WWE Releases Zelina Vega: Former Champion Expresses Anger at Reporter Over Announcement
On Friday, the wrestling world was shocked when the WWE released a former Women's United States Champion and a former Women's Tag Team Champion. After the news broke, Zelina Vega commented on her release and expressed her shock and anger during a livestream.
WWE Releases Zelina Vega
On Friday, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com reported on WWE releasing 23 different wrestlers. During the spree of talent cuts, he revealed at 7:55 p.m. that Aleister Black and Zelina Vega were believed to be among the departing talent. That reporting would later be confirmed when both had their profiles moved to the WWE alumni section of WWE.com.
Vega herself would also confirm the news during a livestream when she described the moment she was told about her release. "When people call me, usually it would say Stanford calling you, and that's when your heart's like, oh f**k. But this time it said TKO, so it's like, very telling. 5:09 p.m. is when I found out."
Vega's exit marks the end of a truly impressive run with the company. After signing with the WWE in 2017, she would go on to become the inaugural Queen of the Ring. She also held the WWE Women's United States Championship and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with Carmella. While the accolades she won proved the company had faith in her talents, the more important thing is that she spent years entertaining fans.
During her tenure, Vega's run managing Andrade "Cien" Almas played a pivotal role in him becoming a popular performer and NXT Champion. Once her career became focused on wrestling instead of managing, she was a popular solo star and member of Legado Del Fantasma and Latino World Order. Wrestling fans will also remember the custom gear that she wore to the ring, which would sometimes include things like elaborate and impressive wings that she would craft herself.
Who Zelina Vega Was Angry at Following Her WWE Release
During the same livestream that featured her describing the moment she learned about her release, Zelina Vega said something that has since gone viral on social media. While speaking about being shocked after learning she wouldn't be performing for the WWE any longer, Vega called out Sean Ross Sapp for when he reported on her release. She bluntly expressed her anger that she didn't get to announce the news for herself.
"The thing is, I was so shocked. But, yeah, I also would have appreciated it if Sean Ross Sapp or whoever the f**k announced it could have at least given me the decency to like let me do it myself first, but. F**k you, dude."
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 11:33 AM.