Stephanie Vaquer, the reigning WWE NXT Women’s Champion, is all set to defend her title against Jordynne Grace at WWE NXT Battleground on May 25. While fans are gearing up for the high-stakes clash, many have been curious about another aspect of the wrestler – her striking face paint. Often seen adorning the side of her face with a golden pattern, Vaquer’s look is more than just for show – it tells a deeply personal story.
Inspired by ancient Japanese art and personal pain
The Chilean-born wrestler recently revealed that her signature face paint is inspired by the traditional Japanese art form of Kintsugi. In an interview with WrestleZone, Vaquer explained that Kintsugi, which translates to “golden repair,” is a practice where broken pottery is mended using gold or silver. The idea is not to hide imperfections, but to highlight them, embracing flaws as part of an object’s unique history.
For Vaquer, the symbolism is especially meaningful. Early in her wrestling career, she suffered a facial fracture in just her second professional match. Instead of letting that injury define her negatively, she turned it into a source of strength. The paint that now runs down her face represents the fracture – and more importantly, the healing that followed. It is a daily reminder of the pain she endured and the resilience that carried her through.Known in the wrestling world as “The Dark Angel,” Vaquer has made a significant impact in a short time since joining WWE. Prior to her NXT debut, she carved her path across global promotions like NJPW, Stardom, AEW, and Mexico’s CMLL. In WWE, she made history by becoming the first South American woman to win a title, and even held both the NXT Women’s and NXT North American titles simultaneously – a rare feat.Vaquer has spoken passionately about representing the NXT women’s division, calling it the “best women’s division on the planet.” She credits her journey through hardship, including sleeping on kitchen floors and enduring harsh conditions – as essential to shaping the fighter she is today.As Vaquer prepares to face Jordynne Grace this Sunday, speculation is swirling that she might soon be headed to the main WWE roster. If she drops the title, many believe it will mark her transition to either Raw or SmackDown.Whether or not that happens, one thing is certain – Stephanie Vaquer’s journey, like her face paint, is a story of strength forged through struggle.
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