Raquel Rodriguez Poised for Championship Defense

When WWE’s last evolution event occurred, Raquel Rodriguez was still in training at the Performance Center. She had dreams of stepping into the ring alongside some of the biggest names in wrestling.

This Sunday, she’ll get her chance—Rodriguez will defend the tag team championship against Roxanne Perez in what promises to be a grueling match. They’ll be facing off in a fatal four-way tag contest featuring teams led by Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, as well as Sol Luka and Zaria, along with Kairi Thane and Asuka.

Looking back, Rodriguez recalls watching a premium live event in 2018 and how it ignited her passion for the “evolution” of women’s wrestling.

“This is such an exciting moment for women not just in WWE, but for all women in wrestling worldwide,” she said. “We’ve only had one evolution, but I remember coming back in 2018 and feeling the anticipation as we trained at the Performance Center.”

“Now, knowing we have a second evolution, and that more women can showcase their journey in our sport—wow, it’s going to be an incredible show. It really shows change.”

Wrestling isn’t just a career for Rodriguez; it runs in her blood. Her father, Rick, was an independent wrestler in Texas during the 80s and 90s, and she grew up watching him compete.

Rodriguez explained that her interest in wrestling was greatly influenced by her father, alongside icons like Chyna who inspired her during her upbringing.

“I didn’t look up to just one person. I really admired many, even from a young age. I was tall for my age—over six feet by freshman year—and I remember looking up to guys like my dad,” she said. “He made so many sacrifices that shaped the decisions I’ve made in my life.”

Currently, Rodriguez is a six-time women’s tag team champion, four of those titles having been won alongside Liv Morgan. However, Morgan is sidelined due to a shoulder injury, leaving Perez to step in as her partner for now.

Despite their lack of prior official teaming experience, Rodriguez expressed confidence in their abilities to hold onto their titles. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge for us,” she noted. “But I look at other teams—Alexa Bliss and Charlotte haven’t been paired for long. They might be talented, but we have experience on our side.”

She also acknowledged the skill of Zaria and Sol. “I think they’re incredibly talented and seem to have a strong synergy in tag matches, but each has her own style. Even so, I bring a level of experience in this category that can’t be denied.”