Stephanie Vaquer reveals praise from WWE star Randy Orton
When she won the Women’s World Championship last September, Stephanie Vaquer received some praise backstage from Randy Orton.
Vaquer won her first main roster gold by defeating IYO SKY a WWE Wrestlepalooza in September 2025. On a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Vaquer reflected on the match and how much it meant to have SKY as her opponent. Many people — including Orton — told them they had the match of the night.
“I really enjoyed that a lot, because IYO, I respect IYO so much. She’s amazing,” Vaquer said. “She’s really so professional, and I really enjoyed that match. It was an amazing match. I always say, I’m not just the Women’s World Champion, I won with IYO SKY, one of the best in the world.
“So it’s like, for me, it’s really special. IYO SKY, I respect IYO SKY too much. And I remember after that show, many people say, ‘Yeah, you really make that show like amazing because that match, the more important match in that day.’ And I remember Randy Orton say like, ‘You and IYO, you made the Wrestlepalooza, because that was the best match.'”
Everything worked out in the end, but there were some speed bumps on the road to Wrestlepalooza. It was originally supposed to be Naomi vs. Vaquer for the title at WWE Clash in Paris before Naomi had to relinquish the Women’s World Championship due to her pregnancy. Vaquer then almost missed Wrestlepalooza due to illness but ultimately was able to make the show and win the vacant belt.
Van Vliet asked Vaquer why she thinks she and SKY work so well together.
“I don’t know. I think maybe because I’m training before in Japan. So I know the Japanese style and language, no perfect, but we have a good communication and we can understand the style,” Vaquer responded. “We have many things like same and the style. So I think for that reason, we can do some really good chemistry in the ring.”
Vaquer is now approaching seven months as Women’s World Champion. She’s set to defend the title against Liv Morgan at night one of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.