Zelina Vega, known as a former WWE Women’s United States Champion, has become a well-known figure among female wrestlers in recent years. Originally starting her WWE journey as the manager for the former NXT World Champion Andrade, Vega did not initially believe she would rise to stardom as a wrestler. Despite her doubts, she remained determined to succeed in WWE wrestling.
In a recent appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight Podcast, Vega opened up about the uncertainty she felt regarding her wrestling career in WWE. Although unsure if she would ever succeed, she was unwilling to quit and continued to push forward through many challenges.
The Impact of Live Performance on WWE’s Perception of Vega
Vega explained that she endured multiple WWE tryouts where she consistently received rejection. After approximately eight attempts over several years, she contemplated giving up, feeling disheartened by the repeated “no” responses. However, she eventually realized that WWE had yet to witness her true capabilities in front of a live audience.
I wasn’t sure if it was gonna happen, but I knew I wasn’t willing to completely give up, even though I know I said it. It’s one of those things that you say deep down in your heart, there’s just something that no matter how much you hate it, you’re always gonna go back to it. I just remember when it came to there was an audition that I did and everything was going great with it, I got accepted for it. It was like we were doing the fittings, everything’s going great. Then they switched it last minute, let’s just say from a female villain to a male villain. So they had to go that route completely and I was so destroyed from that.
—Zelina Vega
It wasn’t until WWE finally saw Vega wrestle live that their opinion shifted. Watching her manage the crowd, deliver promos, and perform during matches highlighted qualities that studio tryouts did not reveal.
Then at my tryout from WWE that month, they also said no. I remember just texting Dwayne, ‘I think I’m done with this, I can’t do this anymore, it’s just no after no after no, I just don’t see it happening.’ It was like eight tryouts with WWE. Every year I had a tryout and they said no until that point. So it was like they hadn’t seen me in my element, though. It was like, Okay, do a bunch of rolls, hit the ropes and do all this stuff, but they didn’t get to see me cutting a promo in front of the crowd, controlling a crowd, going and having a match in front of a crowd. And once they did, that’s when that changed,
—Zelina Vega
A Turning Point Linked to a Biopic Role
Another significant moment for Vega happened when WWE management saw her portrayal of AJ Lee in Saraya’s biopic, Fighting With My Family. This performance helped demonstrate her potential and added to their growing belief in her wrestling abilities.
Why This Milestone Matters for Zelina Vega’s WWE Career
Zelina Vega’s WWE wrestling breakthrough emphasizes the importance of persistence and showcasing genuine skill in front of fans. Her story highlights how live performance and connection with the audience can change the trajectory of a wrestler’s career, especially after facing numerous setbacks. By overcoming repeated doubts and rejections, Vega’s experience serves as an example to aspiring wrestlers who find themselves on the edge of giving up.
Looking ahead, Vega’s breakthrough may lead to more prominent opportunities in WWE, supporting her rise as one of the top female talents in the industry. Her journey underscores the challenges of breaking through in the competitive wrestling world and the impact of perseverance combined with seizing the right moment.
