ZELINA VEGA

Thea Megan Trinidad Budgen is a 33-year-old professional wrestler from New York City. She currently wrestles for the WWE and performs on SmackDown under the ring name, Zelina Vega.

Trinidad began training for a wrestling career at just 17 years old. She trained under Javi-Air, Azrieal, and T.J. Perkins. Trinidad made her professional wrestling debut on February 20, 2010, under the ring name Divina Fly for National Wrestling Superstars (NWS). At her debut, she lost to Brittney Savage. A few months later, she changed her ring name to Snookie Fly.

Trinidad wrestled in a tryout dark match at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s (TNA) Impact! television tapings on January 11, 2011. At the end of January, it was rumored that she had signed a contract with the promotion. She made her TNA debut on February 10th using the ring name, Rosita. At this time she then teamed with Sarita to win the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship. They defended the titles several times successfully but lost the titles to Ms. Tessmacher and Tara on July 12 at the tapings of the July 21st episode of Impact Wrestling. In January 2013, Trinidad’s contract with TNA expired and she parted ways with the promotion.

From 2011 to 2017, Trinidad wrestled on the independent circuit for promotions including Family Wrestling Entertainment, Global Force Wrestling, Ring of Honor and Shine Wrestling.

Zelina Vega’s WWE Tryout

On March 4 2013, Trinidad participated in a tryout for the WWE. She made several brief appearances in the promotion in 2014, including as one of Adam Rose’s “rosebuds.” She also lost a match against NXT Women’s Champion Asuka on the October 26, 2016 episode of NXT. In 2017, Trinidad signed a contract with the WWE and began training at the WWE Performance Center in Florida.

Initially, Trinidad made appearances as Zelina Vega, the heel manager of Almas. Throughout 2017 and 2018, she accompanied Almas to the ring and would frequently interfere in his matches. On January 28 at Royal Rumble, she made her first main roster appearance as she accompanied Almas in his entrance as number 7 during the Royal Rumble match.

Zelina Vega made her in-ring debut for NXT during a live event on February 3, where she teamed with Almas and was defeated by Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. At her first televised match, Vega was accompanied to the ring by Almas and was defeated by Candice LeRae. This ended up being Vega’s and Almas’ last appearances in NXT.

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Zelina Vega Joins SmackDown

On April 17 during the Superstar Shake-up, Vega and Almas were both drafted to SmackDown. Zelina Vega made her in-ring debut on SmackDown on July 31 where she defeated Lana. She then teamed with Almas and they defeated Lana and Rusev at SummerSlam. At Evolution on October 28, Vega competed in a battle royal for a future women’s championship match, but was eliminated by the eventual winner Nia Jax. She also competed at WrestleMania 35 where she participated in the Women’s Battle Royal, but failed to win.

In 2019, Zelina was drafted to RAW in the WWE Superstar Shake-Up but was then sent back to SmackDown. Both Vega and Almas (now known as Andrade) were drafted to RAW at the 2019 WWE draft. Vega assisted Andrade in most of his matches and helped him retain the United States Championship on various occasions. She also participated in the women’s Royal Rumble match and entered at #25 but was eliminated by Shayna Baszler.

With Garza and Andrade feuding, Vega appeared to end her association with them on the September 14th edition of RAW. During this episode, Vega interrupted and confronted Asuka after she just defeated Mickie James, initiating a feud. Zelina then defeated Mickie James for a title match against Asuka for the RAW Women’s Championship at Clash of Champions.

Zelina Vega’s Return to WWE

After the WWE Draft in October 2020, it was announced that Zelina Vega would now be part of the company’s SmackDown brand. On November 13, 2020, WWE released Vega from her contract.

Several months later though Vega returned to Friday Night SmackDown on July 2nd 2021. At her in-ring return, Vega faced Liv Morgan in a losing effort. That night it was also announced however that Vega would be a competitor in the 2021 Women’s Money in the Bank match.

Zelina Vega Wins Inaugural Queen’s Crown Tournament

In October, Vega entered the Queen’s Crown tournament, where she defeated Toni Storm in the first round, and Carmella in the semi-finals. At Crown Jewel, Zelina defeated Doudrop in the finals to win the tournament marking her first accolade in WWE.

On the following episode of RAW, with her now officially a member of the RAW brand, Zelina had a coronation for her victory. She was adorned with a crown, cape, and scepter, and her ring name was changed to Queen Zelina. She also defeated Doudrop in a rematch by using her scepter.

After Crown Jewel, Queen Zelina and Carmella began appearing together as a tag team. On the November 22nd episode of RAW, Queen Zelina and Carmella successfully won the Women’s Tag Team Championships when they defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley.

At WrestleMania 38, Carmella and Queen Zelina lost the titles in a fatal 4-way match to Sasha Banks and Naomi. The other teams that participated in the cyclonic match included Shayna Baszler & Natalya as well as Rhea Ripley with Liv Morgan.

Zelina Joins Legado Del Fantasma

After a seven-month hiatus, Vega returned on the October 7th episode of SmackDown, aligning herself with Legado Del Fantasma and attacking Hit Row. At the 2023 Royal Rumble, Vega entered the Women’s Royal Rumble match at #21. She eliminated Xia Li before being eliminated by Lacey Evans. On the March 10th episode of Smackdown, Vega joined Legado Del Fantasma in helping Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day, turning face for the first time in six years.

On the March 31st episode of SmackDown, Rey reformed the Latino World Order and invited Legado Del Fantasma to join as a token of appreciation for aiding him in his fight against his son, Dominik, and The Judgment Day. Vega requested a match against The Judgment Day’s Rhea Ripley for the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship at Backlash on the April 21st episode of SmackDown. Adam Pearce, WWE Official, granted the request.

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STATS

Birth name: Thea Megan Trinidad Budgen
Born: December 27, 1990, New York City, New York, USA
Height: 5 ft 1 in (155 cm)
Weight: 99 lb (45 kg)
Spouse: Tom Büdgen
Ring Name(s): Divina Fly, Rosita, Thea Trinidad, Zelina Vega, Queen Zelina
Current Roster: WWE SmackDown
Finishing Move(s): Fly Cutter, Moonsault

Zelina Vega’s Social Media:

QUEEN ZELINA PHOTOS

Career Championships and Accomplishments

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
- TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship (1 time)
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- Queen’s Crown Tournament Winner (2021)
- Women’s Tag Team Championship (1 time)