Report: Raquel Rodriguez Almost Missed Elimination Chamber 2024 Due To Medical Condition

Raquel Rodriguez returned to in-ring competition on “WWE Raw” last week to qualify for the women’s Elimination Chamber match. However, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest “Wrestling Observer Radio,” the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion almost missed out on competing inside the steel structure in Perth, Australia. 

Rodriguez, who has been open about her battle with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, unfortunately, suffered a flare-up during the flight across to Australia which put her appearance in the match in doubt. That led to it becoming touch-and-go for her being able to work the premium live event, especially since she missed the practice match that the ladies did once they were all in the country. 

Fortunately, Rodriguez was able to compete on the night and she did end up being part of the match that was eventually won by Becky Lynch. Rodriguez went with a make-up-free look for that match, which was due to the flare-up she was dealing with. She took to social media to release a statement about that and admitted she was proud that she was able to go out and perform, revealing her face was the same color as her satin-pink pillow case at one point.

Rodriguez had previously shared an emotional video that recounted her journey with the condition to this point, showcasing the hives and swelling that she has been having to battle with during her time away from WWE. The “Raw” Superstar was open about the fact that her journey is still far from over, as this past weekend highlighted, but she revealed that she’s got a fantastic support system.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Read: All The Alleged Vince McMahon Text Messages In Janel Grant’s WWE Lawsuit – (WARNING Contains Graphic Details)

The following article contains graphic accounts of physical abuse and sexual assault, as well as sexually explicit language throughout.

WWE was rocked in January as Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against the company, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis under allegations of gross sexual misconduct. The complaint detailed graphic accounts of McMahon and Laurinaitis partaking in systemic exploitation of Ms. Grant, with alleged texts reflecting McMahon objectifying and degrading her, sometimes even as a bargaining chip in negotiations. Wrestling Inc. has read through the entirety of Janel Grant’s complaint, and what follows is a collation of those alleged text messages from McMahon in a chronological timeline.  

In Exhibit 63 of the complaint, it’s alleged that on April 1, 2019 — before her eventual hiring by WWE — Grant texted McMahon about a meeting she had with an unnamed corporate officer earlier in the day, during which she remarked on his signature T-Rex skull on his office wall. McMahon is alleged to have responded, “[sic] btw if Ur a BAD girl the T-rex will eat U.” “Seriously Janel wherever U land in WWE U will be a credit to the organization.” 

In Exhibits 72-77, it’s recalled that Grant visited McMahon at his condo on May 5, 2019; during this time, he allegedly made several sexual advances despite Grant making clear she felt uncomfortable with his actions. She had tried to talk to him about the product’s ongoing storylines, to which he suggested she watch “WWE Raw” and text him before the show. When she agreed, McMahon is alleged to have forcibly kissed her and attempted to undress her, spurring Grant to make an abrupt exit.

Vince McMahon allegedly filled Janel Grant’s inbox after starting with WWE

Exhibit 78 describes a subsequent text exchange between Janel Grant and Vince McMahon on the day of “Raw” as per McMahon’s suggestion. The complaint says Grant was shocked when McMahon appeared on the show and texted back in the middle of the live broadcast, noting that it was a nice message to receive.

The company hired Janel Grant in June 2019, and by this stage, it’s detailed how Grant engaged in sexual acts with McMahon under duress while her role was being finalized. She alleges that she attempted to break off their physical relationship after gaining employment, but McMahon insisted to the contrary and ignored her refusal to consent. 

In Exhibit 96, Grant said she was surprised that she hadn’t had much work assigned to her, especially in comparison to her colleagues, who had complained about having too much. Rather, she said her inbox was only filled with controlling and sexual text messages from McMahon. In Exhibit 106, it’s stated that by the summer of 2019, Grant’s life had been consumed by McMahon’s presence. Within the office, she said she felt under surveillance as his allies surrounded her. Outside of the office, McMahon’s interactions with her were mostly of a sexual nature. He is described to have reduced his communication with her outside of sexting and fantasy talk, and any non-sexual texts related to life and/or work were either ignored or given short responses. 

Sharing explicit content with a WWE referee

Exhibit 123 details Vince McMahon sending a message to Janel Grant, noting that he had been informed by a corporate officer that rumors were circulating about them on February 3, 2020. He said these rumors weren’t good for either of them, and she was temporarily relocated to the XFL’s workforce. Grant attempted to switch to XFL permanently, seeking an exit from her position with WWE, but McMahon denied her request. In Exhibit 126, it’s alleged that McMahon started to share explicit images of Grant with people, despite imploring her to remain quiet on the matter previously.

In Exhibit 127, it’s noted that McMahon allegedly texted Grant on March 26, 2020, describing in detail the circumstances surrounding him sharing the explicit images with a former WWE referee. McMahon described how said referee left to masturbate and told Grant that she’s made him happy. Meanwhile, Exhibit 129 details messages from March 30, 2020, in which McMahon told her that the referee had shown an explicit image of her to their friend, marking the beginning of him allegedly sharing images without her consent and encouraging others to spread them around.

Vince McMahon shares a detailed fantasy

Janel Grant is later described as having expressed concerns over the sharing of images with people she did not know, especially as they were explicit and showed her face. She asked Vince McMahon to convey that she had no intention of engaging in sexual acts with these people. However, Exhibit 133 onward describes a harrowing tale of Grant being coerced into a threesome with an associate of McMahon’s, referred to as a physical therapist from Alternative Clinic. As shown in Exhibit 138, McMahon allegedly detailed his fantasies of seeing her engaged in sexual relations. 

“I LOVE it. That’s U Janel. U just can’t get enough can U? In the future it’s going to B so bad that you’ll demand to B fed twice a day and not just with [redacted] in a three way. Why not let others see the beautiful voluptuous body and watch U shake uncontrollably when U Cm. They’ll go out of their minds. Then I’ll find more friends and we’ll tie U up so Ur helpless. I’ll direct them to have their way any way they want! Who can make U [scream] the loudest!!! Maybe I’ll just line them up and have [them] squirt in Ur mouth, Ur py all over your ts and a all at the same time. You’ll B covered in cm and we’ll make U eat it all and taste everybody’s c*m. The next morning you’ll B a little sore but Ur still going to want more…”

These weren’t the only texts of this nature either. Afterward, it’s alleged that McMahon’s messages to Grant became even more sexually charged and highlighted similar fantasies of trafficking her among other WWE employees.

Texts that portray Janel Grant as subservient

Exhibit 142 describes Vince McMahon becoming more sadistic, with his fantasies focused on control and scenarios in which Janel Grant would be overwhelmed and subservient in group settings. 

“[Regarding] ur last picture. U need Ur panties ripped off and 3 BIG BLACK DS in ALL 3 holes at the same time!!! Way up ur py and way up ur a** as far as they will go but even farther. And the thickest ck goes down Ur throat so it makes U gag and convulse as those big black cks pound away it feels like from the start Ur being assaulted but it’s made U cm nonstop. Just one continuous orgasm and just before U pass out those big black dks squirt their loads of cm inside U! As U lay on ur stomach the c*m is coming out of all Ur holes, I’ll turn U over and jack off all over U.”

In Exhibit 143, it’s alleged that on one occasion, McMahon instructed Grant not to knock on his door, saying that he’d rape her in the hallway if he saw her. Exhibit 144 then details how McMahon is alleged to have texted about owning and controlling her, continuing to be sexually depraved in his messages. According to Exhibit 145, he ignored her when she mentioned her work anniversary with WWE. The next message detailed in the complaint reflects McMahon’s alleged bragging over the sharing of explicit imagery of Grant with other men, noting that they all wanted to engage in sexual relations with her.

A fantasy involving WWE’s tech crew

The complaint also notes that Vince McMahon openly shared explicit images and salacious stories about Janel Grant with WWE crew members at TV tapings. McMahon allegedly referred to this group as her “fan club,” and sent her a text in which he admitted to showing her photos to the staffers, before highlighting his fantasy to traffic Grant to each of them.

“I just passed my phone around to a bunch of guys on the tech crew. They were screaming!! ‘OMG’. ‘She’s fing beautiful’. ‘Look at that a‘. ‘I’d like to get that’. I paused to count out loud how many guys there were, 12. I then said ‘OK there’s 12 of U and she would love to f each and every one of U at one time’, (the guys cheered), ‘But she will only do it if she takes 3 at the time!’ (that brought a huge reaction) ‘She wants one deep in her a, one way down her throat and one in her p*y and U can pound her and keep on pounding her till U pop Ur load. She may scream and say NO!! Although it would B difficult to say anything with a ck down her throat,’ (they laughed), I then said ‘listen no matter what just pound away until U squirt!'”

The rest of the text details how McMahon told Grant that the crew was driven wild by his stories of her sexual abilities, coupled with his fantasy to share her with them in a group scenario. He concluded by telling her to imagine the fantasy actually happening.

Trafficking Janel Grant to John Laurinaitis and others

John Laurinaitis is named in the complaint within Exhibit 152 as another third party with whom Vince McMahon is alleged to have forced Janel Grant to enter into a sexual relationship. McMahon is alleged to have facilitated explicit image exchanges between them, including telling Grant when to create them, what to say, and providing her notes to adjust her performance. Following a three-way encounter involving McMahon, Laurinaitis, and Grant, McMahon allegedly texted her that Laurinaitis had hugged him like a bear and thanked him a dozen times for setting up the encounter. On February 5, 2021, as described in Exhibit 158, McMahon wanted Grant to establish a schedule for when other men could engage in relations with her.

“[Redacted] called me this afternoon begging to eat U and f* U with his nice (hard) dk,” to which Janel Grant is shown to reply, “Give me another week baby and I’ll be ready. I’m feeling more like myself. It’s not great but it’s getting better. Tell him soon!!!!.” To this, McMahon replied, “I already told him baby. [By the way, John Laurinaitis] wants Tuesdays but not this coming one and the occasional Saturday but maybe I can shift it to Thursday nights?? ([Laurinaitis] would like ALL of the above).”

Exhibit 168 continues to describe McMahon’s reinforcement that Grant was expected to sexually perform for him and Laurinaitis. On March 22, he wrote, “Do U promise to make me proud Baby? Will U show him what a prno star u can be? Will U show off for me like never before????,” and, “On days when he’s in town, I want him to f** U every morning and later in the office too.”

Telling Janel Grant to obey John Laurinaitis

Per Exhibit 169, Vince McMahon indicated on April 2, 2021, that Janel Grant should obey if John Laurinaitis wanted to bring in more men during their sexual encounters. Furthermore, McMahon suggested that she try out other men with Laurinaitis before introducing them to him, believing it would make them feel more comfortable.

The complaint continues to describe the trauma that Grant had endured at the hands of McMahon and Laurinaitis, as well as executives who enabled and ignored the malpractice. Exhibit 179 displays another alleged message from McMahon to Grant, “Those compliments will keep on coming baby. Just wait and see. I totally understand and agree [regarding] being scared of communication and photos. [Laurinaitis] gets drunk and sloppy and could easily make a mistake that could cost him his job and Urs too. Verbal communication is the way to go. That said, have U and [Laurinaitis] talked about breakfast tomorrow?”

The rest of the text details Grant’s response to McMahon, revealing that she hadn’t scheduled a meeting with John Laurinaitis as he complained about a new phone. She then noted that she wanted reassurance that he’d erased everything, and told McMahon that it wasn’t worth the stress she’d been feeling regarding her and Laurinaitis’ communications.

Janel Grant’s Involvement in Negotiations with a WWE Superstar

After further horrific accounts of Vince McMahon violently sexually assaulting Janel Grant, coupled with continued attempts to solicit her to his associates, Exhibit 196 describes him texting a reminder that she was his slave. The next Exhibit alleges that McMahon continued to advertise a sexual encounter between Grant and a WWE Superstar in active negotiations with the company at the time, writing, “Here’s what [Redacted] said after I told him that part of the deal was f*ing U, ‘Lol, that’s your turf!! She will be ruined after me and leave your a! Plus after me your tool won’t fit anymore!!'”

Brock Lesnar was identified as the WWE Superstar described in the lawsuit. It’s alleged that McMahon ordered Grant to create personalized sexual content for the former UFC fighter, and a rendezvous had even been scheduled. However, plans fell through after Grant made excuses to back out. In 2022, McMahon was alleged to have abruptly distanced himself from Grant due to his wife, Linda McMahon, discovering their relationship and threatening him with a public divorce. Thus, McMahon allegedly pushed a non-disclosure agreement with Grant as the best way forward for all involved. 

On January 24, 2022, while talks of an NDA were ongoing, McMahon allegedly continued to engage in sexual text message exchanges with Grant, as described in Exhibit 213, including encouraging her to send an explicit image to the WWE Superstar and requesting that she send him the content she had sent to him. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/24/2024 (Results)

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kabuki Warriors (c) def. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae
  • WWE Women’s World Championship – #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match: Becky Lynch def. Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi and Raquel Rodriguez.
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Balor) (c) def. New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne)
  • Grayson Waller Effect w/ Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins – Rhodes asks if there are any Cody crybabies in the building, and the WWE Universe erupts. Rhodes says to be the People’s Champ, you have to actually be around the people. Rhodes then says he has an announcement himself. Until WrestleMania 40 he is wide open, so he says he wants to wrestle The Rock one-on-one, anytime, any place. Rollins then says he won’t be fighting that battle alone. Theory then starts doing a few of The Rock’s catchphrases, but Rollins then attacks him and launches him into one of Waller’s signs as Rhodes hits the Cody Cutter, and Rollins follows it with a Stomp. 
  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship – #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre def. Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley, LA Knight, Kevin Owens and Logan Paul. – AJ Styles interfered in the match, unloads on Knight with a steel chair and dropping him with a Styles Clash onto the weapon, which allows McIntyre to get rid of him. – Orton eliminated Paul. Orton then hits a draped DDT to McIntyre. Orton then suffers with his back, but then he pops up and catches McIntyre with an RKO! He seemingly has it won, but Paul re-enters the match and knocks out Orton with the brass knuckles, which McIntyre takes advantage of and eliminates Orton for the win.
  • Triple H thanks the Australian fans on behalf of WWE, announces Elimination Chamber’s Attendance as 52,590 fans.
  • WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) def. Nia Jax.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/24/2024 (Card)

WWE LPE Elimination Chamber – Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 4 a.m. ET (kickoff), 5 p.m. ET (main show) – Optus Stadium in Burswood, Perth, Western Australia

Australian Western Standard Time: 6:00 PM
Eastern Standard Time: 5:00 AM
Central Standard Time: 4:00 AM
Mountain Standard Time: 3:00 AM
Pacific Standard Time: 2:00 AM
Hawaiian Standard Time: 12:00 AM

CARD

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR A WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA XL
Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul

UNDISPUTED WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate

ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH FOR A WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA XL:
Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax

GRAYSON WALLER EFFECT
with Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/23/2024

WWE SmackDown will air tonight on FOX, taped last from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Liv Morgan
  • Bron Breakker vs. Dante Chen
  • New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) vs. The Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh
  • Authors of Pain (Akam and Rezar) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
  • LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre
  • The Bloodline to appear

Raquel Rodriguez Shares Emotional Clip Chronicling Medical Condition (Video)

After appearing on WWE television for the first time since late November on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” Raquel Rodriguez earned her way into the Women’s Elimination Chamber match in Perth, Australia this weekend. Her road to this return, as she shared on X, looks to have been far more difficult than perhaps many had thought. Rodriguez made it known last year that she was battling eczema for some time, but after it worsened, she was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a condition that presents the symptoms of anaphylaxis such as the hives and swelling that she has been experiencing all over her body, as she shared on her Instagram account.

“The journey is far from over,” Rodriguez tweeted. “I finally got some answers as to what caused this but it’s going to be a while til I can get it fully under control. I know one thing. I’m blessed to have an amazing support system. Family, friends, I love you all. Keep pushing through the pain!”

In the video accompanying the tweet, which is set to a Spanish cover of James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful,” Rodriguez can be seen in various stages of flare-ups of her condition, clearly in pain, and very emotional at times throughout. It is commendable that she would present herself in this vulnerable state, as her message of positivity could very well help others going through something similar. Rodriguez, a former “WWE NXT” Women’s Champion, two-time “NXT” Women’s Tag Team Champion, and three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, looks to earn a title shot at Elimination Chamber on Saturday, facing Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi in one of the event’s namesake matches.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Star Shotzi Confirms Severity Of NXT Knee Injury, Offers Possible Return Timeline

With the WWE crew heading overseas for Elimination Chamber this week, the company pre-taped this week’s episodes of “WWE NXT” and “WWE SmackDown” last Tuesday and Friday, respectively. As a part of the second taping for “NXT,” “SmackDown” star Shotzi was slated to challenge Lyra Valkyria for the “NXT” Women’s Championship. Unfortunately for Shotzi, her title pursuit would be cut short, as she sustained a knee injury in the midst of the action.

Following the news of her injury, Shotzi confirmed the severity of it in a lengthy Instagram post, in which she can be seen lying in a hospital bed. “I tore my ACL which means I will be out of action for about nine months,” Shotzi wrote. “Thank you to everyone who has checked up on me. I am so sorry if I haven’t responded. I am just extremely devastated and angry. Some of you know, I have been through a lot the last few years and it has been so hard to keep up with what I think is expected of me and honestly my mental health had been at an all-time low. But I’ve pushed through, and I was feeling motivated and like myself again. I was hoping to go to NXT to prove myself again, earn some respect, build back my confidence, and start putting the heartache from the past two years behind me.”

While she may feel defeated right now, Shotzi noted that the setback has also sparked a greater sense of motivation. As she now looks ahead at her recovery journey, Shotzi intends to utilize her time off the road as an outlet to not only grow physically stronger, but mentally as well.

Following her title shot against Valkyria, Shotzi was scheduled to battle Tiffany Stratton in a Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match on last week’s episode of “SmackDown.” Due to her injury, though, Shotzi would be unable to compete, prompting WWE to name Zelina Vega (who was previously set to face Naomi) in her place, while Naomi took on Alba Fyre instead.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Chase U Wins Tag Title Shot On WWE NXT, Get Attacked By The Good Brothers

A week after winning the “WWE NXT” Tag Team Championships, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin have officially found themselves a pair of challengers.

During tonight’s episode of “NXT,” Breaker and Corbin took a moment to relish in their recent title win. Before they could properly celebrate, though, the duo were interrupted by Chase U’s Andre Chase and Duke Hudson as well as Nathan Frazer and Axiom – who each staked their claim for a shot at the “NXT” Tag Team Championships. After hearing the pitches of both teams, “NXT” General Manager Ava announced that they would collide in a number one contenders match later in the show.

With a tag team title shot on the line, each team feverishly fought to secure the win. In the end, though, it was Chase U who emerged victorious after Andre Chase caught Frazer with a three-count pinfall to guarantee themselves a future shot at the “NXT” Tag Team Championships. After the match, Hudson, Chase, Frazer, and Axiom were greeted with an ambush at the hands of “WWE SmackDown” stars Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows (together known as The Good Brothers). Riley Osborne, who accompanied Chase U to the ring, was also on the receiving end of The Good Brothers’ surprise beatdown. 

Tonight marks Anderson and Gallows’ first “NXT” appearance since October 2022, when they, along with Cameron Grimes, defeated Schism (Jagger Reid, Joe Gacy & Rip Fowler) in a six-man tag team competition.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former WWE Star Paul Roma Alludes To More Severe Allegations Against Company Executives

The last several years have seen various allegations against Vince McMahon and WWE come to light, with the former CEO accused of a wide range of sexual misconduct. Last month, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a civil lawsuit against the company, McMahon, and former executive John Laurinaitis that features allegations of sex trafficking and rape. According to former WWE performer Paul Roma while speaking to NewsNation, there are even more insidious stories that haven’t yet been told publicly.

Roma declined to go into specifics of one specific story that Roma agreed was “even worse” than the Grant allegations but stated that he and fellow WWE alum Mario Mancini had recently spoken about the matter. Both men were surprised the story hadn’t been made public yet but also understood why someone might be reluctant to dredge up old wounds on such an open stage. Additionally, when asked if the recent allegations against McMahon sounded like the version of McMahon that he knew, Roma confirmed that it did.

“It was pretty regular,” Roma said, referring to tales of McMahon’s inappropriate actions. “You heard it on a regular basis, for the most part. Then you wouldn’t hear it for a while, then it would come full circle.”

In addition to allegations involving McMahon himself, Roma stated that other WWE executives leveraged the careers of performers in exchange for sex. If Roma’s allegations are true, it’s a pattern of behavior that is also reflected in Grant’s lawsuit. The former WWE star recalled some former professional wrestlers who quit the business rather than give in to the demands of company executives.

Roma regularly performed in WWE (then known as the WWF) from 1984 to 1991. Through part of that time, Roma was in a tag team called the Young Stallions with a wrestler named Jim Powers, whom Roma now says was propositioned by someone in the company.

“He said he went to one of the agents and told them what had happened,” Roma stated. “And I said, ‘Why would you do that? You just ratted on both of us.’ So he kind of threw us both under the bus just starting out.”

Powers shared what had happened with a WWE producer Roma refers to as “Arnold,” with Roma making it clear he thought that would be the end of their push as a tag team, under the assumption that the producer would go back and tell the executives that Powers had said something. Roma did not elaborate on when this incident occurred or whether it had any effect on how the team was presented after that.

The retired wrestler was also asked to clarify whether or not he was certain that the ones attempting to proposition performers were executives within WWE. According to Roma, the people in positions of power within the company are the only ones who could have the leverage to make the types of threats that were being made.

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to NewsNation

WWE NXT Preview 2/20/24

Tonight’s WWE NXT on USA Network, taped last week at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Shotzi
  • NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Lexis King
  • Josh Briggs vs. Brooks Jensen
  • Roxanne Perez vs. Wren Sinclair
  • NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes face-to-face