Zelina Vega asked to speak to Vince McMahon after she was notified of release, but was denied.
Vega was released from her WWE contract on Nov. 13 for breach of contract as confirmed by Sports Illustrated. As we reported earlier, WWE has instituted a ban on their Superstars from using third-party services to earn money. The two main outlets that WWE e4banned were Twitch and Cameo. Vega used both services.
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However, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back and led to Zelina Vega’s firing was OnlyFans. Vega began using OnlyFans to post cosplay photos for her fans under a different name. However, this gets a little weird because WWE seemly gave the all clear to Superstars, as long as they used their non-WWE or real name. It could be that OnlyFans is usually used for less than PG applications and WWE doesn’t like to be associated with that stuff anymore. WWE advertising Superstars in Playboy or Playgirl is a thing of the past.
You’re Fired!!!
Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano was the person to actually fire her. If I had to be fired I’d definitely want Vince to do it Attitude Era style. Following her firing Zelina Vega asked to speak to Vince. Her intentions, I’m sure, were to plead her case and let Vince know how much Superstars like using Twitch and other third-party services to interact with fans.
However, Vega was told that Vince didn’t want to speak with her and was escorted out of the building.
Vince was reportedly very upset with Vega for skirting the ban by using OnlyFans. WWE I’m sure took it as an act of defiance. WWE felt like Zelina Vega put them in a difficult situation. Her firing is a clear statement to the rest of the roster that this new third-party ban is being taken very seriously.
Zelina Vega Was One Of Vince’s Favorites
What makes this firing even more serious is that Vince was a huge fan of Zelina Vega, according to an interview she did with D-Von Dudley on his podcast, Table Talk, in September. Vince even compared her to former Women’s Champion Stephanie McMahon.
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“It’s weird because I think that too and I’m like, you know what? If quarantine didn’t happen, not saying that I wouldn’t have had these opportunities, but maybe it would have taken a little bit longer,” Vega told Dudley. “And also, Becky’s having her baby so there are people that are not here so that just leaves spots to fill and for me, I’m like, ‘Give me the ball! If I drop it, screw me!’ But you lose nothing and I was always ready for that and I think it started with Drew [McIntyre] when we had that back and forth. I was like, ‘Man, he’s like my other promo half.’ It was just perfect.”
“Whenever it happened, it was just magic with him and it’s interesting because before even quarantine happened, Vince would always say, ‘You’re one of my favorites. You’re one of the reasons that I watch RAW. I love your character.’ It was such an honor to hear that because one of the things that he used to say to me was, ‘You remind me of Stephanie because she was always working out there. You’re a cutaway machine. I love that about you’ and first of all, I was like, ‘Are you serious?’ Legit, I was going to cry.
I love Stephanie. She’s a huge inspiration when it comes to me and the Zelina character, but it’s wild to think that if this quarantine didn’t happen, I wonder where I would be. I wonder if I’d be getting a RAW Women’s Title shot against Asuka.”
Zelina Vega And Stephanie McMahon: A Fair Comparison?
First of all. how do you not take your wrestling character being compared to Stephanie McMahon as anything but an insult? I like Stephanie and she has been part of a lot of storylines I’ve liked, but as a wrestler she is not good.
Zelina Vega has met with SAG-AFTRA in an attempt to unionize. Paige has also talked with an unionization lawyer. I don’t think WWE will unionize anytime soon, but this is an interesting possibility. Hopefully we will get updates on how the unionization process is going.
Do you think Zelina Vega’s firing was justified? What do you think she wanted to talk to Vince about? Do you think WWE will rehire Vega? Within the 365 days? Let us know what you think and if you think WWE will unionize.
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Sources: WrestlingHeadlines, Table Talk, Sports Illustrated
