Current WWE Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega is riding high on the most successful singles run of her career — but according to her, it could’ve been even wilder if WWE had accepted her recent match pitches.
Speaking on the Lightweights podcast, Vega opened up about the “Bakersfield Brawl” she had with Piper Niven on SmackDown just before the Money In The Bank event. She revealed that she proposed several over-the-top hardcore spots for the bout, which WWE officials ultimately rejected for safety and creative reasons.
“My first hardcore match ever,” Vega said. “I was like, ‘Oh, can I jump off the tron?’ They’re just like, ‘No, no you can’t. We still need to save some oohs and aahs for Money In The Bank tomorrow and you need to just live, you know?’ I’m like, ‘Eventually, I’m going to do it.’”
Vega credited Jeff Hardy as her inspiration, calling herself a “huge Jeff Hardy mark” growing up and saying she wants to emulate his daredevil stunts at some point in her career.
Among the other ideas she floated? A ladder-based high spot and even a “barbed wire chancla” — a twist on the traditional sandal often associated with Latino culture.
“I asked to use ladders, and I said I wanted to hit her with a barbed wire chancla. I thought it was genius! But they were like, ‘Let’s save the craziness for the pay-per-view,’ and told me to take it easy.”
Though her wilder concepts didn’t make it to air, Vega’s energy and creativity continue to shine in her current championship reign.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for the latest on Zelina Vega, WWE’s Women’s Division, and more stories from behind the scenes.
