New report clarifies champion will not vacate Women’s World Title
Summary
– Stephanie Vaquer suffered a legitimate ankle injury on WWE RAW
– WWE does not expect her to vacate the Women’s World Championship
– Her reign could continue through Royal Rumble and beyond
Concerns surrounding Stephanie Vaquer’s status as WWE Women’s World Champion have eased following a new backstage update. While her ankle injury is legitimate, it is not expected to derail her championship reign.
After Raquel Rodriguez attacked Vaquer on the January 5, 2026, episode of WWE RAW, speculation quickly spread about whether she would be forced to vacate the title. A report from PWInsider has since confirmed that the injury is not severe enough to require that outcome.
Sources indicated that Vaquer is dealing with a real injury, but it falls within the range of issues many performers regularly work through. WWE officials reportedly view the situation as manageable rather than a long-term issue.
The injury was first publicly acknowledged on Fightful’s post-RAW show, where it was confirmed that Vaquer’s condition was legitimate, though the exact severity was unclear at the time. Additional optimism came from the fact that she appeared in a walking boot rather than a full cast.
Vaquer also remained physically involved during RAW, which further suggested the injury was not catastrophic. That flexibility gives WWE room to adjust creative plans while allowing her recovery time.
With major events approaching, WWE could realistically extend Vaquer’s reign through the Royal Rumble and possibly into Elimination Chamber if her condition continues to improve. Timing works in her favor, as she defended the championship shortly before the injury angle began.
Vaquer’s emotional promo at the Barclays Center initially gave the impression of a potential farewell. Instead, it served as the setup for Raquel Rodriguez’s brutal attack, including a steel chair assault on Vaquer’s injured ankle, both in the ring and backstage.
Stephanie Vaquer won the Women’s World Championship on September 20, 2025, at Wrestlepalooza by defeating IYO SKY and has held the title for more than 100 days. Based on the latest update, her reign is expected to continue for the time being.
