Raquel (wrestler)

Gabriela Castrovinci (born January 10, 1986) is a Brazilian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, businesswoman and fitness model best known for her time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Raquel.[2][3] Castrovinci previously appeared on the sixth season of WWE's television show WWE Tough Enough.

Raquel
Birth nameGabriela Castrovinci
Born (1986-01-10) January 10, 1986
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Raquel[1]
Gabi Castrovinci
Gabriela Rio
Billed height5 ft 4 in (1,62 m)
Billed weight123 lb (56 kg)
Billed fromSouthington, Connecticut
Brazil
Trained byBilly Gunn
Booker T
Lita
WWE Performance Center
Afa Anoa'i
Debut2015

Early life

Castrovinci was born and raised in Brazil. She grew up practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a professional athlete for World Beauty Fitness & Fashion. She is an avid surfer and snowboarder. As a self-employed entrepreneur, Castrovinci runs an online business selling Brazilian leggings.

Professional wrestling career

WWE

Tough Enough (2015)

In 2015, Castrovinci appeared as a contestant on the sixth season of the re-launched Tough Enough finishing in tenth place.[4]

Independent circuit (2015–present)

After her time in WWE Tough Enough, Castrovinci trained further with World Xtreme Wrestling and would later make her in-ring debut for them at the end of 2015. In the beginning of February, she talked with TMZ about "being assaulted" by an opponent during a match with her training company.[5][6]

On April 1, 2016, Castrovinci, under the name Raquel, competed in a Rise of the Queen Tournament for the Championship Wrestling Entertainment promotion and proceeded to win the whole thing, defeating the likes of Layne Rosario/Cherry Layne, Rachael Ellering and Santana Garrett. On September 16, 2016, the villainous Raquel unsuccessfully challenged Santana Garrett for the CWE Vixen's Championship.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2016–2017)

In the year of 2016, Castrovinci signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[7] She appeared on January 9, 2016 tapings of Impact Wrestling, and on January 12 of Impact Wrestling in a vignette, revealing her name as Raquel. When she made her debut, she was involved in segments with Lashley; however, this angle was shortly nixed, and nothing came from her appearances with him.

Raquel made her in-ring debut through the company's One Night Only PPV's mainly on Knockouts Knockdown 4 in a match against Barbi Hayden in a losing effort. During April 23 tapings, Raquel acted as a manager for The BroMans. Raquel later made appearances on Xplosion, losing matches to Madison Rayne and Jade, while being repackaged as a villainess with a "selfie-obsessed" gimmick.

On January 6, 2017, Castrovinci revealed she was no longer with TNA.[8]

Championships and accomplishments

References
  1. "TNA Signs Another Former WWE Tough Enough Contestant". Wrestling Inc.
  2. "TNA Signs Another Former WWE Tough Enough Contestant - WrestlingInc.com". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  3. "TNA Knockout Raquel (Gabi Castrovinci) Photos and News". PWPIX.net. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  4. https://www.wwetoughenough.com/competitors/Gabi
  5. Chiari, Mike. "TNA's Raquel Says She Was Assaulted During Match by opponent". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  6. "TNA Knockout And Former 'Tough Enough' Contestant Raquel Thrown Out of Locker Room". The Inquisitr News. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  7. Johnson, Mike (January 14, 2016). "FORMER TOUGH ENOUGH COMPETITOR BECOMES TNA KNOCKOUT". PWInsider. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  8. Gabi Castrovinci [@GabrielaRio10] (January 7, 2017). "No 🎈" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=3813
  10. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3027
  11. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2635
  12. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=164641
  13. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=174494
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