WWE

New Women’s World Champion Crowned At WWE Wrestlepalooza

Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY clashed at Wrestlepalooza for the vacant Women's World Championship following an unexpected turn of events for the previous titleholder.

Patricki Chites
New Women’s World Champion Crowned At WWE Wrestlepalooza

WWE has crowned a new Women’s World Champion. Stephanie Vaquer defeated IYO SKY at tonight’s Wrestlepalooza premium live event in Indianapolis to win the vacant title, marking the first reign of her career.

The championship was declared vacant last month after then-champion Naomi announced on the August 18 episode of Raw that she was pregnant and had to relinquish the belt. Naomi had won the title earlier this summer at WWE Evolution, cashing in her Money in the Bank contract during the main event between Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. With Naomi sidelined, WWE booked the two women owed title shots, Vaquer and SKY, to face off for the vacant championship.

Vaquer’s victory at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse caps a meteoric rise since she signed with the company just over a year ago. During her dominant run in NXT, she became the first woman to simultaneously hold the NXT Women’s and Women’s North American Championships. Her main roster call-up came this past April following WrestleMania weekend, and just months later, she has reached the top of the division.

The championship bout was a hard-fought, back-and-forth contest that earned “This Is Awesome” chants from the crowd. After SKY gained an early advantage with a suicide dive to the outside, Vaquer answered with a dive of her own, setting a competitive tone that carried through the match.

The final stretch saw a flurry of counters and near falls. After escaping a crossface submission from SKY, Vaquer nailed her Devil’s Kiss finisher followed by an SVB, but only scored a two-count. SKY responded with a top-rope Spanish Fly but couldn’t capitalize. After hitting a series of running knees, SKY climbed to the top for her signature Over the Moonsault, but Vaquer moved out of the way. That opening allowed Vaquer to ascend the turnbuckle and hit a Spiral Tap for the clean pinfall victory.

The contest ended with a significant show of respect, as Vaquer and SKY bowed to each other and embraced before Vaquer’s emotional celebration with her newly won title.