Thread by @RobViper

The headline is Stephanie Vaquer signs with WWE but there are so many subplots. It's the biggest story of the year in Mexico without a doubt, especially with how it seems to have went down. The fallout will effect many people.

Vaquer has been working under some sort of CMLL contract. This isn't in question. But the abruptness of the departure w/ CMLL clearly being caught off guard and/or unable to prevent her immediate departure certainly throws into question how valid these contracts really are.

It changes the dynamic slightly in the AEW/CMLL relationship, especially with a wrestling war going on. If we now presume any CMLL contract can be invalidated on a moment's notice, it certainly becomes a risky proposition to feature any CMLL talent on AEW TV.

I'm not saying WWE is going to sign Atlantis Jr just to fuck w/ Tony's ROH show on 7/26. They won't. But apparently they can. That has to give certain people a moment's pause before setting plans in place. It could also give CMLL pause about who they want to keep off WWE's radar.

CMLL gets burnt by another foreigner. A recurring trend. CMLL did *a lot* for Vaquer, many things that were kept quiet. Both professionally & personally. CMLL has always had a hot & cold relationship w/ foreigners. I'd imagine today sets things back even further than before.

Vaquer having both NJPW & Rev Pro UK commitments upcoming which she is choosing to forgo leaves CMLL with egg on their face in front of three partner companies in one day. Probably not happy times in the CMLL whatsapp group chat today.

Remember when Mascara Dorada (Metalik) left? He could have done it this way too. Instead, a compromise was worked out where Metalik got his big send-off & CMLL got to save face w/ NJPW/general public by putting on the appearence they were "allowing" him to leave.

Could Vaquer have done the same? Perhaps. The new AEW relationship complicates things. Obviously you can't have a nice send-off & CMLL portraying it as they are "allowing" someone to depart straight into the arms of the direct competitor to their partner company.

And now the subject that will wind up being the biggest shoe to drop based on today's news...

Cuatrero.

I'm no legal expert (saludos a @thefredork) but I believe Stephanie leaving Mexico means there is nobody pressing charges any longer & Cuatrero will be a free man imminently.

Even if the charges don't get fully dropped - it's been expressly stated by a judge multiple times the reason Cuatrero is still being held in jail is b/c he (+ his supporters) pose a threat to the victim.

If the victim is gone from Mexico, there's no threat. He will be set free.

Again, I'm no lawyer. I don't know how fast this will all go down. But AAA has a 'luchador sorpresa' listed as teaming with Sanson & Forastero for Verano De Escandalo on 8/2. It probably won't be Cuatrero but people will be expecting it to be now which AAA won't shoot down.

Either way - who ever saw Stephanie Vaquer signing with WWE as being the end game for the Cuatrero arrested & jailed story? An amazing twist. In the end, the same person who put him in jail is likely handing him his get out of jail free card.

Pro wrestling, man.

I assume WWE wants her on TV fast to throw 💩 @ AEW. I don't know what the timeline would be for Vaquer to show up in Orlando. It's probably complicated w/ her being a Mexican resident (as far as I've been told) but of Chilean descent. There's probably much paperwork to be done.

Timeline of how this all came together would be interesting if told honestly one day. I would imagine WWE made contact before Forbidden Door (if the CMLL contract wasn't valid, there is no tampering) & then turned things into express mode after the match with Mercedes.

The red flag most missed unless you are SUPER into CMLL minutiae (🙋‍♂️my name is Rob, I have a problem): Vaquer no-showing Saturday @ Arena Coliseo. CMLL wrestlers don't do that. CMLL didn't sub her out until 1 hour pre-show (check-in time) which means they had no idea until then.

Choosing WWE always seemed to be Vaquer's end game. She had expressed it openly. Personally it's probably good for her to put the Mexico drama behind her & WWE moving people to Orlando not only allows that but also gives her a fresh start with a new name.

How will she do? I'd get heat if I told you my opinion so I'll just stay quiet. But again I remind everyone - Vaquer was on WWE's radar for years. She wasn't a priority when she won the NJPW Strong Titles. She only became one once AEW put her on TV. Tony deserves a gift basket.