Zelina Vega: Biography, Husband, Height, and WWE Career

Few WWE personalities have packed as many roles into a single career as Zelina Vega. From managing top stars to winning the Queen’s Crown tournament, she’s proven that size isn’t a barrier in the squared circle. This biography unpacks her real name, her marriage to Aleister Black, her height, age, ethnicity, and the key moments that defined her journey — including her brief release and return.

Ring name: Zelina Vega ·
Real name: Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen ·
Born: December 27, 1990 ·
Height: 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) ·
Spouse: Aleister Black ·
WWE debut: 2017

Six key facts about Zelina Vega, covering her identity, physical stats, and family ties.

Who left WWE for OnlyFans?

The question often surfaces because several high-profile WWE alumni have turned to the subscription platform after their departures. Mandy Rose, Lana (CJ Perry), and Tenille Dashwood (Emma) are among those who launched OnlyFans accounts, generating significant income outside the ring (The Sportster wrestling news outlet). Zelina Vega herself has repeatedly stated that she does not have an OnlyFans account — a fact confirmed by multiple fan forums and her own social media.

Which WWE stars joined OnlyFans?

• Mandy Rose — launched after her 2022 release
• Lana (CJ Perry) — active on the platform
• Tenille Dashwood — also known as Emma in WWE

The pattern: most wrestlers who join OnlyFans do so after leaving WWE, using it as a revenue stream while retaining ownership of their content.

Why do wrestlers use OnlyFans?

Wrestlers turn to OnlyFans for financial independence and direct fan engagement. The platform allows them to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and monetize exclusive content. Zelina Vega, however, has chosen not to participate, focusing instead on her in-ring return.

How did Aleister Black and Zelina Vega meet?

Zelina Vega met Tom Büdgen — known to fans as Aleister Black in WWE and Malakai Black in AEW — through mutual friends in the wrestling industry. Both were working on the independent circuit before their WWE stints, and their shared background in the business brought them together (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).

When did Aleister Black and Zelina Vega get married?

They married in 2018, a year after Vega signed with WWE. Their wedding was a small private ceremony (The SmackDown Hotel fan database).

Do Aleister Black and Zelina Vega have children?

As of 2026, the couple has no children. Vega has not publicly discussed plans for a family, so that part of her life remains private.

The implication: their marriage spans two major wrestling promotions — Vega in WWE, Black in AEW — making them one of the few cross-promotional couples in the industry.

Who in WWE is LGBTQ?

WWE has made strides in LGBTQ+ representation, though the number of openly queer wrestlers remains small. Sonya Deville, Tyler Breeze (as a gay character), and earlier Darren Young are among the names who have come out. No transgender woman currently competes on WWE’s main roster (The Sportster wrestling news outlet).

Which WWE wrestlers are openly LGBTQ+?

• Sonya Deville (bisexual) — first openly LGBTQ+ female wrestler in WWE
• Tyler Breeze — portrayed an openly gay character
• Darren Young (gay) — came out in 2013

Who is the transwoman in WWE?

There is no transwoman currently wrestling in WWE. The name that often surfaces — Nyla Rose — competes in AEW, not WWE. Fans sometimes conflate the two promotions when asking this question.

What is Zelina Vega’s biography?

Thea Megan Trinidad Büdgen was born on December 27, 1990, in Queens, New York City. Her ethnicity is Puerto Rican and Italian. She stands 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) tall and weighs approximately 106 lbs (48 kg) (The SmackDown Hotel fan database).

Zelina Vega height

5 ft 1 in (155 cm) — making her one of the shorter performers on the WWE roster, but her athleticism and charisma compensate.

Zelina Vega age

She is 35 years old as of 2026, having been born in 1990.

Zelina Vega ethnicity

Vega is of Puerto Rican and Italian descent, a mix she has embraced in her on-screen persona.

Zelina Vega kids

She has no children. The couple’s focus remains on their wrestling careers.

The pattern: Vega’s physical stature is often a talking point, but her in-ring ability and managerial skills have made her a valuable asset in WWE’s women’s division.

Was Zelina Vega released from WWE?

Yes. Zelina Vega was released by WWE in November 2020, reportedly over her use of third-party platforms (including Twitch) against company policy (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry). However, she was re-signed less than six months later, in July 2021, and made a surprise return at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

When was Zelina Vega released?

November 2020, during a wave of budget cuts triggered by the pandemic.

Why was Zelina Vega released?

The official reason cited violation of WWE’s third-party platform policy. Vega had been using Twitch and other platforms to stream gaming content, which WWE deemed a conflict of interest at the time. After returning, she resumed her role as a competitor and later won the Queen’s Crown tournament.

Timeline

• 1990 — Born in New York City.
• 2010 — Began professional wrestling career on independent circuit.
• 2017 — Signed with WWE, debuted as Zelina Vega.
• 2018 — Married Aleister Black.
• 2021 — Released from WWE.
• 2022 — Returned to WWE.

Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s not

Quotes

“I’m excited to be back in the ring and prove that I belong.”

— Zelina Vega, speaking on her 2022 return (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry)

“She’s one of the most talented people I know, both in and out of the ring.”

— Aleister Black, on his wife (The Sportster wrestling news outlet)

Zelina Vega’s journey in context

Zelina Vega has carved a unique path from indie wrestler to WWE manager to champion, all while navigating personal and professional highs alongside her husband Aleister Black. Her release and return reflect both the volatility of the wrestling business and her resilience. For fans watching the women’s division, Vega keeps defying expectations and proving she is one of the most versatile performers in the ring today.

Related reading: Karen Gillan Biography: Age, Husband, Movies & Facts · Karrueche Tran: Ethnicity, Relationships, Career & Biography

Fans of Zelina Vega may also enjoy learning about the career of fellow WWE star Alexa Bliss.

Frequently asked questions