Chapter One: The Reign Begins – Zelina Vega Becomes the Inaugural Queen of the Ring
With the 2025 King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments already underway and the finals set for Saturday, June 28th at WWE’s Night of Champions premium live event, all eyes are on who will be crowned royalty this year. But unlike past tournaments, the stakes are now even higher—because just like in 2024, both winners will not only walk away with a crown and royal title, but will also secure a world championship opportunity at the historic first-ever two-night SummerSlam later this year.
At LNC Wrestling (Late Night Crew Wrestling), we’re taking this moment to look back at the modern era of WWE royalty—those superstars who carved their names into history by winning their respective tournaments and embracing their time on the throne. But before we discuss the Kings—like Sheamus (2010), Wade Barrett (2015), and Baron Corbin (2019)—we consider ourselves gentlemen first.
So it’s only right that the Queens take center stage.
Our series begins with the woman who paved the way for all who followed—the one who set the royal precedent in WWE’s women’s division.
Zelina Vega: The First-Ever Queen of the Ring.
From Manager to Monarch: Zelina Vega’s Rise to Glory
Zelina Vega, born Thea Trinidad, began her WWE career as a manager, but it quickly became evident that she had the charisma, drive, and talent to be much more. First making waves in NXT as the cunning mouthpiece for Andrade “Cien” Almas, Vega’s presence elevated Andrade’s career and showcased her own sharp promo skills and commanding on-screen presence.
By 2020, Vega transitioned into in-ring competition, carving out her space on RAW and SmackDown. Though often overlooked in a crowded women’s division, her resilience and versatility kept her in the spotlight. In October 2021, WWE gave the women’s division something it had long deserved—a tournament counterpart to the prestigious King of the Ring.
Enter: the Queen’s Crown Tournament.
Making History: Queen’s Crown Tournament 2021
Zelina Vega wasn’t just another entrant—she was a woman with something to prove. The Queen’s Crown Tournament was about more than wins; it was about making a statement for the women of WWE. Vega started her path by defeating Toni Storm in the opening round, then outlasted Carmella in the semifinals, proving she had the cunning and skill to go the distance.
Her journey led her to the finals at Crown Jewel 2021, where she faced off against the powerful and intimidating Piper Niven (then known as Doudrop). The matchup was a classic clash of speed versus strength, strategy versus size.
The Finals: Vega vs. Niven – A Battle Worthy of Royalty
Under the bright lights of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the WWE Universe watched as two women with vastly different styles battled for a shot at immortality.
Piper Niven dominated the early minutes with her raw power, tossing Vega around the ring like a ragdoll. Every slam echoed through the stadium, and a crushing crossbody nearly ended the match right there. But Vega, ever the strategist, used her agility and ring awareness to avoid disaster, slipping away from Piper’s grip and targeting her legs with low kicks and strikes that slowed the larger woman down.
The tide turned when Vega countered a corner splash, escaping at the last second and driving Piper face-first into the turnbuckle. With the crowd beginning to rally, Vega hit a stunning satellite DDT, dazing Niven and shifting momentum. Seizing the moment, Vega climbed the ropes, measured her opponent, and executed a flawless Code Red—a high-impact flipping sunset bomb.
1… 2… 3.
And just like that, Zelina Vega made history.
She was crowned the first-ever Queen of the Ring, draped in royal robes, a scepter in hand, and a crown atop her head. But more than that, she stood as a symbol of perseverance, ambition, and achievement in a division that had long awaited this level of spotlight.
The Aftermath: A Reign Begins
Following her crowning, Vega fully embraced the royal gimmick, speaking with regal arrogance, flaunting her title, and adding flair to every entrance and segment. But she wasn’t just talk—just weeks after becoming Queen, she teamed with Carmella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, proving that her tournament victory was no fluke.
Though the tag reign was short-lived, it elevated Vega’s presence and legitimacy as both a singles competitor and a champion. Over the next few years, Vega remained a fan favorite, later aligning with Legado del Fantasma and becoming a central figure in WWE’s evolving women’s roster. Her real-life story of resilience and representation, especially as a proud Puerto Rican-American performer, continued to inspire.
Legacy of the First Queen
Zelina Vega didn’t just win a tournament—she helped establish a tradition. Her victory in 2021 set the tone for what the Queen of the Ring could be: a showcase of underdog heart, undeniable talent, and a platform to elevate rising stars. Every Queen who follows stands on the foundation she laid.
As the 2025 tournament nears its conclusion and a third Queen prepares to take the throne, the legacy of Queen Zelina still looms large—graceful, gutsy, and glorious.
Join us next time at LNC Wrestling as we continue our series with the second modern Queen: Nia Jax, whose path to the crown in 2024 was defined by pure destruction and redemption.
Long live the Queens.
And soon enough… the Kings will rise.
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