and my English know perfect. It's very good. If I try every day, I need to learn more. So I like. So are you taking classes every day?

Yeah, every week. But for me, I learn every day because I try to practice every day. Is it difficult to cut promos in English? Yeah, it's hard. Yeah, it's hard because for me, I need to think in Spanish. I think in Spanish. And then you translated? Translated, yeah.

And I don't want to the people think, I don't want people say, why she speaks so slow? Because I try to translation everything. And sometimes not same. In Spanish, maybe makes sense. But in English, I'm like, what? So it's hard. It's difficult.

But I hope one day, I need, I just need more time and learn more. I think you're doing great. Thank you so much. When you're given a promo, like, does it take you a while to break it down and figure out, like, all right, how am I going to deliver this? Yeah. Yeah, but it's really nice because everybody always helped me a lot. Everybody, everyone always helped me a lot with that. But sometimes I feel like, oh, I know I can do that in Spanish, really well.

And now in English, I'm like, oh, I can't. But it's good. And I love challenge. I love the new thing and learn new things. So for me, sometimes like, oh, I want to say this in Spanish. But it's really nice. Learn new things for me. Exciting.

I thought it was so cool when you cut a promo with EOSCI. And English isn't your first language for either of you. But the promo was so effective because you could tell how passionate both of you guys were. And it's like the message got across. A lot of it with just like facial expressions and just the way that you were interacting with each other. What was that moment like for you, the raw after WrestleMania? That is a great experience. I, first, EO is amazing.

It's really amazing. I live in Japan for a long time. So I know she understands me because it's all. the language for EO too. So it's her and she's, she's amazing. So for me, my dream, my dream is WWE title, WWE. But EO is like, okay, this is better

that I can't my dream because it's EO. She's amazing. That's one of the best. So a big match, we, I think we can do something really good because I learn in Japan. So we have a similar style. Like the Japanese style? And yes. So I, and for me, my favorite is Japanese style. So, and I speak Japanese. How's your Japanese? I think my Japanese is better than my English. Yeah. Yeah. So because I live in

Japan for a long time. I go to Japan, between Japan and Mexico. Can you say something in Japanese for us? Yeah, of course. Hashima must say what if she was, Stephanie back at this. Yeah, my Japanese. I don't know why. You want to do the rest of the interview in Japanese? It's so funny because many people say, you speak Japanese by no English, yeah, I don't know. So is it three languages you speak? Yes. Or are there any others that we don't know about? I know. Just, I barely speak. I barely speak one. So you've got three. It's amazing. Thank you. This episode is brought to you by Timeline.

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safety information. When you're looking at your career and you're 10 years into it and you hadn't had your shot in WW yet at that point, are you still believing it's going to happen? Sometimes I can, I can explain that because I feel in a dream, but a good way. But sometimes like, okay, now I'm in WWE. But my career before WWE is a long career too

So now I think Maybe the The best thing happened Is and try out Seven years ago Knowing WWE Because for that reason I go for all over the planet

And learn a lot And now in WWI But sometimes I'm still like This is real Yeah, it's real I'm here And the next weekend I go for the title.

So it's like, yeah. Sometimes I need to talk with myself and say, yeah, you're here. Yeah. Yeah. When you first started watching WWE all those years ago, do you remember who you were watching at that time? Yeah. Trish. Trish, that will, and evolution, we talk about that and say, Trish, I grew up and you

have a big, you're a big, you're experiencing a lot because you start this. You're amazing. And now I know a Christian person and it's like, wow, she's amazing. And yeah, when I was 15, I told me with my dad and my dad. And I say, one day I will be a WWE champion. And my dad, yes, yes. You're so short, skinny. No, like, good.

And now my dad is my big fan. And he's like, amazing. Yes, it. And now it feels like next weekend, there's a good chance you're going to live that dream. And September 21 is his birthday. And he never seen me before much in life. And he's going to be at Russell Paloosa? Yes.

Oh, wow. And that's on September 20th. Well, what a birthday present that would be if you can win that championship. Yes. Oh, my gosh. Didn't you have a story with Ray Mysterio when you were younger? Yes. Yeah, funny story. When I was, I think, 12, I don't remember, maybe 12. WWE in Chile for the first time, really first time in Chile. And I talked with my sister and I said, I really want to go.

My sister, we don't have money. So I talk with my parents and say, no, we don't have money. we need to buy the ticket and go to the capital because I'm a small town. So I started to sell hard duck in my, what is it, neighborhood? Yeah, neighborhood, yeah. And when I take all the money and save the money for that ticket, sold out, I cry, like for three days, I cry a lot and say, no, I really want to go and say, see Rain Mysterio. I'm a big fan. And I remember three days after WW and TV say, okay, we have a new day, but one day before that show. So I buy the ticket and I go and I see Rain Mysterio, but the more

cheaper tickets. Sitting in the nose blades. Way up top. Yeah. And now I talk with Raymy Stereo and I say, yeah, when I was 12, and now I can talk with Ray Mysterio, my history. Like, yeah, I'm a big fan because he is amazing. So it's like. He's the best. Yeah. And he, he made, make me believe you can, you can take your dream and really do it.

Is it because he was a smaller wrestler? Yeah. that reason because I'm woman many people say you think a woman in a tough sport and like

skinny short and I born in a country with no professional wrestling so like everybody's like I'm impossible and no

if Raymy Studio can have a match with big show like a big guys and win why I can do that. I love that. When was the first time you met Ray? The first time in Mexico a long time ago. Yeah, in Mexico a long time ago.

And he's a nice person. He's a really nice person. He's the nicest person. Yeah. Yeah, everybody loved Bay Mysterio. So the first time I talk, we talk about the history and say, yeah, I sell a hug dog. and then watch your match in Chile. Do you think they could ever have a WWPL in Chile?

Oh, I really, I really hope soon. Because I never have, I've been never had a professional match in Chile. So if I go Chile, my first match professional match with WWV at my home, that was amazing. I hope soon. I wish. If someone wants to see some of your best work before WWE, what are some matches that they should look up? Again, sorry. If someone wants to see some of your best matches before WWE,

best matches. Who are those opponents? Wow. Sorry, because before WWE, I'm always say, I need to say this. I always say pro wrestling in WWE because it's a big different in good way, but it's so different golf outside WWP pro wrestling. So I have many big companies before WWW.

So I have the, in Japan, I wrestle with everyone, Japanese, and Mexico with the Mexican and the UK. So I have a lot good opponent in my career. And I think maybe Julia, Julia, we have history before in WW. So I'm so happy when Julia come here with me because we have a long history. In Japan, we have really good matches in Japan for the title. So in Mexico, with Fabi Apache have really good matches. And, yeah, it's a lot. There's a lot of history before WW2.

How long have you lived in the U.S. now? Now, one year. A year? Yeah. How's it been for you? Really good. Really good. I feel good.

Everybody helped me. Everybody's so nice with me. And it's so hard. Change all your life. But I did before. So I know. I know change everything. food and family language, culture.

It's hard. It's very hot in Florida. Yeah, hot. But good, because the PC is there. NXT people, like my family, because everyone helped me a lad. So I feel really good. I love live here.

What did that first championship in NXT mean for you? Well, it's a... really nice experience because I come to NXT. When WWU call me, they asked me if I want to go May roster or NXT. And I say May roster. But after I think a lot and I say, okay, maybe I know I need to learn how everything work here. So after I say no, I go to NXT.

And many people say, what are you doing? You're crazy and say, no, because I'm no rush. I like to do good things, like step by step, no rush. And I need to learn English. I need to learn the style. I need to learn that WWE work, the WW style, how they're training in PC, different training. So I just started in NXT like slow, like.

I'm going to take my time and try to learn every day. But anyway, like fast, because it's like six months and I go to Ro. 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. Double champ. Same time. Awesome.

Champ champ. Yeah, I feel like, wow. First ever. Yeah. And the best women's division. Yeah. So like, no, I'm so happy. I'm so happy.

I'm so happy. Make history is my first title in WWE. Yeah. So it's the beginning for the beginning for a big frame. Did you think it would happen that quickly? No. No. I think because before WWI always take, for me, take a long time, take a title.

But I feel, I know, take more hard work. But before WWE, every company, I take the more important title before WW. So when I come to WWI, say, okay, the beginning, I'm here. But now I will be champion. So the first step is the NXT championship. And after both, I look, good. Yeah, double champ. There's a video of you making your very first entrance when you made your

WWE debut. And there's a certain look on your face. And you look very, like, happy. It's almost like I've arrived. But what's going through your mind in that moment? And that moment is like a dream. Like a walk and I say, really? I'm here.

Really? But for me, the more important thing in that moment or before, I never. thing about the pop, the people, the crown. Because the United States Soccer Federation present the U.S. Soccer Podcast. My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Clemenberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup. Time's ticking.

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It's like, okay, I know people he don't know me and they need to know about me. But when I go there, people like, wow, and I say, oh no, wait, people know me. And that for me is like, really, I don't know. How do you, when, how do you say in English, when something, when something, when something But it's a surprise. Yeah. Surprised. Surprised.

But great. People like, wow, and say, okay, people know about me. And that's like, wow. I feel so good with that. Can you explain the horns? What do they represent? The horns. I'm Arias.

You know, the horoscope? Yeah. Oroscope. So I'm Ariest. And the idea is start for that reason. I say, okay, like, for a show, say, okay, something different, my horns, and people love the horns. So I say, okay, I keep this forever.

And actually, I really, I hard-headed. The truth is, I hard-headed. Stubbered. Yes. So it's true. Horns and hard. What about the makeup on your first? face. The makeup is long story too. When I'm a star in pro wrestling my second match, I broke my face

here and my nose. Yeah, really bad. What happened? Knees and my face. So my nose they're here and broke. Like your orbital bone? Yes. Oh my gosh. And three. Oh, yes. Okay. So I take like one year and rest. Hard time for me because in that time I live in Mexico. I know have family there. I know how have money.

I can work. So really. How did you get by? How did you survive? I, come on this is messera? Sorry. Oh. Yeah.

And a restaurant. And I talk with a bar. and say, can I sleep in the kitchen? And he said, yes. You slept in the kitchen? Yes. Yeah. For almost six months.

Oh, my gosh. Yes. And recovery, I'm waiting for my bone finally. To heal. And I started training again. So really hard time in my life. I think the more hard time in my life. And after my dream is go to.

to Japan. So I went to Japan and in Japan I learned about the kinsui. Kinsui in Japan is, you know when you like broke a plate and they poured together and again with gold like silver. Yes. And for Japanese people that means like more higher, more strong. It's more special because you broke and you make again. So when I I learn about that history, the Kitsui, I say, okay, I make my makeup and I remember like literally I broke my face. And then like, yeah, it's something like Japan culture. I try to add something for Japan because I learn many things in Japan. I really love Japan. That's such a great story. I feel like people have a lot of trouble saying your last name. Yeah, back here. Right. It doesn't sound that difficult.

But Nikki Bello is struggling in such a hard way. Not just Nikki, many people say, maybe it's difficult because sometimes say Bakker or Baker or, but it's Bakker, maybe for the I've heard. Bacquer. Well, you roll the R at the end, right? Yeah. Ferro Carrel. Whoa. Yeah. I'm speaking Spanish. Right. So you roll the R at the end,

Vecere with it. Like, and you roll the R. Right. You roll the R. And everybody in the U.S. is like, the care.

You know, like, and you're like, that sounds good enough, right? Yeah, it's too good. But like, has this been a thing your entire career? Because this is your actual name, too.

Yeah, it's my real name. Because the truth is, I really, when, when I started training, I talk with my, my coach and say,

I think a lot about my character and my... Hey, like, no, stop. You're a wrestler. You're a real fighter. Don't think about your character because here is real wrestling. So you first, real wrestler. And then think about the character, wherever you want. And I say, okay, never think about my character.

Never. That's happening. Yeah, people say, well, ah, you think about. No, everything just happened. I never think about my character. So for that reason, it's my real name, because I never have, I think about names or like, the horns is like because I try to pour something nice and Arias, maybe,

La Prima, because La Prima, because La Prima means the first one, and I, the first South American and many things in, in the world, so for that reason, La Primera. But if you ask me about that, if I think my character, that's happened. So you don't think you have a character? Yeah, I have, but I never think before about that. I never... Just kind of happened?

Yeah, that's... Just me. I mean, that's a pretty badass character then. If this is who you really are. Yeah. But when you're not wrestling, what do you like to do for fun? Oh, I don't have a lot of time. Like, I know.

But I'm a, like, relaxed person. I don't like the, like, TV or maybe music and relax. I like, I play piano. Yeah, I'm not good. No, yeah. I'm lit. But, yeah, like, relaxing. All right.

So what kind of music are you listening to? Because when I saw you on the Seamus Celtic Warrior workout, You were talking about listening to metal. Yes. That doesn't sound that relaxing. I'm weird because I like everything kind of music. Depend. Depend the day.

But yeah, maybe play piano with blues. Yes, it's better. Okay. But I love music. Yeah. Depends the day. And you've got a great entrance theme. Like speaking of loving music, like from the second that hits,

it's like, She means business. I love my music, yeah. Do you remember hearing it for the first time? Yes. And I remember when I go to Role, they say, change my music, and I say, please. I talk with Sean Michaels and say, Sean, please, I love my music. I don't want to change.

And he's like, okay, let me see what we can do. And, yeah, I think people love the music, too. They do. Mm-hmm. How did you come up with the name The Devil's Kiss? I don't think about that because I have no idea. I say, okay, the move, but the name, Matt Bloom, Matt Bloom. Hey, one time I trained in the PC and I am the ring and I say, I don't know.

I can, I think a lot, but I can't have a name. So I talk with Matt Bloom and say, okay, I don't know a lot about English. and I know I want to stay more close to American people. So how I can name for this more but in English. Because if I think in Spanish in translation, sometimes it's not means same, no makes sense. So I talk with Matlund and he said, yeah, double kiss. Yeah, good in English?

And he's like, yeah, really good. And everybody like really good and say, okay, that's his name. I think it's Booker T's favorite move. Yes. I love to Bookerty. I miss Booker T and Roe, yes. I feel like they need to have him on Rod just for your matches. Yeah, that's amazing.

Yeah, because he really made people, like, feel my move. And I love that. I love it. I love how it got to a point where you were, like, pointing at him, and then you would do the move. Yeah. In my last title match in NXT, I saw. Booker like, this is for you. That's it for you.

Yeah. How did you come up with it in the first place? How did you create the move? Mistake. I'm training. I try to do a pin. I try to do something with my coach. And I say, if I do this, this.

And I don't remember well, but the position changed. And I say, this is nice. It's like you can take the, like, DDT, many did it, you know, like, and no on the neck is like her. And I say, okay, I like this. And I remember the first time I did in Mexico, and many people say, that's look weird. It's like, no, good. And I say, no, I like.

And many people say, don't do that, look weird. I said, no, I like. And I keep for lunch. And now, look, that's a big move. It's a big move. Yeah. People love it. Yeah, me too.

When you did it at Money in the Bank to Ria Ripley, on the ladder, that was like a whole other level. Amazing. And that moment, I think, oh, my knees and that, yeah, it's different in the ladder. But I say, no, let's go. It's mommy. It's mommy. It's mommy. Yeah, let's go.

You were up there. Like, you were pretty high. Yes. What's been your favorite match? in WWE so far? My favorite match again? What's been your favorite match in WWE so far?

I don't know. I don't have one, really. Or your favorite opponent? It's hard to say favorite opponent. I don't have one. I don't know. I don't know.

Because everybody's different. Every match, every show is different. But I don't know. Maybe, maybe. I can't find the answer next week because Ioska is amazing and I know that we'll be a really good match. Who haven't you worked with one-on-one yet? One-on-one, Aska. And I won.

Oh, my gosh. I really won because no one-on-one. And, yeah, Aska or of Korea, Mommy. Mommy versus Mamma Cicita. Yeah, that cool. I will be cool. Is the goal for you now that you're on the main roster is the goal having a match at WrestleMania? Wow.

It's a big dream in WrestleMania. But I don't want, I can explain that. Sometimes I have a dream and that happened better than I can dream. So now with like WrestleMania or something like that Sometimes I say okay I work hard And happen wherever it needs to happen You know

I don't know why I can't play that It's like sometimes it's better than my dream The real So now it's like sometimes it's like Okay I won But I won this just happen How it says How it's like

Yeah It's out I love that. You had a quote that I love that you said, wrestling is my first language. Yes. Yeah, because I think people need to understand it's so hard when you speak other language.

It's not your language. It's so hard. And sometimes I know my English is not perfect. So sometimes I say something wrong and sometimes people can be really mean. in social media with that. I don't care. I do everywhere.

Anywhere I do because I need to learn. If I don't do, I can learn. But yeah, people can see that. People really can see that wrestling

is my first language because in the ring don't care if you speak English, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, it's wrestling. And wrestling,

and wrestling, you feel your life. You don't. need to speak language is wrestling. You have such an amazing connection with the audience. What do you think it is? Why do you think it is that the audience connects with you so much? I don't know. Maybe I know, maybe many people don't know about my career before in WWW. But I think people really can see every time when I go to ring, people can see it is my life. wrestling is my passion is my everything i i'm every time i put my my soul in that ring so maybe

people really can see that for that reason support me a lot and i'm so happy with that really really i'm so happy because people really support me so i'm i have one year here yeah 10 months and people's like really support me like thank you because it's a lot of sacrifice and really wrestling is my first language and my life and my passion is everything so people can see that when you say that you didn't have a plan B like it was wrestling or nothing did you ever have a point where you felt like it wasn't going to work out wow uh yes when i live in in Mexico and you were sleeping in a kitchen yeah yeah many time i'm almost really almost call my dad and say okay eye quick. But no, I know, I didn't. What made you keep going? Because I'm, I don't know,

I'm kidding. Maybe for that reason. I don't know, maybe. Did you just know in your heart it was going to happen? Yeah, because I don't know why. I don't know how I always say, yeah, I will be pro-Rustler. So if I give up, like, no, there's no. There's no. There's no continue. There's no plan B. So, yeah, and my family support is really important for me. And in the time, a lot of sacrifices, like, okay, if I quit now, I, all the sacrifice before is like,

not work. And saying, no. So hard. I almost, yeah, almost call my dad and say, I quit, but, but no. I quit. But, no. never give up. If we were to find you backstage five minutes before a match, what would you be doing? I try to take a moment like this, like a moment when nobody, like myself. I try because sometimes it's brush, you need to run, you need to fit the gear or something,

but I'm always trying to focus. It's like, I know for that reason I love pro wrestling, and I know as many things like uni look good and character and people feel. But I'm always straight to focus and like, I'm pro wrestler. I have a real fighter and I can go for that and I'm focusing my match. Who is next? Boom, that person. So I try to be focused.

What do you think is the biggest thing you learned from Sean Michaels? in NXT. Oh, many things. Yeah? Yeah. Many things. And when many people don't know about that, but when WW called me and I go sign with WW, other company call me.

So I'm between two companies and like what I can do. And show Michael, he called me and he say, I know you English, you know I speak English, but you can understand, so I talk to you because you need to know this, this, this. And he told me about the important thing in wrestling. We not talk about money. We not talk about famous, about marketing. We talk about wrestling.

He said many things. I never, just for me. But he said something really good. and he made me think about my passion in my life. So I learned a lot with Sean. Is there like something that every time you go into the ring, you think about, oh, that's something I learned from him? Yeah, maybe more.

And not in the room, no, maybe like wrestling, because we never train together. but like this business about my career, about how this happened, the career, yeah, for my career, it's important things. So it hasn't even been a year yet, which is amazing.

You want a Slammy award. Yeah. Breakout star. So what, I mean, you were the champ champ in NXT. So, you know, double champ and the Slammy award. and if things go well for you at Russell Palooza, women's world champion,

how do you possibly top this year? My best year. Yeah. Right? Yeah, amazing year. Happy birthday to your dad. Yeah. You say everything happened for one reason.

When they say you don't go to fashion parties, I'm so sad. I'm so sad. Yeah, because we were supposed to have. a match there. Yeah. And of course, congratulations to Naomi. What amazing news. Yeah. But yeah, that match didn't happen. Yeah, everything changed about that. So I'm sad for the match. I'm so happy for Naomi. But I'm so sad. But everything, I think is better because I have more time for training, focus next match. It's with I.O. Amazing. She's amazing. So

versus EO and ESPN big show with WWW. Russell Palusa. So it's like, amazing. It's really, really amazing. Sometimes everything changed for one reason. My dad's birthday, my dad's birthday, and he comes for the first time to watch my match and live. So it's everything perfect.

I don't know how it can get better. that. Like, I don't know how next year could possibly be better than this year, but you'll somehow find a way, I'm sure. You have a lot of fans in Chile who are watching this right now. Do you want to look into this camera and give them a message in Spanish? Yeah, in Spanish. I say, yeah, in Spanish, sometimes it's better because I can really feel like, I can say, yeah. Yeah. more than to know,

to thank you to all the support I've done to be really be a different and I'm

doing a good to be a chileana I'm sure that I'm sure to be a represent

and I promise that I'm a champion if not the next time for a

no matter I'm going to battleer and I'm to look during after I'm

made up and so that's so thank you thank you Thank you. Thank you. So I end every interview with the same question.

They're going to love that, by the way. Gratitude is such a huge part of my life. Stephanie, what are three things in your life that you're grateful for today? Wow. Right now as we sit here. Wow, it's a hard question. It's difficult then. I mean, first, when the people and my family support,

this is I think the more important for me right now forever this always is the more important for me and I need to say thank you to WWE my home my company my my family for the opportunity

they really trust in me and I work hard for that and I I want to prove why I'm here and I don't know. I don't know what I can say. The last one,

maybe thank you all my that people can, people say before you can't do it. For that reason, do it. You proved them all wrong. Yeah. It's no, no thank you. I don't want to say thank you that people. I want to show the old.

the people, like nobody can say, you can do that because nothing, nothing is impossible. So thank you for that. People say, no, it's impossible because it's like, no. Yeah, watch me. No, watch me. It's no impossible. It's more hard, but no impossible. I love that.

Congratulations on an amazing year. I can't wait to see what's next for you. Thank you so much. And thank you for this great conversation. Thank you so much. All right, a big thank you to Stephanie for being on the show. And thank you for listening all the way until the end. Stephanie Vakere versus EO Sky for the vacant women's world championship this Saturday at Russell Paloza.

I'm telling you, my prediction is Stephanie Vakar just feels like it makes sense. But all in all, what a rookie year for her in WWE. Absolutely incredible. And I loved this conversation. I hope that you enjoyed it as well. Snap a screenshot and tag us. She's at Stephanie dot Vakere on Instagram. She's at Steph underscore Vakere on X.

I'm at Chris Van Vleet, and I'll leave you with this quote from Paulo Coelho. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve. The fear of failure. Be great and be grateful, my friends. We've got a huge episode on Thursday. Day, The Heartbreak Kid. Sean Michaels joins us then.

We'll see you right back here for that. The Hammer Alley podcast, an 80s flashback mockumentary. Back in the 80s, there were a thousand bands trying to make it in the world of rock, but there was one band that had it all. Hammer Alley. Whatever happened to Hammer Alley? How did they go from top of the rock? I'm looking for a music video.

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