BREAKING: Giulia Launches Shocking Backstage Assault on Stephanie Vaquer Ahead of Forbidden Door Showdown
TOKYO, JAPAN – The professional wrestling world is reeling tonight after an incident of unprecedented violence backstage at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Korakuen Hall. In a stunning breach of protocol and decorum, Giulia, the iconic leader of the CLAP faction, launched a vicious and unprovoked physical assault on Stephanie Vaquer, just days before their scheduled championship match at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view. The event has thrown the highly anticipated match into jeopardy and left the future of both competitors uncertain.
The Scene of the Attack
The incident occurred shortly after tonight’s NJPW taping concluded. Eyewitnesses report that Stephanie Vaquer was in a production corridor, speaking with CMLL representatives about her travel plans for the Forbidden Door event. The atmosphere was described as calm and professional, with Vaquer in high spirits following a successful week of promotional work.
Without warning, the scene turned to chaos. Giulia, who had not been scheduled to appear at the venue, stormed into the corridor. Witnesses describe her demeanor as “focused and furious,” bypassing several people to head directly for Vaquer.
“There was no shouting, no provocation,” stated a backstage crew member who wished to remain anonymous. “Vaquer had her back turned. Giulia just grabbed her by the hair, yanked her backwards, and started unleashing a series of stiff, closed-fist punches to the side of her head. It was brutal. It wasn’t a wrestling angle; it was a straight-up assault.”
Chaos and Aftermath


The attack lasted for nearly thirty seconds before security and several nearby wrestlers were able to intervene. It took multiple people to pull a seething Giulia away from her rival. Vaquer, visibly dazed and bleeding from a cut above her eyebrow, collapsed to the floor and required immediate medical attention on-site.
Giulia offered no resistance once separated but continued to glare at her fallen opponent. She reportedly uttered only one phrase in Japanese, translated by a source as, “This is just the beginning,” before being escorted from the building by NJPW officials.
Vaquer was helped to the trainer’s room. While she is confirmed to not have suffered a concussion, she has significant bruising on her face and neck. The psychological impact, however, is immeasurable.
The Buildup to the Violence
The rivalry between Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer is one built on a clash of styles and egos. Giulia, the cool, charismatic, and hard-hitting icon of Japanese wrestling, represents a specific brand of violent elegance. Stephanie Vaquer, the reigning NWA World Women’s Champion, is the embodiment of proud, powerful Lucha Libre, known for her incredible strength and technical prowess.
Tensions began to boil over during a joint press conference last week. Vaquer, confident and outspoken, dismissed Giulia’s legacy. “She is a model who fights. I am a fighter who models championships,” Vaquer stated. “When she steps into the ring with me at Forbidden Door, she will not be ready for the kind of war I bring. This is not a photo shoot. This is a battlefield.”
Giulia remained eerily silent during these remarks, offering only a cold, dismissive smirk. It appears that behind that calm exterior, Vaquer’s words were festering, building into a rage that could no longer be contained.
Industry Reaction and Official Fallout
The wrestling community has reacted with shock and condemnation on social media. Many peers have expressed concern for Vaquer’s well-being and criticized Giulia’s dangerous and unprofessional actions.
AEW and NJPW officials have released a joint statement: “We are aware of a serious incident that occurred backstage following tonight’s NJPW event involving Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer. The safety and well-being of our talent is our utmost priority. We are currently conducting a full investigation into the matter. Any decisions regarding the scheduled match at Forbidden Door will be made after this investigation is complete and we have a clearer understanding of Stephanie Vaquer’s condition.”
What This Means for Forbidden Door
This assault has completely altered the landscape for their upcoming match. Several scenarios are now on the table:
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The Match is Cancelled: If Vaquer is medically unable to compete or if officials deem the situation too volatile, the high-profile bout could be scrapped entirely, a massive disappointment for fans.
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The Match Proceeds with Stipulations: The companies could choose to capitalize on the real-life heat, turning the match into an unsanctioned or No Disqualification fight, legitimizing the animosity.
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Giulia Faces Suspension: NJPW may be forced to suspend Giulia, which would also force the cancellation of the match and have significant repercussions for her career.