This past week on The Wrestling Inc. Daily, Nick Hausman sat down with former NXT Women’s Champion Raquel Gonzalez. She opened up about her relationship with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and the other women in NXT. As a veteran, she discussed the difference between walking into WarGames this year versus last year. She said, “I feel like I am 100% the most confident I have ever been walking into a War Games match, even though it’s my second match.”
She complimented her team from last year, showing her guidance through the match and leading to a team victory. She mentioned working with Candice LeRae, Toni Storm, and Dakota Kai, gaining their knowledge along the way. Getting that big win over Io Shirai gave Gonzalez the momentum to win her first NXT Women’s Championship.
She discussed her teammates for this year, feeling like a leader amongst leaders. She talked about the excitement she feels working with such a stacked team. She spoke on the fantastic talent of longest-reigning NXT UK Women’s Champion, Kay Lee Ray, while reminding fans that anything is possible when former NXT Women’s Champion, Io Shirai, is involved. She commends Cora Jade, displaying heart and passion while wanting to “show her the ways of the WarGames.”
She was asked about how she felt about the theme for WarGames this year, having the new generation clashing with the old. “It’s exciting because you know like change is good- it’s good to get fresh blood in the ring.” She continued to talk about the unexpected once the new talent and old generation clash in the double caged ring and how mixed the women’s side is versus the men. She discussed the pressure of the new talent coming in and becoming an OG of NXT.
She explained about never getting comfortable even as a champion and keeping pressure on herself to make herself into a diamond. She went on to talk about the absence of Triple H, missing him being there on those important Tuesday nights and pay-per-view moments like WarGames. She jokes about him and Shawn Michaels being like the peanut butter of NXT while commending their team at NXT in the way they have stepped up amongst the absence.
She ends by giving the fans her dream matches outside of NXT. WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, and WWE Raw Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch are at the top of that list. She discussed the inspiration she felt watching her dear friend and former NXT Women’s Champion, Rhea Ripley, get the opportunity with Flair at WrestleMania. As she awaits her chance at the OG Four Horsewomen, Gonzalez has no plans to end her domination anytime soon.
Be sure to check out the full interview by Nick Hausman exclusively on The Wrestling Inc. Daily
My top 5 Raquel Gonzalez NXT matches are available now exclusively on Women’s Wrestling Talk. Panel for this top 5 will take place on December 13th at 8 PM CST streaming live on all Women’s Wrestling Talk platforms.
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