WWE has silently shortened Zelina Vega’s ring name to just “Zelina”, a change first noticed on the company’s official website and roster page. This adjustment eliminates the familiar “Vega” surname without any on-air explanation or announcement, reflecting WWE’s ongoing trend of streamlining wrestler names into single-word monikers.
The Change: From Zelina Vega to Simply Zelina
The WWE.com roster page now lists her exclusively as Zelina, removing all references to “Vega” from the bio header while maintaining her accomplishments, such as her victory in the Queen’s Crown Tournament and her WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship run with Carmella. Despite the name alteration, Zelina continues as an active and competitive presence, especially on the SmackDown brand[1][4].
This rebranding pattern aligns with WWE’s historical practice of modifying wrestler names for branding consistency or character evolution. Stars like Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Moné outside WWE), and others have similarly experienced name adjustments over time. However, WWE has yet to address this specific change during televised programming or through official statements[1].
Zelina’s 2025 Journey and Growing Stardom
In 2025, Zelina’s career has seen notable developments. She was moved to SmackDown in late January, departing from the Latino World Order faction to embark on a significant singles career path[2][5]. On April 25, 2025, she captured the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Championship by defeating Chelsea Green—a milestone as her first-ever singles title in WWE[2][5]. She successfully defended the title in a rematch at Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXIX, demonstrating her rising prominence[2].
Though her reign ended after 63 days when Giulia defeated her in late June, Zelina remained a key figure on SmackDown, engaging in competitive matches and storylines. Her subsequent storyline aligned her alongside her real-life husband, Aleister Black, marking a heel turn after the October 10 episode of SmackDown, further fueling interest in her evolving character.
What Does This Name Change Mean for Zelina’s WWE Future?
Industry insiders suggest that dropping the “Vega” surname might be a deliberate move by WWE to refresh Zelina’s character and potentially reposition her in new storylines. According to a WWE insider familiar with backstage decisions,
“This kind of name simplification often signals WWE’s intent to sharpen a performer’s brand identity, making it easier for fans to connect with a more focused persona. Zelina’s alignment with Aleister Black and her recent heel turn could be part of a larger creative plan that we’ll see unfold soon.”[1]
While the name tweak alone doesn’t guarantee major storyline shifts, it may reflect WWE’s strategy to elevate Zelina as a standalone star rather than primarily being known in association with her family name or previous factions.
Fan and Industry Reactions
The change sparked conversation among fans and wrestling media, with many debating if WWE should provide on-screen explanations for such branding decisions. Some view these alterations as routine corporate polish, while others believe more transparency would better respect fans’ investment in wrestlers’ identities.
Wrestling journalist voices echoing the sentiment say,
“WWE’s quiet rebranding moves sometimes leave fans puzzled. With no explanation on TV, these changes rely purely on fan observance and speculation. Yet, Zelina’s momentum on SmackDown means the results of this subtle shift may speak louder than words in the coming weeks.”[1]
Summary: A Quiet Yet Meaningful Update in Zelina’s WWE Career
WWE has dropped the surname “Vega” from Zelina’s ring name without formal announcement, reflecting a subtle but potentially significant rebranding effort. The streamlined identity matches WWE’s recurring pattern of emphasizing single-name superstars and aligns with Zelina’s recent career redemption on SmackDown, highlighted by her first singles title and new alliances.
Whether this change foreshadows a new creative direction or simply simplifies her branding, Zelina remains a prominent fixture in WWE storylines, especially as she partners with Aleister Black. Fans and insiders alike await further developments to see how this name adjustment will play into her wrestling narrative going forward.