Zelina Vega is back!!
It was first reported mid-May that Thea Trinidad, known as Zelina Vega in WWE, was possibly returning to the company. She was released in November after breaching WWE’s policy of being on third-party platforms. Now she is back and is not only on the SmackDown brand but is in the upcoming Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
WWE Authority Sonya Deville took to the ring to announce the second woman for the blue brand to be added to the match. Last week, she added Carmella without her having to qualify. This enraged Liv Morgan who defeated Carmella the week before. She then proved that she should receive a spot by defeating her once again. Deville has yet to place her in the match despite picking up these back-to-back wins.
Deville announced a returning Zelina Vega as the second woman to represent the blue brand. This leaves two spots left as Carmella and Vega join RAW’s Asuka, Nikki Cross, Naomi, and Alexa Bliss. After Vega took to the mic to celebrate her return and being placed into the MITB match, Morgan’s music hit.
Liv is once again not understanding how she has not been put into the match, but Carmella and now Zelina have been. Especially when Zelina hadn’t even been around. Much like Morgan did to Carmella, she slapped Vega initiating a match between the two in order to prove to Deville once again she deserves a spot.
Vega looked good in her return, but it was Morgan’s night once again as she picks up the win. A confirmation of Morgan being in the MITB was still not given.
Prior to SmackDown starting, Fightful Select provided news on Zelina Vega possibly returning. As stated earlier, rumors started to swirl in May about Vega’s return, however, since then her husband Aleister Black had been released by WWE causing doubt about her returning. Black was released on June 2.
Per the report, Vega was listed on internal documents in June as a female heel on the SmackDown brand. They weren’t able to confirm specific creative plans. Although she didn’t return in June, there were talks of her being added to the roster in the hopes that she would be involved in time for Money in the Bank. There are no updates or plans known for Black returning at this time.
With two spots left for the eight-woman Money in the Bank Ladder Match, it can be assumed that Morgan will get her spot. This leaves one woman left. Live crowds return on the July 16 episode of SmackDown and will continue moving forward for their first tour back including the Money in the Bank event. on July 18.
So far the women’s matches for Money in the Bank include:
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Charlotte Flair – RAW Women’s Championship
“I Quit” Match
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Money in the Bank Match
Asuka, Nikki Cross, Alexa Bliss, Naomi, Carmella, Zelina Vega, TBD, TBD
What do you think of Zelina Vega’s return and how do you think the MITB event is shaping up? Join the discussion in the comment section below.
