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

professional wrestler Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar to the kind used in boxing, and the dramatic aspects of pro wrestling may be performed both in the ring or ...

currently signed to

WWE World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and vario ...

, where she performs on the

Raw Raw is an adjective usually describing: * Raw materials, basic materials from which products are manufactured or made * Raw food, uncooked food Raw or RAW may also refer to: Computing and electronics * .RAW, a proprietary mass spectrometry dat ...

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

under the

ring name A ring name is a type of stage name 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, or projecting ...

Raquel Rodriguez. She is a former record-tying three-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, one-time

NXT Women's Champion The NXT Women's Championship is a women's professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It is defended on the NXT brand division, the promotion's developmental territory. Introduced on April 5, 2013, th ...

and a record-tying two-time and inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champion. 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 or indie circuit is the collective noun, collective name of independent professional wrestling promotions which are smaller than major televised promotions. It is roughly analogous to a minor lea ...

. She signed with WWE in October 2016, performing under her real name, and debuted for the company's

developmental brand In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team, feeder club, or nursery club is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher ...

NXT NXT may refer to: Professional wrestling * '' WWE NXT'', a professional wrestling television program produced by WWE that began in 2010 ** NXT (WWE brand), WWE's Florida-based brand and former developmental territory * '' NXT UK'', the British spi ...

, 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, subsequently 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 SmackDown in April 2022 with her ring name changed to Raquel Rodriguez, and then transferred to Raw the following year. While on the main roster, she won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship once with

Aliyah Aliyah (, ; he, עֲלִיָּה ''ʿălīyyā'', ) is the immigration of Jews from Jewish diaspora, the diaspora to, historically, the geographical Land of Israel, which is in the modern era chiefly represented by the Israel, State of Israel ...

and then later twice with Liv Morgan.

Early life

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

player, playing collegiately for the

Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas The Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas ( ) are the College athletics, athletic teams that represent Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK) in Kingsville, Texas, in intercollegiate sports at the NCAA Division II, Division II level of the National ...

. In 2013, she transferred to

Sam Houston State University Sam Houston State University (SHSU or Sam) is a public university in Huntsville, Texas. It was founded in 1879 and is the third-oldest public college or university in Texas. It is one of the first normal schools west of the Mississippi River and ...

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

Professional wrestling career

WWE

Early appearances (2016–2020)

On October 25, 2016, it was reported that González had signed with

and reported to the

WWE Performance Center The WWE Performance Center is the official professional wrestling school system of the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. The promotion currently operates two Performance Center locations, which serve as training facilities for WWE wre ...

. She made her in-ring debut on January 20, 2017, under her birth name at an

live event, where she was unsuccessful winning a 12-woman battle royal. 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, gymnast and athletics-based television personality. She is currently signed with WWE on the NXT brand under the ring name Katana Chance. She competed at ...

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 Human leg, leg. Structure To distribute the compressive for ...

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 Candice LeRae Gargano (''née'' Dawson; born September 29, 1985) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand. She is a former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion and was a member of The Way. LeRa ...

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 NXT TakeOver XXX (originally NXT TakeOver: Boston) was the 30th NXT TakeOver professional wrestling livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event took place on Augus ...

three days later, after Kai lost to Shirai, Rhea Ripley confronted González, beginning a rivalry between the two. González lost to Ripley on October 28 at

Halloween Havoc Halloween Havoc is a professional wrestling event currently produced by WWE for the company's developmental brand, NXT. As the name implies, it is a Halloween-themed show held in October. It was originally produced as an annual pay-per-view (PPV ...

. Kai and González aligned with LeRae and Toni Storm in November, resulting in a WarGames match 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 Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

, 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 Allyssa Lyn "Lacey" Lane (born May 20, 1988) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE under the ring name Kayden Carter, performing on the NXT brand. She is a one-time NXT Women's Tag Team Champion with Katana Chance. Early l ...

in the semi-finals, and Moon and Blackheart at

Vengeance Day NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day was the 33rd NXT TakeOver and ninth Vengeance professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held exclusively for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event ...

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 against champions Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler 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 NXT Women's Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling women's tag team championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It is defended on the NXT brand division, the promotion's developmental territory. The current cha ...

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

. On the May 11 episode of ''NXT'', she made her first successful title defense against Mercedes Martinez. 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 for the first time in her career and ending their alliance. This led to a title match between the two at

NXT TakeOver 36 NXT TakeOver 36 was the 36th and final NXT TakeOver professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was held for wrestlers from the promotion's NXT brand division. The event took place on August 22, 2021, from the ...

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 Toxic Attraction was a professional wrestling stable in WWE on the NXT brand. The group originally consisted of Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, and Jacy Jayne. After Rose was released from her WWE contract in December 2022, Toxic Attraction became a tag ...

( Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin, and

Jacy Jayne Taylor Grado (born June 2, 1996) is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Jacy Jayne as a member of Toxic Attraction. She is a former record-tying two-time NXT Women's Tag Team Cha ...

). The following week, a

Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

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 Brianna Coda (born January 14, 2001) is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to WWE, performing on the NXT brand under the ring name Cora Jade, where she is a former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion. Before signing to WWE, she previous ...

, 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. 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 Shayna 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 becom ...

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 Zhao Xia (; born July 28, 1988) is a Chinese-American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Xia Li ...

in the first round, and Natalya and

Sonya Deville Daria Rae Berenato (born September 24, 1993) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. She is currently signed to WWE where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Sonya Deville. She is also a former on-scree ...

in the semi-finals. On the August 29 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and Aliyah defeated

Damage CTRL Damage Control (stylized as Damage CTRL) is a villainous professional wrestling stable composed of leader Bayley, Dakota Kai, & Iyo Sky currently performing in WWE on the Raw brand. Kai and Sky are the current WWE Women's Tag Team Champions ...

(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 Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

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. She entered her first Royal Rumble match at the titular event on January 28, 2023. She entered at #22 and eliminated Nia Jax, Lacey Evans, and Piper Niven before being eliminated by eventual winner Rhea Ripley. At Night 2 of

WrestleMania 39 WrestleMania 39 (marketed as ''WrestleMania Goes Hollywood'') is the upcoming 39th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It will be held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDo ...

, 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. 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 The 2023 WWE Draft was the 17th WWE Draft produced by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE between their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The two-night event began with the April 28 episode of ''Friday Night SmackDown'' (in Corpu ...

, Rodriguez was drafted to the

. 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, 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 contested at WWE's annual WrestleMania event beginning in 2005, a separate Money in the Bank pay-per-view was established ...

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 Kayleigh Rae (born 11 August 1992), better known as Kay Lee Ray, is a Scottish professional wrestler Professional wrestling is a form of theater that revolves around staged wrestling matches. The mock combat is performed in a ring similar t ...

and

Isla Dawn Courtney Florence Stewart (born 2 February 1994) is a Scottish professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, performs on the NXT brand under the ringname Isla Dawn. Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2013–2016) On 17 Oct ...

in a

unification match Championship unification is the act of combining two or more separate professional wrestling championships into a single title. History In professional wrestling, championships may be unified to consolidate the number of championships in a give ...

, 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. This win made Rodriguez the most decorated women's tag team champion in WWE's history, having five reigns between both the WWE and NXT Women's Tag Team Championships. On the July 17 episode of ''Raw'', Rodriguez and Morgan were scheduled to defend their titles against

and Chelsea Green, but Rhea Ripley attacked Rodriguez and Morgan before the match, causing Rodriguez to substain 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.

Championship quest (2023–present)

After her return on the August 21, 2023 episode of ''Raw,'' Rodriguez unsuccessfully challenged Ripley for the Women's World Championship at

Payback Payback may refer to: * Revenge, a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance Payback may also refer to: Art, entertainment, and media Fictional entities * Payback, a member of the fictional comics superhero team Shadow ...

. On the September 11 episode of ''Raw,'' Rodriguez again failed to win the title from Ripley in a rematch after interference from the returning Nia Jax. At Crown Jewel, Rodriguez once again failed to win the title from Ripley in a

fatal five-way match Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or " gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...

also involving Jax, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, with Ripley pinning Baszler to retain the title. On January 2, 2024, Rodriguez revealed she was diagnosed with

mast cell activation syndrome Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a type of mast cell activation disorder (MCAD), and is an immunological condition in which mast cells inappropriately and excessively release chemical mediators, resulting in a range of chronic symptoms, ...

, which has resulted in her being absent from in-ring competition.

Professional wrestling style

During her time in

, González performed a one-arm powerbomb 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 was in a relationship with fellow professional wrestler Braun Strowman.

Championships and accomplishments

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

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

'' in 2021 *

** WWE Women's Tag Team Championship ( 3 times) – with

(1) and Liv Morgan (2) ** 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) The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling women's tag team championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE. It is the only women's tag team championship for WWE's main roster, thus is defended across bo ...

– with Aliyah **

Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic is an annual professional wrestling tag team tournament held by the American promotion WWE, and is featured on its NXT brand, having first been established in 2015. In subsequent years, wrestlers from the NXT UK an ...

(

2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

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

References

Notes

External links

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