Raquel Rodriguez has fully embraced the "Big Sexy" persona, and in a candid conversation with WWE Now's Raw Recap hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant, she offered a rare look at the mindset behind the evolution, from a difficult stretch following illness to the confident, dominant force she is today.
There's not one moment that springs to my memory that's like, 'oh, that was the time I knew I had to change,'" Rodriguez said. "It's really been a progression over the past year — coming back from my illness, not feeling very confident — but every week I get an opportunity to show everyone why I belong on this roster, why I belong on Monday Night Raw, why I am Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez.
Letting the Action Do the Talking
When online discourse questioned her presence and power, Rodriguez chose not to respond with words. Instead, she poured the doubt into her performances — a deliberate choice that became central to the Big Sexy persona.
I've always considered myself a woman of action," she said. "Words are words, but they only mean so much. I just let it go. I said, I don't need to open this beautiful mouth — I'm just gonna show you guys what this strong, beautiful, powerful, tall, amazing, just great at everything woman can do out there. And that's the kind of confidence I've been carrying into every single match, every single week.
Moment with John Cena
One moment crystallized the shift more than any other: Tejana Bombing John Cena during his retirement tour. It functions now as something Rodriguez actively invokes — a psychological credential she carries everywhere.
My confidence just — oh, okay, we can do this," she said. "If I could Tejana Bomb John Cena, I can Tejana Bomb anyone.
She elaborated that she still references the moment constantly, including at fan meet-and-greets when she encounters Cena merchandise:
I just go ahead and say, 'Hey, you know, I picked him up and I threw him right down. I Tejana Bombed him. Don't forget about that. And it's not AI — I can promise you that.'
Thriving in Chaos
The Elimination Chamber setting brought out the best in Rodriguez, who views multi-person, high-chaos environments as her natural habitat.
Elimination Chamber — I was in my element," she said. "There's nothing more I love than being inside of a cage and throwing women against it. I thrive in chaos. I thrive when it comes to having multiple women at my fingertips for me to just think of insane things to do to them.
Rodriguez also offered a self-assessment that may be her sharpest line yet:
I think that is the scariness of Big Sexy — I don't recall another person that can come across with more glee and more charm when discussing punching people in the face.
The Big Sexy train is eyeing for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas — and she is competing next week on WWE Raw in a six-woman match for the right to challenge AJ Lee for the Women's Intercontinental Championship.
