
In a move that left fans reeling, WWE recently announced the release of Zelina Vega, citing her decision to maintain an OnlyFans account as the tipping point. This action followed WWE's strict new policy, championed by CEO Vince McMahon, which bars wrestlers from using third-party platforms like Twitch and OnlyFans for additional income.
The announcement came with a standard corporate farewell: “WWE has come to terms on the release of Zelina Vega. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.” But behind this formal statement, the reality was a brewing conflict between Vega and WWE's management.
Vega, whose real name is Thea Trinidad, launched her OnlyFans account featuring exclusive content like cosplay, lingerie, and swimsuit photos for a monthly subscription of US$30. This move directly challenged WWE's directive, which had already put wrestlers in a quandary over their Twitch streams.
“Thea Trinidad put WWE's management in a difficult position by starting her OnlyFans account,” reported Sports Illustrated.
Vega, a notable Twitch streamer in her own right, wasn't on board with WWE's new policy that mandates any streaming be done under the WWE banner, a stipulation that has been controversial among the wrestlers.
Just before her release, Vega tweeted in favor of unionization, a sentiment echoed by her former colleague Paige, who shared insights on the topic online. The timing of her tweet and subsequent firing has added fuel to the discussion on labor rights within the wrestling industry.
Vega had shown promise in her WWE career, initially starting as a manager for Andrade and eventually venturing into singles competition. Her recent challenge for the Raw Women’s Championship against Asuka at Clash of Champions was a testament to her rising profile. The decision to let her go has sparked a wave of anger and disappointment among fans, who see this as a loss for the wrestling community.
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