Zelina Vega made history as the first-ever Women’s United States Champion in WWE earlier this year, but she disclosed that her title victory was not planned well in advance. Vega revealed that she learned about winning the championship only about an hour before the SmackDown event where she defeated Chelsea Green, highlighting how sudden the decision was.
Surprise Announcement Came Just Before the Show
During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Vega explained that she had assumed Chelsea Green would retain the title until a producer pulled her aside shortly before the show started. She said,
“They told me maybe, like, an hour or so before the show started… I just assumed that she was going over and that’s how it was gonna go,”
—Zelina Vega.
She added,
“Until a producer pulled me aside. He’s like, ‘Hey, so by the way,’ and I’m like, ‘No, no.’ And he’s like, ‘Yeah.’… It didn’t register. And then by the time it did, I was already holding it.”
—Zelina Vega.
The abrupt nature of her win was underscored by the fact that WWE had not even prepared custom side plates for her championship belt, signaling how last-minute the title change was.
Frustrations With Creative Direction and Mic Time
Despite celebrating the historic win, Zelina Vega also shared her frustrations about the creative limitations she has faced, especially in relation to her role as a babyface character and her restricted opportunities to speak on the microphone. She expressed a desire to show a tougher, more ruthless persona that has been held back.
“A much more ruthless side of me… has been wanting to come out for a while,”
Vega admitted.
“Especially like being a babyface, it was like, ‘Oh, you don’t want to sound like a heel.’ …But now I have a reason to be mad, and now I have a reason to talk the way I wanna talk.”
—Zelina Vega.
She questioned why she has not been allowed to display the mic skills she is known for, emphasizing the lack of freedom in her promos.
Image of: Zelina Vega
“I think genuinely, people might be a little afraid… You ever notice that I’m the one who’s the promo, and yet I haven’t been able to cut promos? Why do you think that is?”
—Zelina Vega.
Short Reign and Potential Turning Point
Zelina Vega’s tenure as Women’s U.S. Champion was brief, as she lost the title to Giulia, a former STARDOM star, on the June 27 episode of WWE SmackDown. Despite the setback, Vega’s recent remarks hint at a possible shift in her character moving forward, potentially embracing a more aggressive and outspoken identity if WWE grants her greater creative freedom.
This development could signal a new chapter for Vega, allowing her to fully express the ruthless aspects of her persona that she has kept under wraps. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see how her role evolves in upcoming WWE storylines.
Carlanisha Bobo is a veteran journalist at CynicalTimes.org, specializing in coverage of the WWE SmackDown Women’s Division.
With seven years of experience in pro wrestling journalism, she brings authoritative reporting, deep analysis, and a sharp eye for in-ring storytelling.
Carlanisha covers everything from championship bouts and emerging talent to long-running rivalries and backstage developments.
Her work highlights the evolution, athleticism, and impact of women’s wrestling on the blue brand.
Through detailed match breakdowns and character insights, she delivers timely, reliable content that keeps fans informed and engaged with the dynamic world of WWE SmackDown.
