5 Most Notable Absentees From The WWE Queen Of The Ring 2026 Tournament

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That said, in this article, we look at the five most notable absentees from the 2026 Queen of the Ring tournament.

#5. Stephanie Vaquer

Stephanie Vaquer’s absence is perhaps the easiest one to explain. Nonetheless, it is still disappointing.

La Primera enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year. She captured the Women’s World Championship and established herself as one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. Her reign ended at WrestleMania 42 when Liv Morgan captured the title. Reports afterward indicated that Vaquer was dealing with a shoulder injury that would require time away from the ring.

Had she been healthy, Vaquer likely would have entered the tournament as one of the favorites to win the entire competition. Her combination of technical wrestling, striking ability, and growing popularity has made her one of the most complete performers in the women’s division.

In fact, many analysts expected Stephanie to be a major player in this year’s Queen of the Ring. Unfortunately, WWE has been forced to move forward without one of its brightest stars.

#4. Jordynne Grace

Jordynne Grace seemed like a perfect fit for the Queen of the Ring tournament.

Since officially joining WWE’s main roster, Grace has continued to impress with her incredible strength and athleticism. Also, she can deliver exciting matches with anyone on the roster. Unfortunately, she wasn’t included in the Queen of the Ring tournament.

Jordynne Grace would have been an ideal participant. WWE has spent months building her reputation on the main roster. Hence, a deep tournament run could have immediately elevated her into championship contention.

The Queen of the Ring format often creates breakout stars. Grace possesses all the tools necessary to benefit from such a spotlight. Her absence doesn’t necessarily mean WWE has no plans for her. However, it certainly feels like a missed opportunity.

#3. WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton

When discussing surprising omissions, Tiffany Stratton belongs near the top of the list. The former WWE Women’s Champion has remained one of SmackDown’s biggest attractions so far in 2026. She entered the Royal Rumble as one of the favorites and ultimately finished as the runner-up after being eliminated by Liv Morgan.

Later, Stratton won the Women’s United States Championship, further establishing herself as one of WWE’s premier stars. She defeated Giulia earlier this year to win the title and has remained heavily featured on SmackDown programming.

So why leave The Buff Barbie out? The most likely explanation is that the company wants to protect the prestige of her championship while focusing on other storylines. Recent episodes have also teased future rivalries, including the arrival of Blake Monroe, who has already begun targeting Stratton in promotional segments.

Still, considering her popularity and star power, Stratton’s absence is difficult to ignore. Perhaps she would have instantly become one of the favorites to win the entire tournament.

#2. Giulia

Few omissions are more surprising than Giulia’s. Since arriving in WWE, The Beautiful Madness has consistently been presented as one of the company’s most dangerous competitors. She has been portrayed as a legitimate threat capable of defeating anyone on any given night.

What makes the Japanese star’s absence even more puzzling is the tournament format itself. Queen of the Ring is often used to elevate stars who are on the verge of breaking through to the next level. Hence, Giulia fits that description perfectly.

A strong showing could have positioned her for a world title opportunity at SummerSlam while further solidifying her status as one of WWE’s elite female competitors. Instead, Triple H chose to go in another direction.

Whether the company has larger plans for Giulia later this year remains to be seen. However, many fans expected Giulia to play a major role in the tournament.

#1. Blake Monroe

No absence stands out more than Blake Monroe’s. Since her call-up following WrestleMania 42, Monroe has generated significant buzz among fans and industry observers alike. WWE has invested considerable television time into introducing her character and establishing her as one of the most exciting newcomers on the roster.

Recent SmackDown episodes have only increased expectations. Monroe has already begun teasing a future showdown with Tiffany Stratton. WWE has even clearly positioned her as someone fans should be paying attention to. That is precisely why her absence from Queen of the Ring feels so surprising.

Historically, the company has used the tournament to accelerate the rise of promising young stars. Hence, a deep run for Blake Monroe could have instantly established her as a legitimate threat in the women’s division while introducing her to a broader audience. Instead, the company appears to be taking a more patient approach.

While that strategy may ultimately pay off, it’s hard not to imagine how much momentum Monroe could have gained from competing in the tournament. Given her recent push and the excitement surrounding her arrival, she stands as the most notable absentee from the 2026 Queen of the Ring tournament.