WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made waves during her recent appearance on Monday Night Raw, but not entirely for the reasons she intended. While promoting the upcoming WWE Evolution event and celebrating the current women’s division, Bella stumbled over pronouncing Stephanie Vaquer’s name—a moment that caught the attention of eagle-eyed wrestling fans across social media.
The Raw Spotlight Moment
Bella’s return to Raw served a dual purpose: hyping the next iteration of WWE Evolution and putting over the incredible depth of today’s women’s roster. During her segment, she gave props to established stars like Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and reigning WWE Women’s World Champion IYO SKY.
The Hall of Famer also made sure to highlight the fresh faces making their mark on the main roster, specifically mentioning Roxanne Perez, Giulia, and Stephanie Vaquer. However, when it came to “La Primera” Vaquer’s surname, Bella’s pronunciation didn’t quite hit the mark.
Behind-the-Scenes Preparation Revealed
On “The Nikki & Brie Show,” Bella pulled back the curtain on her preparation process and addressed the mispronunciation head-on. Her candid explanation revealed the mental gymnastics that can happen when you’re trying to nail every detail of a live segment.
“Even though it’s only a few people that have said stuff, I can’t tell you how many times I went over Stephanie Vaquer’s — I feel like I am still saying it wrong — last name,” Bella explained. “I even was asking her, but she says that, of course, in a beautiful Latina accent. When I would repeat it after her, she’s like ‘Perfect.’ I was saying it amazing, but then you get in your head.”
The Psychology of Live Performance Pressure
Bella’s explanation highlights something many performers can relate to—the difference between rehearsal and execution under pressure. Despite getting direct coaching from Vaquer herself, the live television environment created a mental roadblock.
The veteran explained her strategic thinking during the segment, noting how she didn’t want to get hung up on one name and potentially derail her entire speech. This insight shows the split-second decision-making that happens during live WWE programming.
“I wanted to say a bunch of people’s names, so I didn’t want to get too hooked on hers,” Bella continued, “but then, I was asking people. They were like, ‘No you just say it like Vaquer, like think care at the end.’ Then I am like ‘Ok,’ but then I wanted to say it with some spice, so I got to work on that.”
Vaquer’s Incredible Weekend Schedule
While Stephanie Vaquer wasn’t physically present on Raw, she was certainly keeping busy elsewhere. The talented wrestler pulled off an impressive triple-header over the weekend that showcased WWE’s current packed schedule and cross-promotional opportunities.
Her weekend kicked off with a tag team match on Friday Night SmackDown, followed by competing at both WWE x AAA Worlds Collide and Money in the Bank on consecutive days. Vaquer found success in her first two outings, though Naomi ultimately climbed the ladder to claim the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase.
Evolution and Women’s Division Momentum
Bella’s appearance serves as another reminder of how far WWE’s women’s division has evolved since the original Evolution pay-per-view. The mix of established stars and newcomers she highlighted represents the incredible depth currently available on the roster.
From international signings like Giulia and Vaquer to homegrown talents like Perez, the women’s division continues expanding its global reach and in-ring capabilities.
Sometimes the most relatable moments come from the unscripted mishaps that remind us these larger-than-life performers are human too. Will Bella’s honest approach to addressing her pronunciation struggles endear her even more to wrestling fans, and how will WWE continue showcasing its diverse roster of international talent moving forward?
