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00:00The
00:29reaction to La Primera says it all. Stephanie McCurr has taken WWE by storm. Pat, she debuted
00:40in WWE July of 2024, just over a year ago. Tonight, an opportunity to win a Women's World
00:48Championship. A lot of humans on earth knew her before she got here. Everybody on earth
00:53knew her immediately upon arrival. All she does is win, and she captivates the entire
00:59WWE Universe from the jump. Absolutely stunning. First 12 months under the WWE umbrella, winning
01:09two titles in NXT, rapidly graduating out of there and forcing her way into the world title
01:17bracket within months of being acquired by Raw. This woman is the real deal, and tonight could
01:24be her biggest moment so far. She won the Battle Royal back in July at Evolution to earn
01:31this opportunity for the Women's World title tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, again, it is
01:35just an honor and a privilege to be here tonight on ESPN. Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, and of
01:40course. Welcome back. Pat McAfee. Great to be here. Huge night. Historic night. WWE, ESPN,
01:46Wrestle Palooza. Lucky to be here. Hey, our Spanish colleagues are here as well. Marcelo Rodriguez and
01:50Jerry Soto. Good morning, amigos. Gracias, familia. We're here again in this
01:53meeting in Spanish that belongs to all of you to make a little bit more of history. Of course,
01:57if we make history together. Wrestle Palooza. Oh, that sounds better than what we say for
02:03sure. Try it. Try that. Capacito time. Wrestle Palooza. Not bad. Sí. Muchos gracias, amigos.
02:11All right. Tried to learn more Spanish. This is Tyrese Halliburton's favorite wrestler. Well,
02:32she's mine too because I said it on the countdown show and Tyrese agreed earlier today. I believe
02:37that you are looking at the greatest women's wrestler on the planet today. EO Sky looking
02:44to win back the Women's World Championship. Now, again, we arrived here tonight because Naomi
02:49and her husband Jimmy Uso, well, they're having a baby and Naomi had to relinquish the Women's
02:53World Championship. Vacated it. But she's reminding the world that she's coming back for it sooner
02:58rather than later. So one of these women will become the brand new Women's World Champion.
03:05Yeah, I'm fascinated that you said that EO Sky is the greatest wrestler of planet Earth. I actually
03:13agree with you straight up there with the very best. So much harder for international superstars to
03:20connect without the English language. But your talent is universally understood as EO Sky has proven for
03:27years. On this match at Wrestle Palooza as presented by Old Spice. Experience 24-7 legendary freshness with
03:35Old Spice deodorant and body wash. Let's head up to the ring. And our great Alicia Taylor.
03:51The following contest is scheduled for one fall. And is for the Women's World Championship.
03:58The following contest is scheduled for one fall. And is for the Women's World Championship.
04:16Introducing first, from San Fernando, Chile, Stephanie Vacher!
04:28And her opponent, from Tokyo, Japan!
04:44Japan!
04:45EO Sky!
04:47Both of these women so accomplished on the international stage before coming to WWE, but they never met
05:04inside a wrestling ring. And until they came to this company, they've had a couple of matches
05:10over this year, but none more important, none more prestigious than this one for the vacant Women's World Championship.
05:17Let's tell it as it is right from the back. EO Sky is a heavy favorite in this one. Why? Because she is a proven commodity at this level.
05:26And she's facing off against a woman who we all expect to be at the top of the ladder for at least the next ten years here in WWE. But you don't get to claim that until you've proven it.
05:36And Stephanie Vachera looking for her watershed moment here in WWE, looking to win her first major championship.
05:43And she looks to break this waist lock of EO Sky. EO Sky held the World Championship for 245 days before Naomi cashed in to win the title.
05:55EO Sky is used to the bright lights, used to the marquee. Stephanie Vachera, we all assume to Wade's point that he's going to get there, but it doesn't happen until it happens.
06:04There have been many people over the history of WWE who have been projected to be the top star in the future and did not make it.
06:13I hope that isn't the case with Stephanie Vachera, but we're going to learn a lot tonight against EO Sky.
06:19Tonight could be a part of the documentary, full time, first time becoming world champ. Let's go do this.
06:23But it's a different ball game tonight. You're under the bright lights. It's such a historic night here on ESPN as part of WrestlePalooza.
06:30EO Sky has much more experience than Stephanie does in these big WWE moments. Does that matter?
06:37Does that matter? The whole world's promoting this match, this event, this evening.
06:43Maybe Stephanie's just been waiting for it, maybe they'll win.
06:46It's a match that's been selling itself, belt to belt to the most technical, precise and innovative women we've ever seen fighting out for the biggest prize of all.
06:56But I'm going to be critical of both of them here, especially Vachera. The build to this has all been pleasant and cordial.
07:02Shouldn't have been, if you're the up and comer, you should have rattled the favorite in EO Sky.
07:09You should have taken a cheap shot. You should have thrown EO Sky off her game.
07:12And I don't think Stephanie Vachera took that opportunity when she had the check.
07:16They shook hands before the match, Wade.
07:18And I don't like that at all. That's not how it should be. It's the very top level, Pat. You know it full well. It's dog eat dog.
07:24And EO Sky controlling Stephanie here. Feeling out process really in the early going.
07:31Yeah, well the problem is, these two women are both so dangerous and so skilled, you don't want to make an early mistake and give your opponent the upper hand off the bat.
07:40EO Sky now with a great reversal.
07:43Look at that. Great penny combination by EO. Stephanie into one of her own.
07:48Almost had her. That was close. Referee Eddie Arango right there.
07:53Technical brilliance. And Pat, you like this? You like these smiles?
07:57Yeah, that's respect. You enjoy that?
07:59Yeah, they're sparring a little bit right now. A little bit of one-upmanship going on.
08:03Both of these women can be technical. They can fly high when they need to.
08:08They can be powerful if they need to. Oh! And there's a great example of that.
08:12The curve drops EO on the back of her head and... Nope. EO Sky's not going to allow the devil's kiss to happen.
08:19Went into the cover. Stephanie able to take out the legs.
08:27I'll tell you what. Good joust right now. Yeah, very evenly matched, Pat.
08:35EO's. Oh! The great athleticism of Sky taking Stephanie out of the knee.
08:41And now EO with that drop kick. That basement drop kick to the care.
08:46Sky just looking a little step ahead of the curve.
08:49Perhaps that's the nerves in the less experienced superstar showing early on here.
08:54And all the experience of EO Sky giving her the upper hand.
08:59Yeah, both of these women cut their teeth and became famous in Japan.
09:06Yeah! EO Sky form an ace of stardom.
09:12Stephanie Vaquer actually won the strong women's championship and a victory over the current United States champion over on SmackDown, Julia.
09:20And look at EO Sky now. Cover. Hook of the leg. Kick out by Stephanie.
09:25Balanced handstand into the knees.
09:26And this might be Stephanie Vaquer realizing she's hit a ceiling in her career at this point.
09:33This is a very, very different level to what she's used to.
09:36This is the top level. Does not get any higher. And she's now being schooled by EO Sky.
09:42So wait, do you think there's nerves? 100%. This is a brand new level.
09:46It's the first time competing one-on-one for the championship of the world against, arguably, and many would argue it, the best on planet Earth, male or female.
09:55Pat, how about the first time in your career that you went to the playoffs?
09:58I mean, were there nerves? Were you uptight a little bit?
10:00You never know what the big lights are like until you're there.
10:02Some people are built for it. Some people are not. Stephanie Vaquer, I think, is built for it at the moment.
10:06She's proven that since she has gotten here.
10:09Stephanie Vaquer still has that new car smell about her. You don't quite know the full capacity of her skills, but...
10:16Has a five count here. And will break, but the damage may have been done on the arm of EO Sky by Stephanie Vaquer.
10:23A brief opportunity to turn the tide of Vaquer has taken it. Now to capitalize.
10:30Yeah, the Dark Angel, La Primera.
10:33Super talent.
10:37And the genius of the Sky looked for the sunset flip, and Stephanie...
10:41Breaking the ice.
10:43Great counter, and there's that running leg drop. Cover now to try to win the Women's Championship and a kick out by Sky.
10:49Some welts forming on the hip of EO Sky.
10:52Pounding earlier in this one, and both women signed her, and this is where the gloves perhaps will come off.
10:59Stephanie was involved in the six-moment tag team matchup at NXT homecoming.
11:05Victorious along with Rhea Ripley and Lyra Valkyria.
11:08One, two...
11:09You talk about a night like this for Stephanie her first time in it, you know, everything up until the bell ringing is different.
11:14It's bigger. It's hyped. Everybody's talking about it. It's ESPN. You got billions of dollars in the building sitting ringside.
11:20And then once the bell rings...
11:21Oh, nice suplex.
11:22And you find the water and it's level. That's where Stephanie's at right now. I think she realizes this is another match.
11:27I completely agree with you, Pat. I think the adrenaline is now pumping. It's overtaking the nerves for Vaker.
11:33And now Vaker is starting to move through the gears, and we're seeing the best of her.
11:37And the other thing is, we talk a lot about Vaker, but EO Sky's had a lot on her mind as of late.
11:41The situation between her friend Asuka and Kyrie Sane, of course, that's really weighed on her personally.
11:48I had an opportunity to talk to EO earlier today, and she talked about how that's really been in her head over the past month or so.
11:54I think you're probably right up until the bell rang, and somebody the level of EO Sky has that ability to compartmentalize those issues.
12:03And at the end of the match, she can go back to him, but leave your baggage at the front door if you want to be the best.
12:08Look at this.
12:09Look at this.
12:10It's ruthless.
12:11Vaker punishing the genius of the Sky.
12:15We're really gonna glimpse into the difference between these two great competitors. EO Sky, of course, it's the air game that's a specialty.
12:22It is the ground game and the submissions of Vaker that gives her the edge on the match.
12:28But right now, EO Sky showing all of her range.
12:31And that's putting it perfectly with the range of EO Sky.
12:37She does everything.
12:38Durability and the amount of women she's fought over the years, the varying skill sets of all the women she's defeated.
12:46Oh, and a backbreaker, knee right to the spine.
12:50And EO Sky collapses as well.
12:52Both women are down.
12:54Critical moment in this matchup.
12:56That's the big durability question, isn't it?
13:00Which woman gets up and which woman starts firing back first?
13:04It's a backbreaker there, but EO Sky perhaps spent herself in the process.
13:09Yeah, capacity crowd tonight at Cambridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis over 15,000 for Wrestlepalooza.
13:18WWE's debut on ESPN.
13:21The man to my left here tonight, Pat McAfee, so critical in getting WWE in the forefront on ESPN.
13:30One of the reasons we are here tonight.
13:31So thank you, Pat.
13:32Lucky, thankful to be here, especially with EO Sky and Stephanie Vaquer.
13:36Battling right now.
13:37Oh, and face first goes Stephanie Vaquer.
13:39Again, both these women battling it out for the vacant Women's World Championship.
13:45Talked about that durability.
13:46It really was EO Sky that got back into the firefight quicker than Stephanie Vaquer.
13:51Again, that experience factor of EO Sky coming to the floor.
13:56And now we're going airborne.
13:58Missile dropkick.
13:59The charisma of EO Sky starting to shine.
14:03And Vaquer wisely rolling out of the ring, but when you're in there with EO Sky, nowhere is safe.
14:12EO getting this capacity crowd pumped up.
14:16Suicide dive to Vaquer.
14:22It really does go high risk, puts her own body on the line.
14:28Could have broken a left arm with that landing, but clearly Vaquer ate the worst of it.
14:34Tyrese and 15,000 people on their feet here, showing respect to EO Sky.
14:39You know as well as anyone, Pat McAfee, this is a sports town.
14:43They love their competition, and they are eating this one up.
14:46It's also a wrestling town.
14:48Always has been, always will be.
14:50What a year it's been for Indianapolis, huh?
14:52The Royal Rumble here back in February.
14:54The first ever ESPN premium live event here tonight.
14:58On the way of SummerSlam, and I do believe many more.
15:01We're thankful that the WWE comes here to Indianapolis.
15:05We're lucky to see this match.
15:07Stephanie and EO Sky with a well-placed kick.
15:11And it seems like Stephanie's off just a bit here tonight.
15:14Yeah, it looks like she's running off.
15:15Uh-oh.
15:16Oh my God, clinging off for dear life now.
15:17This could be incredibly ugly for the Chilean.
15:20Hold your tongue.
15:21Yeah, but a great counter by Stephanie as EO went for the sunset flip powerbomb.
15:25And a knee right to Sky.
15:27That wasn't just a counter.
15:29It was a devastating offensive move in return.
15:33But perhaps swings the balance once again in this.
15:36And now leaping off the top rope and a cross body to take out EO Sky.
15:41And what we're seeing out of Stephanie McCarran now is one of the reasons she's called the Dark Angel.
15:45She's got an aggressive side.
15:46She can get very, very vicious when she needs to.
15:49And she's turning it up a notch.
15:51EO Sky a taste of her own medicine that pack.
15:54Stephanie's realizing what it's going to take to become world champion.
15:57And Indianapolis is describing this perfectly.
16:00Again, off the top rope, another cross body.
16:03And that collision really took something out of Sky.
16:07Talked about the range of EO Sky earlier.
16:09Now you're seeing the range of Stephanie McCarran.
16:12But this woman can do it all.
16:14Yeah, great snap, suplex.
16:17Another technical wizard.
16:20Stephanie McCarran.
16:22Absolute assassin in there right now.
16:24Now into the corner, nobody home.
16:26Knee first, bottom turnbuckle.
16:28EO Sky now with a German suplex and releases.
16:32Again for the Women's World Championship.
16:35Now vacant.
16:37But won't be after tonight.
16:39Stephanie McCarran out quick.
16:41The German suplex of her own.
16:45In the ground game, the submission, the technical skills.
16:49Airborne and the power moves.
16:51Both women throwing everything at this.
16:54That evenly matched.
16:55Absolutely.
16:56Both these women worthy of becoming a world champion with how they fought tonight.
17:01Both of them take it to the sky.
17:03Incredibly dangerous game of chess.
17:07Both women going move for move.
17:10And both women now laid out.
17:13Gasping for oxygen.
17:15And what a scene here tonight.
17:18In Indianapolis.
17:20Stephanie McCarran, EO Sky.
17:26Battling it out for the Women's World title.
17:30Is this the pace wave you expected?
17:32At this point in the match, given the amount of offense that both women have absorbed.
17:36I think there's no choice but to be operating at this kind of pace.
17:41But who gets their second win?
17:42The answer, perhaps, Stephanie McCarran.
17:45Maybe not. EO Sky.
17:47Tucks underneath.
17:48Uppercut by Sky.
17:49It's 15th round right now in the World Championship fight.
17:53What about how bad you want?
17:55Oh!
17:56EO Sky meeting right the rope to the huge right.
18:00Now Stephanie with a back suplex.
18:06Who's gonna survive?
18:08Oh.
18:09Oh.
18:10Oh.
18:11Oh.
18:12Again, looking for the Devil's Kiss.
18:13But she got caught.
18:14EO Sky with a stop to the midsection.
18:16Stephanie playing to the crowd just a little bit too much there.
18:19And Sky looking to take advantage and win the title.
18:21Again, there's levels to this.
18:23And what a transition there.
18:25Into a crossface by EO Sky.
18:27Stephanie's center of the ring.
18:28Is she gonna tap?
18:29Stephanie McCarran just not used to this level of competitor.
18:33EO Sky, who's been to the top many times.
18:35And may well imminently be about to get there again.
18:38And you may mention earlier, just that one mistake could cost you.
18:41And maybe Stephanie made it there.
18:43Yeah, and it might be a learning experience tonight for Stephanie Vaccar.
18:48Cannot take a beat against someone the level of EO Sky.
18:52The blink of an eye will turn the game for Sky.
18:55What a knee.
18:56Huge knee.
18:57And now EO Sky is saying, let's take it through the sky.
19:00Yeah, the genius of the sky up to the top rope perhaps was...
19:04Looking for the over the moon salt.
19:06But Stephanie was able to block.
19:08There's a little showbite in there from EO Sky.
19:10Oh, no, my God.
19:11Oh, my God.
19:12That dragon screw.
19:14Might have popped the kneecap.
19:18That's a ligament shredder.
19:21There's a lot of ligaments in that knee.
19:23The ACL, the MCL, the PCL.
19:25I don't know how any of them are still surviving after that.
19:27And now looking for the SVP, the Stephanie Vaccar bomb.
19:31But EO Sky able to somehow work her way out of it.
19:34EO Sky's operating on one wheel at the moment.
19:37Headbutt from Stephanie Vaccar.
19:39And now EO Sky.
19:41What a takedown for the victory of the title.
19:43And a kick out by Stephanie.
19:45EO with a kick now to the side of the head.
19:48Right to the temple.
19:50Toe first.
19:52There's no breather.
19:53You can't touch a breather with EO Sky in the ring.
19:56Too quick.
19:57Too tough.
20:01Take another look at this.
20:03Imagine this happening to your knee.
20:05We know how devastating an injury it is when your knee is taken out.
20:11Oh, my God.
20:12And there was an attempt there from Vaccar.
20:14He's done clearly major damage to EO Sky, who is battling through the pain now, Pat.
20:20And a bullet train attack in the corner by Sky.
20:24Call for the Women's World Championship.
20:27EO Sky says that's it.
20:29Steps over Vaccar.
20:30But again, having an issue with that leg.
20:33I don't know how she's still standing.
20:35Climbing.
20:36How's she gonna hit the over-the-moon saw?
20:38Up to the top rope.
20:39Oh, no!
20:40Boots up by Stephanie.
20:42Right to the mid-section EO Sky.
20:44And now Vaccar has an opportunity.
20:46Well, that knee injury to EO Sky took a beat too long to get to the top rope for the moonsault,
20:51which is allowing Vaccar back into the match with her boots up.
20:57And now Stephanie goes on offensive.
21:01More damage done!
21:02Did you see the way that the body contorted of EO Sky?
21:05And Pat, I've got to throw it to you.
21:07You know as well as anybody, if you've got a busted limb, you simply cannot operate at the top level athletically.
21:14Especially with a knee, but it's about to be a lot more than just a knee for EO.
21:18Oh, here we go! We're going bouncy, bouncy!
21:21The Devil's Kiss!
21:27Where's Booker?
21:30I would love to smooch with the Devil, wouldn't we all?
21:34What?
21:35Never mind, move on.
21:36Well, it's called The Devil's Kiss.
21:38Right, got it.
21:39Oh, and a knee right to the spine.
21:41Stephanie O'Kara for the Women's World Championship!
21:44And a kick out at two!
21:45What a near fall!
21:47Stephanie can't believe it!
21:49Kick out of the SVB!
21:52Tyrese is thanking the wrestling guards that EO Sky somehow kicked out there.
21:57We'll take another look at this.
21:59This was feet up at the last second by Stephanie Vicar from the over-the-moonsault attempt.
22:05And here we go.
22:06This is the second Dragon Scrap, but the first one did so much damage to EO Sky.
22:11And here we go, the Stephanie Vicar bomb that's beaten everyone in WWE it's connected with,
22:16and the blood just drained out of the face out of Stephanie Vicar because EO kicked out.
22:21Stephanie tried to hit it earlier, EO countered, but not that time around.
22:24But how wise is EO rolling out of harm's way to the bottom rope?
22:28Total instincts from a woman who's climbed to the top of the mountain so many times,
22:32and Shotae uppercut to the jaw!
22:35I mean, that's a huge right from EO Sky. She needed it.
22:38I don't know how EO's still functioning after suffering the devil's kiss in the SVB.
22:45I mean, these women are showing out tonight with the biggest prize of all at stake.
22:54Lighting high above the ring, high-risk situation here.
22:58It's all about the Women's World Championship.
23:01EO Sky setting up something special here to end this.
23:07Dangerous predicament!
23:08Oh!
23:10Spanish fly connecting at the knee of EO Sky hurting in the process.
23:16Yeah, again, that's the leg that's been attacked by Stephanie Vicar.
23:19Beautiful Spanish fly by EO Sky, but she couldn't capitalize.
23:22An out cover by Sky and a kick out by Stephanie.
23:27Such a game-changer when you can't hit top pace because one of your legs simply isn't cooperating.
23:35Pat, imagine you trying to punt with shredded ligaments in your knee.
23:39My dislocated kneecap in my right knee in my last season.
23:42I know exactly what this feels like. Mind over matter at this moment.
23:45The World Championship is on the line.
23:47Gotta push through, right? You gotta try and win it for your team.
23:50All eyes are on you!
23:51And again, bullet train attacked in the corner by EO.
23:53We'll deal with that knee tomorrow.
23:55Now EO Sky exposing her knee, taking down her knee pads.
24:00And this obviously is for more impact on the bullet train attack to Stephanie Vicar!
24:07Pulling out all the stops against a great opponent who may now be spent.
24:12EO Sky wheeling her way for the running knee!
24:18Bare kneecap to the face!
24:21And again, Sky now positioning Vicar as she goes to climb to the top rope and look for over the moonsault.
24:31The grand finale!
24:33EO off the top rope, nobody home!
24:35And the exposed knees hit hard when she missed with the moonsault!
24:39Oh man!
24:40Rolling down the knee pad doesn't sound like high risk, but in this instant it was exactly that!
24:46All the damage absorbed by that knee and weighed on!
24:50Stephanie going up to the top rope!
24:53And he did lose a-
24:55Whoa!
24:56A version of a spiral tap!
24:58And by the car wins the championship!
25:00What?!
25:01Here is your winner!
25:05Winner!
25:06A new Women's World Champion!
25:15Stephanie Vicar!
25:20A stunning ovation for the brand new Women's World Champion!
25:27Oh my God!
25:29Just when it looked like all hope was lost for Stephanie Vicar!
25:34She adds a new wrinkle to her playbook!
25:38Something that nobody saw coming!
25:40And hits it perfectly!
25:41As crisp as you like, Pat!
25:43The biggest match of her life!
25:45The biggest night of her life!
25:47While in the deep water, this was the Spanish fly that really added extra damage to the knee of EO Sky!
25:55But she used the knee there right to the cranium of Stephanie Vicar!
25:59And although she was closing in for the victory!
26:02But it's over the moonsault with the knee exposed towards the maximum damage!
26:06And then this!
26:08A version of a spiral tap!
26:12That's absolutely nasty!
26:14God!
26:15In the deep waters of the match 2!
26:17Could not have been executed any better!
26:21Flush on the genius of the sky!
26:24Wow, Stephanie Vicar!
26:25What a World Championship performance!
26:29And what a show of honor and respect!
26:38From the genius of the sky, EO Sky!
26:42Celebrating with a brand new Women's World Champion!
26:46From humble beginnings as a dark angel!
26:51A teenage wrestler in South America!
26:54To the top of the game!
26:56On every continent!
26:59This is indeed a first!
27:02For Law Primera!
27:05The brand new Women's World Champion!
27:09A very emotional Stephanie!
27:10Her father is here tonight from Chile!
27:23Hector in attendance to watch her!
27:25His daughter Stephanie Vicar conquered the world tonight!
27:30Winning the Women's World Championship!
27:33He's got to be incredibly proud!
27:35And again!
27:37Tremendous family!
27:39Stephanie will tell you the story about how her dad and mom supported her!
27:43And as a teenager to follow her dream!
27:46Which she has done tonight!
27:47To become the brand new Women's World Champion!
27:50To become the brand new Women's World Champion!
27:54And Hector has a hand in that championship!
27:57Congratulations, Leverkus!
27:59A new era has dawned on Monday Night Raw!
28:07La Primera is on top of the world!
28:12As the brand new Women's World Champion!
28:15It's been an honor to be here, boys!
28:31Thank you, Pat!
28:32Love you, Pat!
28:33Congrats, champ!
28:34We'll see you soon!
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