10 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About Zelina Vega

1. Fed To Asuka

Zelina Vega
WWE.com

While Vega has only recently started making an impact as a full-time NXT roster member, she had already made a handful of WWE appearances by the time she showed up to chastise Andrade Almas' disruptive lifestyle in July 2017.

Her most notable role came on an October 2016 episode of NXT. Competing under her old independent moniker, Thea Trinidad, Vega had the misfortune of facing then-Women's Champion Asuka at the height of her developmental dominance. 'The Empress Of Tomorrow' flattened Vega in a non-title bout, putting her away in just under two minutes, sending the relative newcomer back to the independent circuit in typically one-sided fashion.

Vega's history with the company runs even deeper. Her first WWE tryout came in March 2013, and while she was unsuccessful, the promotion brought her in as a member of Adam Rose's 'Rosebuds' several times throughout 2014. She also featured in a backstage segment with Tyler Breeze at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way that September, and filmed a scene for Fighting With My Family (the upcoming Paige biopic) after Raw on February 20th, 2017.

While none of these appearances directly resulted in a contract offer, it's probably safe to say they were beneficial to her future employment prospects.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.