WWE potentially facing major issue from AEW and NJPW - Reports
WWE remains the top pro wrestling company in the world with AEW and NJPW working hard to keep up. However, the deep wrestling talent pool is shared by all three companies, and others like TNA and MLW. Sources are now revealing how recent heat will likely lead to shaky situations between wrestlers and companies.
Stephanie Vaquer shocked the wrestling world in July by joining World Wrestling Entertainment the same day she left NJPW and CMLL, where she was a dual champion. The departures came ten days after she dropped the NJPW Strong Women's Championship to TBS Champion Mercedes Moné in a Winner Takes All match at Forbidden Door. Tony Khan and officials were hopeful Vaquer would sign but were upset at the near-16-year veteran for choosing WWE amid heavy AEW interest.
The Dark Angel has officially debuted in NXT, and this has led to increased chatter regarding her journey. AEW officials were not happy with her decision for multiple reasons, and now Fightful Select reports on how the company appears to be working on ways to prevent a repeat of the Vaquer debacle.
There's a belief that some wrestlers, who work in future All Elite Wrestling events or any other co-promoted AEW events, will have to agree that they will not immediately go to WWE. This non-compete clause would likely be part of the event-specific contract and not a separate agreement in itself. However, it's important to note that this has not been confirmed within the Jacksonville-based promotion.
Vaquer made a good impression in her matches with Moné and Lady Frost, as reiterated by AEW sources, but some within the company could tell that WWE reached out shortly after Forbidden Door. There was also a feeling within the Jacksonville-based promotion that the 31-year-old would probably end up with the global juggernaut, but many were surprised at how quickly everything came together after the pay-per-view.
AEW sources understood WWE wanted to sign a key talent that they were also interested in, but did not understand why they'd have Vaquer pull out of her CMLL dates, which were important as she needed to drop a title. This was an initial reaction, and some of the criticism diminished when the 31-year-old quickly debuted on the WWE live events in Mexico that same weekend, instead of being pulled off the road altogether after the controversial signing.
Vaquer also made her main roster in-ring debut at non-televised live events in Mexico, held the week she signed. She defeated Isla Dawn on July 13 in Mexico City, then won the rematch the next night in Monterrey.
WWE's Stephanie Vaquer set for big NXT matches
Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia have arrived in NXT, and as expected, the international stars are being pushed in the women's division. Their debuts come as Cora Jade reunited with NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez.
This week's go-home NXT edition will feature Vaquer and Giulia vs. Fatal Influence. The match serves as a warm-up to the Halloween Havoc PLE on October 27, featuring Vaquer and Giulia vs. Perez and Jade.
Vaquer made her in-ring debut on last week's edition of NXT, defeating Wren Sinclair. Giulia had already debuted last month with a win over Chelsea Green, then two non-televised live event losses, and a TV loss to Perez.