On the anniversary of September 11, WWE star Zelina Vega shared a deeply personal tribute in memory of her father, Michael Angel Trinidad, who lost his life during the 2001 terror attacks at the World Trade Center. Through an Instagram post, Vega commemorated her father’s legacy and reflected on the impact of that tragic day, interweaving her personal grief with moments of healing and resilience.
This tribute highlights Zelina Vega 9/11 Remembrance as she recalls powerful memories and the ongoing significance of her father’s story in her life, underscoring the lasting imprint of 9/11 on families nationwide.
Personal Memories Shared Through Pictures and Messages
In her social media post, Zelina Vega included poignant photographs that capture a range of emotions connected to her father and the events of 9/11. Some images reflect joyful moments with family—her mother, brother, and others—while other snapshots reveal the difficult aftermath, like a sign made for people searching for her father at Ground Zero. A touching message from a childhood friend also recounts the day’s harrowing experiences, emphasizing the personal connections formed through shared loss.
Vega expressed how these images carry significant weight:
“These pictures have so many stories attached to them.. some are obvious and are just beautiful memories I have with my dad, mom, brother and others. Some are sad like the sign we made for people looking for my Dad at Ground Zero or a txt from my childhood friend and her recollection of the day.”
—Zelina Vega, WWE Superstar
The Influence of Wrestling Stars in Her Tribute
Adding another layer to her tribute, Zelina shared moments involving wrestling personalities who also played an important role in her father’s life and memories. One photo shows her arm wrapped with a message from Rey Mysterio, inscribed with “Never Forget Michael Trinidad 9-11-01,” linking the world of wrestling to her personal history. Another recalls her father’s admiration for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, highlighting the joy they shared watching wrestling matches together. The Rock even visited her father’s memorial, bringing along his daughter, who has since developed a close friendship with Vega. These bittersweet encounters demonstrate the profound connections between wrestling’s community and her family’s narrative.
Vega reflected on these unlikely moments of remembrance:
“Others are more recent but mean the world to me, in one photo it’s my arm wrapped with the words Never Forget Michael Trinidad 9-11-01 written by Rey Mysterio, someone I watched in my Dad’s room on the tv.. another is of The Rock, someone he loved, we loved watching and celebrating together.. he brought his daughter, now a dear friend of mine, to visit my Dad at the memorial. Those are those crazy ‘I can’t believe I did that’ moments.. our faves know all about you Dad.. my fans know all about you, they visit you, make signs for you.. it’s insane.”
—Zelina Vega, WWE Superstar
Expressions of Love and Loss
Beyond sharing memories and fan interactions, Zelina Vega opened up about the personal side of her loss, expressing the deep ache of not having her father present in significant moments of her life. She mentioned her husband Tim and his daughter Ruby, describing Ruby as resembling both her parents and the pride her father would have felt. Despite the pain, her message radiated love and gratitude, reflecting a profound bond that transcends time and tragedy. She also celebrated her milestone of winning a WWE title, dedicating that achievement to her late father as a symbol of homage and accomplishment.
In her touching words:
“I wish you would have gotten to meet my husband, I know you would have loved him and how amazing he is to me, Tim’s daughter Ruby.. she’s like a mini me and Tim, like your pride and joy in one. We miss you more than words the lump in my throat prevent me from saying. I love you forever. Our guardian angel. Michael Angel Trinidad. Thank you for being with me every step of the way. I felt incredibly blessed to finally bring a WWE title to you. Finally. That will stay with me forever but.. we’re far from done. Rest In Paradise. Love you Dad.”
—Zelina Vega, WWE Superstar
Wrestling Community News Highlights
In other wrestling news, Shawn Michaels revealed the official poster for the upcoming NXT No Mercy event scheduled for September 27 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The poster features stars like Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, and Blake Monroe, signaling a promising lineup for the event. Stephanie McMahon also drew attention by interviewing NFL legend Rob Gronkowski on her “What’s Your Story?” podcast, bridging sports conversations with WWE fans.
Further nostalgic moments came with WWE Vault’s upload of the full 1997 WrestleFest event, headlined by what was intended to be Terry Funk’s retirement match against Bret Hart. This historic footage adds depth to WWE’s storied past and keeps classic wrestling moments alive for newer audiences.
Updates in the Wider Wrestling World
A number of wrestlers and personalities shared recent developments. MVP revealed on a podcast with Chris Van Vliet that his inability to attend the Forbidden Door event in London was due to complications from a past felony conviction, which barred him from entering the United Kingdom. He explained,
“Now England, the United Kingdom, just started the electronic transfer authorization, and they ask the question, ‘Have you been convicted of a felony that required you to have a 12-month stay or longer in a correction?’ Well, yeah, I did nine and a half years, so I answered truthfully, and that’s why I wasn’t allowed in for Forbidden Door.”
—MVP, Professional Wrestler
Other figures, including Bryan Danielson and Tony Khan, participated in interviews discussing career highlights and future plans. Renee Paquette spoke with Dean Malenko on AEW Close-Up, while Darby Allin shared stories about his climb of Mount Everest on a recent Talk is Jericho episode, highlighting the diverse interests and achievements of wrestling stars beyond the ring.
Heartwarming Personal Updates from the Wrestling Community
Megan Bayne celebrated uplifting news when her baby cousin Matthew was declared cancer-free after undergoing treatment. She expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support received during this challenging journey:
“For those of you who don’t know, back in January I shared that my cousin Matthew had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment at just 6 months old. This week, we received the amazing news that he is cancer-free! He and his parents are finally back home, and his treatment is officially over. Thank you so much to everyone who showed their support and donated — I couldn’t be more grateful.”
—Megan Bayne, Wrestler
In addition, Matt and Jeff Hardy were announced to throw out the first pitch at Fenway Park before a September 18 game between the Boston Red Sox and the Athletics. TNA stars Eddie and Alisha Edwards will also appear as special guests, blending wrestling enthusiasm with baseball festivities.
International Wrestling Events and Career Progressions
Exciting events are in motion globally, including the 2025 Trios Grand Prix hosted by RevPro in Barcelona on September 20-21, where Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI, and Trent Seven will team up. Bishop Dyer, formerly known as Baron Corbin, reflected on his post-WWE career, emphasizing the drive to show growth and prove his capabilities beyond his past WWE persona. He said,
“It’s a proving ground for me. A lot of people know me just from being Baron Corbin in WWE and they think they know what I can do. And I think it’s eye opening for a lot of people that step into the ring with me and go – this is a different animal. This is not the same Baron Corbin we watched for years, or whatever predisposed opinion of me they have, I’m bringing new stuff to the table. It’s a new hunger. A new excitement, especially getting into companies like MLW.”
—Bishop Dyer, Professional Wrestler
Other appearances included Saraya on Busted Open Radio, showcasing the ongoing prominence of wrestling personalities sharing their stories through diverse media platforms.
The Lasting Impact and Future of Memorial Tributes
Zelina Vega’s heartfelt remembrance emphasizes the enduring effect of 9/11 on families intimately connected to the tragedy, while also illustrating the way public figures draw strength from personal loss to inspire others. Her tribute intertwines memory, fandom, and family, reflecting not only the pain of loss but also the resilience needed to move forward. As Zelina continues her wrestling career with deep dedication to her father’s memory, she symbolizes how the wrestling community and its fans honor loved ones lost during pivotal moments in history.
The release of nostalgic events and the progression of current storylines for NXT and AEW hint at a dynamic future for the world of professional wrestling, where personal stories and public entertainment unite to create compelling narratives.
