Zelina Vega

Zelina Vega is an American professional wrestler and actress. Her real name is Thea Megan Trinidad Budgen and she is of Puerto Rican descent. Vega is currently signed to WWE on Friday Night SmackDown. As of 2023, she is a member of the Latino World Order.

Early Life

Zelina Vega was born on the 27th of December in 1990 in Queens, New York City, United States of America. Vega has been interested in sports ever since her childhood. She was athletic in school where she participated in swimming and baseball. She is American by nationality and is of Puerto Rican descent. She and her younger brother Timothy loved watching professional wrestling with their father Michael, who inspired her to pursue a career in the sport.

Professional Wrestling Career

Early Career (2010-2011)

Trinidad began training as a wrestler under the likes of Javi-Air, Azrieal, and T.J. Perkins. She made her debut in 2010. She wrestled for several independent promotions before signing to TNA.

TNA (2011-2013)

Trinidad debuted on Impact as Sarita's cousin. The duo feuded with The Beautiful People for TNA Knockout's Tag Team Championship. At Victory Road, she captured the tag team championship with Sarita. In July, they lost the title to Tara and Tessmacher. After a few unsuccessful attempts over the coming months, Sarita and Rosita became inactive with the company. In 2013, they released Trinidad from the company.

Independent Circuit (2011-2017)

While working under the ring name Rosita, she travelled to Mexico in 2011 to attend an event held by CMLL. During her time there, she trained in CMLL and was offered a contract there which she could not sign due to TNA and AAA's partnership. She appeared on AAA a few days later as a member of TNA roster who were invading the promotion. She also made appearances on Family Wrestling Entertainment that year and made sporadic appearances on the promotion up until next year.

After her association with TNA came to a stop in 2013, she worked under her real name in Global Force Wrestling (GFW) in 2015. She worked only about three months there before leaving the promotion. She had joined Ring of Honor in July 2015 where she managed Austin Aries. 2016 saw Trinidad making appearances in promotions such as Shine Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom.

WWE

Manager (2017-2020)

Trinidad signed a developmental contract with the company and was assigned to NXT. She debuted on NXT where she confronted Andrade and slapped him. She started accompanying him to the ring for his matches. She got Andrade a shot at the NXT Championship. At TakeOver War Games, Andrade defeated Drew McIntyre for the NXT Championship. She managed Andrade throughout his NXT career. The two were drafted to SmackDown in April.

In July, she defeated Lana to win her first match on SmackDown. At SummerSlam, Trinidad and Andrade defeated Lana and Rusev. At Evolution, Trinidad competed in a battle royal which was won by Nia Jax. She took part in another battle royal at WrestleMania 35 and lost.

In 2019, Trinidad and Andrade were drafted to RAW. At Madison Square Garden, she assisted Andrade to win the United States Championship from Rey Mysterio. Trinidad introduced Angel Garza as a part of their team. However, Andrade and Garza often had arguments and fought with each other. It caused Trinidad to leave the group. She challenged Asuka for the RAW Women's Championship and lost. During the Draft, she was drafted to SmackDown.

Resigned and Queen's Crown (2021-Present)

After being released from the company in 2020, she resigned with the company. She reappeared on television after eight months and took part in the Money in the Bank ladder match. In September, she entered the inaugural Queen's Crown tournament. At Crown Jewel, she defeated Duodrop to win the tournament.

During the Draft, she went to RAW. She formed an alliance with Carmella. On RAW, the duo won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship from Nikki A.S.H and Rhea Ripley. At WrestleMania 38, they lost the titles to Sasha Banks and Naomi.

She would then go on a long hiatus due to an in-ring injury that required surgery. She returned to the promotion after a seven-month hiatus on October 7th and aligned herself with Legado Del Fantasma who attacked Hit Row on that episode of SmackDown. She entered the Women's Royal Rumble match at the eponymous event at #21 and eliminated Xia Li before being eliminated by Lacey Evans.

On March 10, 2023, she helped Legado Del Fantasma save Rey Mysterio and then help him face Judgment Day. This would mark the first time Vega turned face in her entire WWE career. Mysterio appreciated the help from Fantasma and extended a hand towards them. On March 31 episode of SmackDown, Mysterio revived the Latino World Order group and offered Legado Del Fantasma a place in the stable, which the group accepted.

Vega then demanded a match against Rhea Ripley for her Women's World Championship. She faced her at Backlash but failed to grab the title. As the event was held in Puerto Rico, Vega received a huge round of applause and a standing ovation from the fans after the match. A few days later, she defeated Lacey Evans to qualify for the Women's Money in the Bank ladder match. She, however, failed to grab the briefcase which was won by Iyo Sky. She challenged Sky for the title in August 2023 but failed to win the match.

Championships and Accomplishments

Zelina Vega Net Worth

Zelina Vega is worth around $2 Million as of 2023. Her net worth is mainly credited to her earnings from professional wrestling. The 2021 Queens' Crown winner is one of the most consistent performers on the female roster and is reportedly paid around $150,000 annually for her work in WWE. Besides WWE, she is also involved in brand endorsements and sponsorships.

Also Read: Know more about Zelina Vega's Net Worth in 2023

Zelina Vega Family

Vega's father's name was Michael and he worked as a telecom analyst for Cantor Fitzgerald at the World Trade Center. He was unfortunately a victim of the September 11 attacks. He was on the 103rd floor of the North Tower when the attacks happened causing his demise. Her mother's name is Monique Ferrer. She shared the story of his husband with StoryCorps, which made it into a short cartoon honoring his demise.

Vega also has a younger brother with whom she watched wrestling while growing up. Vega cut an out-of-character interview on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on TNA's No Surrender PPV. She honored her father and everyone who suffered on the catastrophic day.

Zelina Vega's Husband

Zelina Vega has been married to Tom Budgen since 2018. Pro-wrestling fans better know him by his ring name Malakai Black or Aleister Black. The two reside in Tampa, Florida. While Vega works in WWE, Black currently performs on the promotion's rival All Elite Wrestling. He is the leader of the pro-wrestling faction House of Black which also consists of Brody King and Buddy Matthews.

Also Read: Know more about Zelina Vega's husband

Malakai Black was born on May 19, 1985, and is currently 38 years old. He was born in Alkmaar, Netherlands, and is Dutch by nationality. Not only is he an expert pro-wrestler, but Black is also skilled in martial arts, kickboxing and Muay Thai. A former NXT Champion, Black's net worth is estimated to be more than a million in 2023.

Zelina Vega's Height, Age, Finisher and more