Stephanie Vaquel is currently in Riyadh for WWE’s major Middle East event but won’t be participating in the upcoming Royal Rumble. The Women’s World Champion, who is set to defend her title against Raquel Rodriguez on next Monday’s Raw, was removed from the 2026 Royal Rumble lineup despite traveling to Saudi Arabia for the show. Responding to her absence with composure and enthusiasm, Vaquel shared several photos from the event venue on Twitter on January 31.
She reflected on how the Royal Rumble experience was life-changing, saying, “The Royal Rumble is one of those experiences that changes you forever. It was a dream come true to be a part of it. After that, I knew I was going to win the next Royal Rumble.”
Vaquel also expressed how her reality has surpassed her initial dreams and made it clear she remains focused and motivated, looking ahead to who will step up next. She added, “But when you truly fight for something and sacrifice everything for it, reality can surpass even your wildest dreams. At Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia, I will be carrying the coveted gold medal… Good luck to all participants. I will be watching, because the real challenge begins when I want to face the Women’s World Champion.”
Although she won’t be competing in the Rumble itself, Stephanie Vaquel’s presence in Saudi Arabia and her message to potential challengers signal that she is fully prepared for the upcoming WrestleMania season.
Should Stephanie Vaquel have been part of the Royal Rumble match? Who do you expect will step up to challenge her at WrestleMania 42? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Fan Take: Stephanie Vaquel’s decision to stay out of the Royal Rumble while maintaining a strong presence in Saudi Arabia underscores her confidence and strategic mindset as champion. This sets up an exciting narrative for WWE fans, as it hints at intense rivalries and high-stakes showdowns leading into WrestleMania, potentially reshaping the women’s division landscape.
