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Zelina Vega Thanks The Rock & Ava For Heartwarming 9/11 Tribute

By Sondra Ruth • Published 12th September 2023
Zelina Vega The Rock Dwayne Johnson Simone Johnson Ava Raine

Zelina Vega sent a message of thanks after The Rock and his daughter Ava paid tribute to her father on 9/11.

September 11, 2001 was a day that rocked the course of history, but for Zelina Vega, the day has extra significance as she lost her father in the 9/11 attacks. Vega, real name Thea Trinidad Budgen, was just 10 years old at the time.

Paying tribute to that fateful day, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shared photos of him visiting the 9/11 Memorial at the site of the World Trade Center alongside his daughter Simone, better known as Ava in NXT. He specifically showed Michael Trinidad’s name on the memorial, showing that he was thinking of Zelina Vega on this day. In a heartfelt message, Johnson posted the following message on social media:

“My daughter Simone was less than one month old when 9/11 went down. I was in Texas at that time and drove back home to Florida as fast as possible to my family and made sure they were safe.

It’s what we all wanted to do. Keep our families safe and come together as a country. As one. Nothing else mattered. We all had each other’s backs. I believe deep down, despite all the noise – we all still have each others backs.

We all lost something or someone that day. But we also all had (and still have) the opportunity to live as greatly as we can in the spirit of those who lost their lives that day.

I’m grateful I can put my arms around my three daughters. Relentless in protecting them and our freedoms. Forever a proud patriot of our great country.

We will never forget. September 11th, 2001 History is always watching. Onward.”

“Thank You Fam” – Zelina Vega

Vega was clearly touched by the message, saying her father would be amazed by such a wonderful tribute. She wrote:

“Love you both. I could hear my Dad saying “Noooo freakin wayyyy” followed by the most contagious laugh.

Thank you fam @TheRock @avawwe_”

In a recent interview, Vega opened up about wanting to win a championship in WWE to honor her late father. She also named Ava as an up-and-coming NXT talent she’d love to face in the future, noting that she’s known the young star since she was a baby.