Zelina Vega reflects on the overwhelming reaction she received at WWE backlash 2023 in front of a raucous crowd in Puerto Rico.
Zelina Vega wrestled Rhea Ripley for the WWE SmackDown Women's Title in San Juan, Puerto Rico at WWE Backlash. From the moment she arrived in the arena, she was overcome with emotion as her gear represented the Puerto Rican flag and she received a standing ovation from the thousands in attendance.
The match itself, despite Vega coming up short, was also emotionally charged. Vega got to wrestle in front of her family and even throw her mother's chancla at Ripley. After the match, she received another standing ovation, and on Instagram, she reflected on the entire experience including Triple H telling her that he was proud of her.
Yo soy Boricua…pa’que tu lo sepas!!! ---- --
I woke up this morning with happy tears rolling down my face and PRAAAAYING that it wasn’t a dream like it always was.I wish I could hug every. single. one of you in the audience and everyone sending their love from home. You have NO IDEA how much this meant to me. This weekend.. my life changed forever. I’m so honored.. so grateful and feel incredibly blessed to have had the support I had last night.. from the fans, my beautiful family, my hero’s, to my coworkers.. to finally hearing HHH say “I’m so proud of you.” …and he was talking to me this time -- I’m crying even typing this. To represent my people IN Puerto Rico.. man, I’ll never ever forget this.. neither will my family.. and I promise, you’ll get all of me EVERY TIME. This is not over, this is just the beginning.. someday I will become @wwe Women’s Champion.
“A hero is not one who never falls, it’s the one who gets up again and again.. never losing sight of their dreams.” - Rock Lee
MASSIVE THANK YOU to the village that created the masterpiece I wore yesterday. @herhandstyles stayed with me every step of the way making sure my hair was on point! #teamNOsleep @usamaishtay worked so hard on the whole outfit AND BEAUTIFUL FLAG.. I felt like a super hero, a princess and rockstar all at once! #LaReina @bfabulous1 slayed my make up and made sure that no matter how hard I cried, I’d still glitter like gold! @mache275 them crystals bruh!!! -- insanely iconic kicks! @tansby_lp for getting my tan just right and accentuating my abs --
I’m SO LUCKY to have you all ----Puerto Rico.. I love you!!
#LWO mi familia.. I’m honored to stand alongside all of you. Thank you for having my back and inspiring me to keep fighting. @619iamlucha @escobarwwe @joaquinwilde_ @deltoro_wwe @badbunnypr @iambeckygAnd now, I get to be the arms of my 7 fur babies & my incredibly supportive and loving husband @malakaiblxck .. I wouldn’t be where I am personally or professionally without him. Have to say, hitting the 619 for Rey, shimmying for Eddie Guerrero and then dropping Rhea with a meteora for my husband was the coolest thing ever.
Daddy, I love you
Vega has been with WWE since 2017. She was briefly released before returning in 2021. Backlash was her first singles title opportunity on pay-per-view.
Fans can find Fightful's coverage of WWE Backlash by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of the action by clicking here.
