Stephanie Vaquer has sustained a legitimate injury following an attack on Monday’s Raw, with Bryan Alvarez confirming the shoulder issue is real.
Vaquer was taken out backstage by Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez during the show, with Perez ramming an equipment box into her shoulder. Michael Cole subsequently announced on commentary that Vaquer had sustained a second-degree AC sprain and would be out for a period of time.
Alvarez confirmed the injury is legitimate and is likely the same sprain referenced by Cole during the broadcast. The exact origin of the injury remains unclear, as it is not confirmed whether it was first sustained during the Raw attack or earlier.
Vaquer last competed at WrestleMania 42 on Night One, where she lost the Women’s World Championship to Liv Morgan. Her injury now sidelines her from a title picture she had been central to heading into the post-WrestleMania season.
Tama Tonga’s absence from SmackDown last Friday raised questions about his status, but Bryan Alvarez has provided a straightforward explanation.
Tonga has been out of action since the April 17 SmackDown, where he appeared in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. His absence from last Friday’s show prompted speculation about a potential release given the wave of roster cuts that took place that same day, compounded by the fact that he was not mentioned on the broadcast at all.
Alvarez confirmed that Tonga is dealing with an undisclosed injury and has not been released, with the expectation that he will be back in action fairly soon.