The wrestler Zelina Vega has spoken candidly about how she was feeling during the last months of her time in WWE. The fighter, who was part of the roster cuts announced by the company in April, acknowledges that she was not enjoying her situation before leaving the company and that, in hindsight, her mood seemed evident to those who regularly followed her appearances.
Vega returned to wrestling in early September at a House of Glory event and also participated in a PROGRESS show on September 6 in Manchester, England. In this new stage, several fans have commented that she "seems much happier since returning to the independent circuit." This observation came up during a podcast conversation with Charlie, the name currently used by former WWE wrestler Dakota Kai.
Upon hearing that she now conveys a much more positive image, Vega wondered if the contrast with her last stage in WWE had been too evident. "Many people have told me that I seem really happy, and I think: 'Did I look damn miserable before?'" she commented with a laugh.
Beyond the relaxed tone of the conversation, the wrestler made it clear that there was some truth behind that perception. Vega admitted that especially towards the end of her contract, her situation was directly affecting her, and she no longer felt satisfied within the company.
"If I'm honest, I can understand it, because towards the end, I was very unhappy," she said.
Charlie suggested that the difference could be related to Vega enjoying wrestling regularly again and having the opportunity to express herself in the ring. The response from the former WWE Superstar was short but revealing: "When you can really do it, yes."
The statement takes on special relevance considering the limited competitive activity Vega had during her last months in WWE. Her presence in the ring was significantly reduced during the final stretch of her time with the company, to the point of only having a handful of televised matches in 2026.
Her last match for WWE took place at the Main Event tapings on April 10 in San Jose, California, where she was defeated by Jordynne Grace. Before that match, her last competitive appearance on the main roster had been in February, when she participated in a triple threat qualifying match for Elimination Chamber against Alexa Bliss and Giulia. Bliss emerged victorious.
According to Cagematch records, the only other match of Vega aired by WWE in 2026 was her participation in the women's Royal Rumble on January 31. Thus, the wrestler only had three matches broadcast by the company during her last months under contract, a figure that helps contextualize her recent statements about the frustration she experienced during that period.
Her departure came a few weeks later. WWE carried out a new wave of layoffs at the end of April that affected several talents from its different brands. Vega was part of those cuts, thus ending her second contractual stage with the company.
The wrestler had returned to WWE in 2021 after being initially released in November 2020. Over the following years, she achieved some of the greatest successes of her career, including winning the first Queen's Crown Tournament. Vega defeated Doudrop in the final held at WWE Crown Jewel 2021 to become the first winner of the women's tournament.
She also later won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Carmella and became part of the Latino World Order. This last stage allowed her to regain prominence in 2023, especially during the LWO's rivalry against Judgment Day and on the road to Backlash in Puerto Rico.
One of the highlights of her career took place at WWE Backlash 2023 in San Juan. Vega challenged Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Women's Championship and received one of the biggest ovations of the night from the Puerto Rican audience. Although she did not win the championship, the wrestler later described that experience as one of the most special moments of her career.
However, her position within the programming gradually lost continuity over time. The scarce number of matches she had during the first months of 2026 ended up marking the final stretch of her second stage in WWE, something that now takes on a different perspective in light of her own statements.
After leaving the company and completing the corresponding period before being able to accept new contracts, Vega has begun to rebuild her schedule outside of WWE. Her return to the ring took place in September with appearances for House of Glory and PROGRESS Wrestling, regaining an activity that had been very limited in the previous months.
The wrestler already has a new appearance announced for the House of Glory show on October 9. For Vega, this stage represents not only a new professional opportunity but also the chance to enjoy wrestling more regularly again, something that, according to her own words, had ceased to happen during the last months of her time at WWE.
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