Victoria González (born January 12, 1991) is an American

professional wrestler Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to real-life wrest ...

. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw

brand A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...

under the

ring name A ring name is a type of stage name or nickname used by an athlete such as a professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, or boxer whose real name is considered unattractive, dull, difficult to pronounce or spell, amusing for the wrong reasons ...

Raquel Rodriguez. She is a member of The Judgment Day

stable A stable is a building in which working animals are kept, especially horses or oxen. The building is usually divided into stalls, and may include storage for equipment and feed. Styles There are many different types of stables in use tod ...

and is one-half of the current WWE Women's Tag Team Champions alongside stablemate Liv Morgan in their record-setting fourth reign as a team and record-setting fifth reign individually. She is also a one-time NXT Women's Champion and a record-tying two-time and the inaugural

NXT Women's Tag Team Champion The NXT Women's Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling Women's professional wrestling championship, women's tag team championship created and promoted by the United States, American professional wrestling promotion, promotion WWE. It w ...

. González is a second generation professional wrestler, following her father Rick González, and began her career in June 2016 on the

independent circuit In professional wrestling, the independent circuit (often shortened to the indie circuit or the indies) is the collective name of independently owned promotions which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. ...

. She signed with WWE in October 2016, performing under her real name, and debuted for the company's developmental brand, NXT, in early 2017. Her ring name changed to Reina González later that year before it again changed to Raquel González in early 2020. In early 2021, she and Dakota Kai won the inaugural Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, then becoming the inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champions, a title they won again in early 2022 for a record-tying second time. She moved to the main roster on the SmackDown brand in April 2022 with her ring name changed to Raquel Rodriguez, and then moved to Raw the next year. While on the main roster, she won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship once with

Aliyah ''Aliyah'' (, ; ''ʿălīyyā'', ) is the immigration of Jews from Jewish diaspora, the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel or the Palestine (region), Palestine region, which is today chiefly represented by the Israel ...

and later four times with Liv Morgan.

Early life

Victoria González was born on January 12, 1991, in La Feria, Texas, USA. She is of Mexican descent. A fan of professional wrestling growing up, she cited

Madusa Debrah Ann Miceli (born February 9, 1963), better known as Madusa, is an Americans, American monster truck driver and retired professional wrestler. She is currently signed to National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as a producer. In professional wre ...

and Lita as her inspirations as well as her father Rick, who was also a wrestler. Through high school and college, González was a

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player, playing collegiately for the Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas. In 2013, she transferred to

Sam Houston State University Sam Houston State University (Sam Houston, SHSU or Sam) is a public research university in Huntsville, Texas, United States. Founded in 1879, it is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools wes ...

where she continued her collegiate basketball career, and she earned her bachelor's degree in Mass Communication.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2016)

Victoria González made her

professional wrestling Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...

debut on June 3, 2016 at an event held by River City Wrestling, teaming with Claudia del Solis in a losing effort against Baby D and Delilah Doom.

WWE

Early appearances (2016–2020)

On October 25, 2016, it was reported that González had signed with WWE and reported to the

WWE Performance Center WWE Performance Center (WWE PC) is a group of professional wrestling schools owned by American company WWE. They serve as tryout and training facilities for WWE, and also contain sports science and medical facilities as well as live events and ...

. She made her in-ring debut on January 20, 2017, under her birth name at an NXT live event, where she was unsuccessful winning a 12-woman

battle royal Battle royal (, also battle royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules, where the winner is the one who registers the most wins. In recent times, the term has been ...

. On the May 3 episode of ''NXT'', González made her first television appearance in a losing effort, where she was eliminated during a battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the NXT Women's Championship. Under the name Reina González, she competed in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament, where she was eliminated during the first round by Nicole Savoy, which aired on August 28. González would compete again in the tournament in 2018, where she once again was eliminated in the first round by

Kacy Catanzaro Kacy Esther Catanzaro (born January 14, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and a former gymnast and obstacle racer. She is best known for her time in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Katana Chance. Alongside Kayden Carter, ...

Alliance with Dakota Kai (2020–2021)

On February 16, 2020, at NXT TakeOver: Portland, under the ring name Raquel González, she interfered in a street fight between Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox by slamming Nox through a table, allowing Kai to win the match, establishing herself as a

heel The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg. Structure To distribute the compressive forces exerted ...

in the process. González then became Kai's bodyguard, helping her win her matches. González had her first pay-per-view match on June 7 at TakeOver: In Your House, where she, Kai, and Candice LeRae lost to Mia Yim, Nox and Shotzi Blackheart in a six-woman tag team match. Afterwards, González went on a short hiatus, but returned on the August 19 episode of ''NXT'', helping Kai attack NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai. At NXT TakeOver XXX three days later, after Kai lost to Shirai,

Rhea Ripley Demi Bennett (born 11 October 1996) is an Australian professional wrestler. As of July 2017, she is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw (WWE brand), Raw WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Rhea Ripley. She is a List of Women ...

confronted González, beginning a rivalry between the two. González lost to Ripley on October 28 at

Halloween Havoc Halloween Havoc is a professional wrestling List of NWA/WCW closed-circuit events and pay-per-view events, event currently produced by WWE. Since 2020, it has been held annually for the company's WWE brand extension, developmental brand, NXT (WWE ...

. Kai and González aligned with LeRae and Toni Storm in November, resulting in a

WarGames match WarGames is a specialized steel cage match in professional wrestling. The match usually involves two teams of four or more wrestlers locked inside a steel cage that encompasses two rings placed side by side. The cage may or may not have a roof, de ...

against Blackheart, Ember Moon, Shirai, and Ripley on December 6 at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, which González won after pinning Shirai. At New Year's Evil on January 6, 2021, she defeated Ripley in a Last Woman Standing match, ending their feud. Kai and González took part in the inaugural Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating

and Jessi Kamea in the first round, Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter in the semi-finals, and Moon and Blackheart at Vengeance Day on February 14 to win the tournament. As a result of their win, they received a match for the

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling Women's Tag Team Championship, women's tag team Professional wrestling, championship created and promoted by the American professional wrestling promotion, promotion WWE. It is th ...

against champions Nia Jax and

Shayna Baszler Shayna Andrea Baszler ( ; born August 8, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and a former kickboxer and mixed martial artist. She is best known for her time in WWE, where she became a former List of NXT Women's Champions, two-time and lon ...

on March 3; the match ended in controversy, with Jax and Baszler retaining after Baszler submitted Kai despite her not being tagged in. As a result, González and Kai were crowned the inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champions the following week, the first title in González's career; however, they would lose the titles 56 minutes later to Blackheart and Moon in their first title defense.

NXT Women's Champion (2021–2022)

On April 7, 2021, at the first night of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, González defeated Shirai to become the new NXT Women's Champion. On the May 11 episode of ''NXT'', she made her first successful title defense against

Mercedes Martinez Jazmin Benitez (born November 17, 1980) is an American professional wrestler signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Mercedes Martinez. She also appears for AEW's sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), where she is a former ROH W ...

. On June 13 at NXT TakeOver: In Your House, González retained the title against Ember Moon. On the July 27 episode of ''NXT'', González was attacked by Kai, turning

face The face is the front of the head that features the eyes, nose and mouth, and through which animals express many of their emotions. The face is crucial for human identity, and damage such as scarring or developmental deformities may affect th ...

for the first time in her career and ending their alliance. This led to a title match between the two at NXT TakeOver 36 on August 22, where González retained and was confronted by Kay Lee Ray. On the September 28 episode of ''NXT'', after retaining the title against Franky Monet, she was attacked by Toxic Attraction ( Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne). The following week, a Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal match between González and Rose for the title was made for

on October 26, where she lost the NXT Women's Championship to Rose in a Trick or Street Fight due to the returning Kai's interference, ending her reign at 202 days. On December 5 at WarGames, González, Cora Jade, Io Shirai and Kay Lee Ray defeated Kai and Toxic Attraction in a WarGames match. At New Year's Evil on January 4, 2022, González failed to regain the title in a triple threat match also involving Jade, who Rose pinned to retain the title. González and Jade then took part in the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, defeating Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon in the first round, but lost to Kai and Wendy Choo in the semi-finals on March 8 at

Roadblock A roadblock is a temporary installation set up to control or block traffic along a road. The reasons for one could be: * Roadworks *Temporary road closure during special events * Police chase *Robbery * Sobriety checkpoint * Protests In peaceful ...

. On the March 29 episode of ''NXT'', after Toxic Attraction took out Choo, Dakota Kai attacked the group and was assisted by a returning González, whom Kai embraced afterwards. It was then announced that Kai and González would face Toxic Attraction members Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship during the pre-show of NXT Stand & Deliver on April 2, in which they were successful in winning the titles. Their first title defense was scheduled for the following episode of ''NXT'', where they lost the titles back to Toxic Attraction due to Mandy Rose's interference; this was González's final appearance in NXT.

WWE Women's Tag Team Champion (2022–2023)

On the April 8 episode of ''SmackDown'', González made her main roster debut in a backstage segment under the new ring name Raquel Rodriguez. On the April 29 episode of ''SmackDown'', she made her in-ring debut for the brand, defeating local competitor Cat Cardoza. On the May 13 episode of ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez answered Ronda Rousey's open challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship, but lost. On the June 17 episode of ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez defeated Baszler to qualify for the Money in the Bank

ladder match A ladder match is a type of match in professional wrestling, most commonly one in which an item (usually a title belt) is hung above the ring, and the winner is the contestant who climbs a ladder and retrieves the item. The ladder itself become ...

on July 2, which was won by Liv Morgan. On the August 5 episode of ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez competed in a gauntlet match to determine the number one contender to Morgan's SmackDown Women's Championship, but was the last woman eliminated by Baszler. The following week, she and Aliyah participated in the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament, defeating Shotzi and Xia Li in the first round, and Natalya and Sonya Deville in the semi-finals. On the August 29 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and Aliyah defeated Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky) in the finals to win the vacant tag titles, making her the first woman to have held the NXT Women's and WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. On the September 12 episode of ''Raw'', they lost the titles to Kai and Sky, ending their reign at 14 days. After Shotzi saved her from an attack by Damage CTRL, they challenged Kai and Sky for the titles on the October 21 episode of ''SmackDown'', but were unsuccessful after Bayley distracted Shotzi. On the November 11 episode of ''SmackDown'', she competed in a six-pack challenge to determine the #1 contender to Rousey's SmackDown Women's Championship, which was won by Shotzi. On the December 23 episode of ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez won a gauntlet match to become the number one contender to Ronda Rousey's SmackDown Women's Championship. The following week on ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez failed to win the title after interference from Shayna Baszler. Rodriguez entered her first Royal Rumble match at the titular event on January 28, 2023, and eliminated Nia Jax,

Lacey Evans Macey Estrella-Kadlec ( Evans; born March 24, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and former U.S. Marine. She is best known for her tenure in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Lacey Evans. Originally introduced to wrestling wh ...

, and Piper Niven before being eliminated by eventual winner Rhea Ripley. At Night 2 of WrestleMania 39, Rodriguez teamed with Liv Morgan to take part in the women's WrestleMania Showcase fatal four-way tag team match, which was won by Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler. On the April 3 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez teamed with Morgan to defeat Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky of Damage CTRL to become new number one contenders for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, with the title match being scheduled for the following week against reigning champions Lita and

Becky Lynch Rebecca Quin (born 30 January 1987), better known by the ring name Becky Lynch, is an Irish professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand and is the current WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion in her ...

. However, Lita was attacked backstage by an unknown assailant, and was replaced by Trish Stratus. Rodriguez and Morgan would go on to win and became the new champions. As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Rodriguez was drafted to the Raw

. On the May 19 episode of ''SmackDown'', Rodriguez and Morgan vacated the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship due to Morgan suffering an injury, ending their first reign at 39 days. On the May 29 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and her new tag team partner,

Shotzi Ashley Louise Alfaro (Birth name, née Urbanski; born March 14, 1992), better known by the ring name Shotzi Blackheart, is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her tenure in WWE, where she performed under the ring name Shotzi ...

, failed to win the vacant titles. On the June 19 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez lost the qualifying match for the women's

Money in the Bank ladder match The Money in the Bank ladder match is a multi-person ladder match held by the professional wrestling promotion WWE. First performed at WWE's annual WrestleMania event beginning in 2005, a separate WWE Money in the Bank, Money in the Bank event w ...

to Trish Stratus by disqualification when Becky Lynch attacked Stratus halfway through the match. On the June 23 episode of ''SmackDown'', after reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler defeated NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn in a unification match, Rodriguez and the returning Morgan challenged Rousey and Baszler for the tag team titles at Money in the Bank. At the event, Rodriguez and Morgan regained the championships after Baszler turned on Rousey. On the July 17 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and Morgan were scheduled to defend their titles against Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green, but Rhea Ripley attacked Rodriguez and Morgan before the match, causing Rodriguez to sustain a left knee injury. Later that night, Rodriguez and Morgan lost the titles to Deville and Chelsea Green, ending their second reign at 16 days. After her return on the August 21 episode of ''Raw,'' Rodriguez challenged Ripley several times for the Women's World Championship, but she failed to win the title.

The Judgment Day (2024–present)

On January 1, 2024, Raquel revealed she was diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, which has resulted in her being absent from WWE shows. After a two-month hiatus, Raquel returned on February 19 episode of ''Raw'' and won a Last Chance Battle Royal to earn the sixth and final spot in the women's Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber: Perth. She would, however, fail at the event after being eliminated by

Bianca Belair Bianca Nicole Crawford (née Blair; born April 9, 1989) is an American professional wrestler and fitness and figure competitor. she is signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under t ...

. On March 18, she went on hiatus again after her mast cell activation syndrome flared up at Elimination Chamber: Perth. After a seven-month hiatus, Rodriguez returned at Bad Blood and attacked Rhea Ripley, helping Liv Morgan retain the Women's World Championship while becoming the newest member of The Judgment Day, turning

for the first time since 2021 and the first time on the main roster. On the November 11 episode of ''Raw,'' Rodriguez and Morgan failed to win the

from Belair and tag partner Jade Cargill. At

Survivor Series WarGames Survivor Series, branded as Survivor Series: WarGames since 2022, is a professional wrestling event produced annually since 1987 by WWE, the world's largest professional wrestling promotion. Held in November generally the week of Thanksgiving, ...

on November 30, Rodriguez, Morgan, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton and Candice LeRae lost to Ripley, Belair, Bayley, Iyo Sky and Naomi in a

. On February 1, 2025, Rodriguez entered the Women's Royal Rumble at #26, aiding Morgan. However, she was eliminated by Jax. On the February 17 episode of ''Raw,'' Rodriguez faced Roxanne Perez to try and qualify for the women's Elimination Chamber Match at Elimination Chamber: Toronto. However, she lost due to interference from Belair and Naomi. On the February 24 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and Morgan defeated Belair and Naomi to win the

for a record-setting third time after interference from "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio. On Night 2 of WrestleMania 41 on April 20, Rodriguez and Morgan lost the titles to Lyra Valkyria and the returning

ending their reign at 55 days, but regained the titles in a rematch the following night on ''Raw''. The following night on ''NXT'', Rodriguez and Morgan successfully defended the titles against Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley.

Professional wrestling style

During her time in NXT, González performed a one-arm

powerbomb A powerbomb is a professional wrestling throw in which an opponent is lifted (usually so that they are sitting on the wrestler's shoulders) and then slammed back-first down to the mat. The standard powerbomb sees an opponent first placed in a s ...

as a finishing move called the ''Chingona Bomb''. The move was renamed to the ''Tejana Bomb'' when she was drafted to the main roster since it was deemed too vulgar.

Personal life

González formerly dated fellow WWE wrestler

Braun Strowman Adam Joseph Scherr (born September 6, 1983) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and Strongman (strength athlete), strongman. As a wrestler, he is best known for his tenure in WWE from 2013 to 2025, where he performed un ...

. On January 1, 2024, she revealed that she was diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome.

Championships and accomplishments

* ''

New York Post The ''New York Post'' (''NY Post'') is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative daily Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid newspaper published in New York City. The ''Post'' also operates three online sites: NYPost. ...

'' ** Faction of the Year (2024) * ''

Pro Wrestling Illustrated ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The maga ...

'' ** Ranked No. 10 of the top 150 female wrestlers in the ''

PWI Women's 150 ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' (''PWI'') is an American professional wrestling magazine that was founded in 1979 by publisher Stanley Weston. ''PWI'' is headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, and published by Kappa Publishing Group. The mag ...

'' in 2021 ** Ranked No. 24 of the top 100 Tag Teams in the '' PWI Tag Team 100'' in 2023 - with Liv Morgan * WWE **

( 5 times, current) – with

(1) and Liv Morgan (4, current) ** NXT Women's Championship ( 1 time) ** NXT Women's Tag Team Championship ( 2 times, inaugural) – with Dakota Kai ** WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Tournament (2022) – with Aliyah ** Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (

2021 Like the year 2020, 2021 was also heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the emergence of multiple Variants of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 variants. The major global rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, which began at the end of 2020, continued ...

) – with Dakota Kai *Other titles **National Don't H8 Ringmaster (2021)

References

Notes

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Rodriguez, Raquel 1991 births 21st-century American professional wrestlers 21st-century American sportswomen 21st-century female professional wrestlers American professional wrestlers of Mexican descent American female professional wrestlers American actresses of Mexican descent Living people NXT Women's Champions NXT Women's Tag Team Champions People from La Feria, Texas Professional wrestlers from Texas Professional wrestling managers and valets Sam Houston Bearkats women's basketball Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas athletes WWE Women's Tag Team Champions