WWE’s Myles Borne has offered an affectionate and candid assessment of Stephanie Vaquer’s dedication to learning English, saying the former NXT standout’s command of the language is already better than his own.
Borne and Vaquer met while “La Primera” was still part of WWE NXT, and the pair have remained together since. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Borne discussed both Vaquer’s work ethic and the communication concerns he initially had because of his own hearing impairment and speech impediment.
Rather than becoming an obstacle, Borne said language has never caused a problem in their relationship. He credited Vaquer’s intelligence, her willingness to study, and the seriousness with which she approaches every aspect of her work.
“The way she studies so hard and works so hard on her English, she’s very smart, she knows multiple languages,” Borne said on Busted Open Radio. “Her English is fantastic.”
For more background on this topic, read Grayson Waller Wants Austin Theory Showdown After NXT Return.
Vaquer’s drive has stood out to Borne
Vaquer was born in Chile and has built a reputation as one of wrestling’s most accomplished and driven international talents. Before her time in WWE, she competed across major platforms in Mexico and Japan, developing into a widely respected performer before arriving in NXT.
For Borne, the same commitment that has been evident in Vaquer’s wrestling career is apparent in her effort to improve her English. He said she has sometimes been frustrated by the process because she wants to get everything right and holds herself to a particularly high standard.
That perfectionist mindset is something Borne clearly admires. He described Vaquer as someone who wants to do every task to the best of her ability, including communicating in a language that was not her first.
“I know she’s gotten frustrated with trying to make sure she does everything perfectly, because she really wants to do everything to the best of her ability,” Borne said.
Borne’s response has been to reassure Vaquer that she is already doing exceptionally well. In doing so, he also brought attention to an experience that has shaped his own life: even as someone who has lived in the United States his entire life, he still works through pronunciation and speech-related challenges.
“You don’t even realize how actually good your English is,” Borne recalled telling Vaquer. “I’ve lived here for 28 years and I still mispronounce words. I have a speech impediment. People don’t understand my English.”
Borne discusses the reality of learning and communication
Borne was born deaf and has previously been open about the work involved in communication. His comments provided a useful reminder that language is not simply a matter of where someone was born or how long they have lived in a particular country. Pronunciation, hearing, confidence and the ability to process communication can all affect how a person speaks and how others understand them.
He said that many people may not fully appreciate how difficult it can be to learn even one language, particularly when a person is working through hearing-related limitations. Borne explained that he has to put in extra effort to pronounce words correctly.
The WWE performer approached the subject with humor as well as honesty. While Vaquer has been diligently learning English, Borne joked that he knows a little Spanish but is still “struggling” with English himself.
That self-deprecating perspective helped frame his praise for Vaquer. Borne was not merely complimenting a partner’s progress; he was speaking from personal experience about the effort involved in being understood and in feeling comfortable enough to communicate without fear of being judged for a mistake.
Early nerves gave way to an easy connection
Borne also recalled being nervous before speaking with Vaquer for the first time. He worried that a potential language barrier, combined with his speech impediment, could make an initial conversation difficult.
His concern was understandable. First impressions can feel especially daunting when someone is already conscious of the way they speak or whether another person will be able to understand them. But Borne said those concerns quickly proved unnecessary.
“I just remember being so nervous and scared to talk to her,” Borne said. “I was like, ‘Her English might not be so good. I got a speech impediment. Maybe she won’t realize it. Maybe she’ll think my English is really good and we’ll have no problem.’ Her English was already better than mine.”
The line was delivered as a joke, but it also underscored the comfort Borne now has in talking openly about a subject that can be deeply personal. The relationship did not hinge on either person meeting some impossible standard of perfect communication. Instead, Borne’s remarks pointed to mutual effort, understanding and patience.
He said he feels very fortunate to have “landed” Vaquer, a comment that reflected both his appreciation for their relationship and his admiration for the work she continues to put into her life and career.
A personal story within WWE’s developmental environment
Relationships have long been part of professional wrestling’s demanding, travel-heavy world, and WWE’s Performance Center environment has brought together athletes from a broad range of countries, athletic backgrounds and cultural experiences. Borne and Vaquer’s relationship developed while both were connected to NXT, where performers spend extensive time training, preparing for television and adapting to WWE’s system.
The circumstances naturally create opportunities for wrestlers to form close bonds, but Borne’s comments place the focus on something more specific than simply meeting at work. His story is about overcoming assumptions before they have the chance to become barriers.
He initially assumed that Vaquer’s English might be limited. At the same time, he worried that his own speech impediment could complicate the conversation. Instead, he discovered that Vaquer was already highly capable in English, while she continued to pursue improvement with the same intensity she brings to her professional ambitions.
That dynamic is particularly meaningful in an industry where performers are regularly required to communicate in public. In-ring ability is central to wrestling, but interviews, promos, media appearances and day-to-day collaboration are also major parts of a WWE career. For an international performer, developing confidence in English can carry added pressure, especially when the performer is determined to represent herself accurately.
Borne’s comments did not suggest that Vaquer needs validation for her abilities. Quite the opposite: he emphasized that she is already excellent, while explaining that her desire to be perfect can make her overly critical of herself. His message was one of encouragement from someone who understands how much work communication can require.
Respect, humor and reassurance
The exchange also revealed the easy humor at the center of Borne’s outlook. His joke about struggling with English was not meant to diminish the real work involved in his hearing impairment or speech impediment. It was a way of acknowledging that communication can be challenging for many different reasons, and that nobody needs flawless delivery to connect with another person.
For Vaquer, Borne’s praise highlights a quality that has been visible throughout her rise: a commitment to preparation. For Borne, the discussion shows continued confidence in addressing his own experiences honestly. Both elements make their story relatable beyond the wrestling setting.
There is no indication from Borne that language has ever created a meaningful divide between the two. In fact, his remarks make clear that their ability to communicate has been strong from the beginning. The worries he carried into that first conversation were quickly replaced by respect for Vaquer’s skills and appreciation for the relationship they built.
As Vaquer continues her WWE journey and Borne continues his own career, the comments offer a warm glimpse into the support system behind the performers. Borne’s central point was simple: Vaquer works extremely hard, speaks English exceptionally well, and may be tougher on herself than she needs to be. Coming from someone who has faced his own communication challenges, that praise carries particular weight.
In pictures
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.