Raquel Gonzalez Debuts On WWE SmackDown, Changes Name
Another debut, another new name
Former NXT Women's champion Raquel Gonzalez debuted on Friday's edition of WWE SmackDown, with a slightly modified name.
Appearing in a backstage interview segment with Kayla Braxton, Gonzalez's new name was revealed to be Raquel Rodriguez.
In the segment, Rodriguez was interrupted by Angel and Humberto of Los Lotharios, whom she quickly brushed off.
Under the Gonzalez name, Rodriguez reigned as NXT Women's champion for 202 days, defeating Io Shirai at 2021's Stand and Deliver, and holding it all the way until last October 26, when she lost it to Mandy Rose at Halloween Havoc.
Rodriguez was also a two-time NXT Women's Tag Team champion with Dakota Kai, last winning the belts from Gigi Dolin and Jacey Jane at this past Saturday's Stand and Deliver, before losing them back to Dolin and Jane on Tuesday's NXT.
Rodriguez isn't the only NXT talent to debut on Friday's SmackDown with a modified name. The former Marcel Barthel appeared in the corner of an also-debuting Gunther on Friday's card, with Barthel having his name changed to Ludwig Kaiser.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.
