It’s only been a year since Stephanie Vaquer was called up to WWE’s main roster, and during that time she’s been able to stand toe-to-toe with stars like IYO SKY and Tiffany Stratton, be featured on multiple Premium Live Events, as well as become Women’s World Champion. However, before achieving success on the highest level in WWE, Vaquer wrestled internationally for 16 years in countries like Mexico and Japan, where she became one of the most gifted female stars not signed to a major promotion. Although she finally joined WWE in her early 30s, Vaquer admitted in a recent interview on “Insight” that there were several moments when she wanted to quit the sport, but always believed she would accomplish her goal of becoming a WWE star.

“Many time, but I don’t know how I can explain that, but I knew it. I always say, I never have plan B. I always have the plan to my dream. I never say ‘Oh if that not happen maybe I can go and be I don’t know,’ I never think about that. I never thought I can’t do that. I always say yeah this is my dream and I will be and we’re here. But it’s crazy, I can’t really explain the feeling. I knew it and maybe not like this, this is better. This is better than my dream, not like this, but yeah, I think maybe destiny.”

In addition to becoming a major star in CMLL throughout the 2020s, Vaquer also had the opportunity to showcase her talents in AEW before signing with WWE, where she lost the NJPW STRONG Women’s Title to Mercedes Mone at Forbidden Door 2024. Vaquer has returned to Mexico once since joining WWE, as she made her Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide debut last year at Worlds Collide.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Insight” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is no stranger to a chaotic WrestleMania build. Outside of his return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 to face Seth Rollins, either his ‘Mania match itself, or the build around it has been divisive amongst WWE fans. Rhodes appeared on ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” podcast ahead of his WrestleMania 42 bout against Randy Orton, with Pat McAfee in his corner, and talked about the ongoing trend of his WrestleMania matches.

“I feel bad pointing this out, but the first WrestleMania main event, well three years, there’s involvement outside of me vs. Roman Reigns straight up,” Rhodes explained. “The ‘Final Boss’ enters the fray. That becomes a situation. Last year, WrestleMania, me vs. John Cena, there’s outside involvement again. Travis Scott enters the fray. That’s a whole other situation. That’s what I do. Being a Cody Rhodes fan at WrestleMania season is a choice. It’s an experience. We’re going to have people who want to drop in and, hey, it’s interesting.”

While Rhodes famously finished his story against Roman Reigns to win the title at WrestleMania 40 after losing to the “Tribal Chief” at the 39th edition of the event, the match almost didn’t happen thanks to involvement from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Johnson also interfered in the build to WrestleMania 41, as a newly-heel Cena aligned with The Rock, in addition to Travis Scott. The “Final Boss” never showed up to ‘Mania, however, leaving Scott to leisurely stroll down the ramp before helping Cena win the title.

Rhodes is set to defend his gold against Orton on Saturday. The match has been a talking point for fans for weeks, and not in a good way, after the reveal of McAfee as Orton’s mystery ally.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit ESPN and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

ESPN reporter Andreas Hale took to social media to announce he had been blocked access to WrestleMania 42, despite the ongoing relationship between WWE and its PLE partner.

WWE agreed a deal to air Premium Live Events via ESPN+ reportedly worth $1.6 billion for five years, and in the build-up to WrestleMania 42 has been prominently working with ESPN personalities including Stephen A. Smith. 

However, it appears there will be no objective coverage from ESPN at the event, with Hale revealing that his credentials for the event had been denied with no reason given to either him or ESPN.

“I will not be covering WrestleMania 42 for ESPN,” Hale wrote via X. “WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access. Neither I nor ESPN has been told why. You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE. Let me know what they tell you.”

I will not be covering #WrestleMania for ESPN.

WWE denied my credentials and blocked my access.

Neither I nor ESPN has been told why.

You can speculate on the reasons, but if you want answers, ask WWE.

Let me know what they tell you.

~FIN~

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 18, 2026

ESPN’s relationship with WWE has not always been plain sailing, with the deal becoming subject to a Class Action lawsuit for deceptive marketing practices in January. ESPN was also reportedly forced to drop its letter grading system in reviews of the shows at the behest of WWE.