This week on Monday Night Raw, WWE superstar Raquel Rodriguez made a comeback to the ring.
The fan favorite, 32, made a comeback this week to secure her position on Saturday night’s high-profile live event Elimination Chamber: Perth. She hadn’t been on a WWE show since an untelevised bout against Nia Jax on December 3.
The former Women’s Tag Team Champion disclosed last month that she had been diagnosed with mast cell activation syndrome, an immunological condition.
According to the British Medical Journal, it is an uncommon illness marked by recurring episodes of severe systemic symptoms that start suddenly and are linked to the release of mast cell mediators.
In addition to occasionally impacting the digestive tract, the illness can also cause symptoms in the respiratory, cardiovascular, and skin domains, such as flushing or redness, hives or wheals, itching, and swelling.
Raquel returned to the show on Monday night as a surprise participant in the Last Chance Battle Royal, having been off-screen following her diagnosis.
After winning the match and dispatching Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, Chelsea Green—who had never been sent out—slyly made her way back into the ring, only to have her strategy thwarted.
She was added to this weekend’s Elimination Chamber match along with Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Straton, and Naomi after Raquel sent her flying over the top rope.
After their match in Perth, the victor of that match advances to WrestleMania 40 to fight the Women’s World Champion, who may be either Rhea Ripley, the current champion, or her opponent, Nia Jax.
Raquel wrote a heartfelt reflection on her health struggle last month, stating that before receiving a second diagnosis, her eczema “got progressively worse” in December.
She motioned about her face in an Instagram video, saying, “Basically, I was red, swollen, a lot was happening in this area physically.”
It prevented me from traveling, working out, and participating in wrestling—activities that I truly enjoy. I also didn’t want to glance in the mirror or be captured on camera.
I was unable to engage in the activities I enjoy, such as traveling, working out, and wrestling. I also didn’t want to glance in the mirror or be captured on camera.
“Thank God I moved back to Texas when I did because I have the best support system in the world during this time,” she said, expressing her gratitude for being back in her family’s home state and for the encouragement she has received from her fans.