Why Raquel Rodriquez Has Absolutely Failed On WWE's Main Roster

Highlights

• Raquel Rodriguez's main roster run in WWE has been disappointing and underwhelming, despite her successful tenure in NXT as a dominant champion.
• One of the key reasons for her struggles is the lack of a well-defined and engaging gimmick or character that sets her apart from other athletically gifted performers.
• To save her career, WWE needs to focus on developing a compelling backstory for Rodriguez's character, improving her promo skills, and making her more relatable and emotionally engaging to the audience.

In April 2022, the WWE Universe eagerly awaited the main roster debut of Raquel Rodriguez, formerly known as Raquel Gonzalez. Having dominated NXT with a reign as the NXT Women's Champion and a reputation for sheer strength and athleticism, her transition to the main roster was greeted with soaring expectations. Rodriguez's main roster journey, spanning just over a year and a half, has been anything but triumphant. What followed was a puzzling and disheartening series of events that left both fans and industry pundits scratching their heads in disbelief. Is there a way to redeem her, and if yes then how can it be done?

A Lackluster Main Roster Run For Raquel Rodriguez

As a multi-time champion in NXT, Rodriguez had established herself as a dominant force in the women's division, which naturally led fans to expect big things from her transition to Raw or SmackDown. However, her journey on the main roster has not lived up to these lofty expectations. Despite her strong start in NXT, her accomplishments since moving to the main roster have been underwhelming. Her most notable achievements have been winning the women's tag team titles. While these titles are mostly considered to be cursed, they are also often seen as a stepping stone or a secondary goal compared to the singles championships. Rodriguez first won the women's tag team titles with Aliyah, and later with Liv Morgan. These victories did little to elevate her career or establish her as a top-tier competitor on the main roster.

What's particularly frustrating for fans is that Rodriguez had the opportunity to face some of the biggest stars in WWE, including Rhea Ripley, Ronda Rousey, and Trish Stratus. These matchups should have been opportunities for her to shine and solidify her position as a top talent. However, despite these high-profile encounters, Rodriguez has failed to gain significant traction among WWE fans. This lack of momentum and memorable moments in her main roster run has left many wondering what went wrong. It's not a question of talent or potential; Rodriguez has both in abundance.

RELATED: Raquel Gonzalez: Age, Height, Relationship Status & Other Things You Didn’t Know About Her

Raquel Rodriguez Is Missing A Gimmick

One of the critical aspects of success in WWE is the development of a captivating and memorable character or gimmick. In Raquel Rodriguez's case, her main roster struggles can be attributed to the absence of a well-defined and engaging gimmick. Rodriguez's initial identity primarily revolved around her remarkable physicality and strength. Her entrance, where she flexes her back muscles, became her trademark, but it wasn't enough to sustain a meaningful character. In a roster filled with athletically gifted performers, simply relying on physical prowess doesn't set her apart. WWE fans expect more depth and complexity in character development.

Furthermore, Rodriguez's portrayal as a generic babyface, a heroic and virtuous character, has been uninspiring. Being a babyface alone doesn't make a wrestler relatable or endearing to the audience. Successful babyface characters often have relatable qualities, compelling backstories, or unique quirks that make them stand out. Unfortunately, Rodriguez's character doesn't have these defining elements. Another aspect that has contributed to her struggles is her inability to deliver compelling promos. In WWE, effective microphone skills are crucial for building a connection with the audience. Rodriguez's promos have often come across as generic and lacking the charisma and storytelling prowess required to engage fans emotionally. Without engaging promos, it's challenging for fans to invest in her character beyond her in-ring abilities.

The culmination of these issues has been reflected in the outcomes of her matches. Continuous losses in key matches, such as losing the women's tag team titles and failing to secure opportunities like the Money in the Bank match, and now losing the World Women's Championship match to Rhea Ripley, have eroded her momentum.

RELATED: Is Raquel Rodriquez Miscast As A Babyface On WWE's Roster?

How Can WWE Save Raquel Rodriguez?

Crafting a backstory or origin story for Rodriguez's character can add depth and intrigue. This backstory could explain her motivations, values, and what drives her in the world of professional wrestling. Is she a determined underdog, a passionate advocate for something, or a warrior seeking redemption? Define specific character traits that make Rodriguez unique. This could include her demeanor, mannerisms, and even quirks that set her apart from the rest of the roster. These traits should be consistent and noticeable in every aspect of her performance, from her entrance to her in-ring actions.

Raquel Rodriguez's promo skills need improvement to connect with the audience and convey her character's personality and motivations. Whether it's through heartfelt speeches, fiery passion, or relatable struggles, the goal is to make fans care about her character on a personal level. In conclusion, the key to redeeming Raquel Rodriguez's main roster career lies in character development and improving her promo skills. WWE must invest time and effort in shaping a character with depth and relatability while providing the necessary resources for her to become a compelling storyteller both inside and outside the ring.