Former WWE Star Credits Cody Rhodes and John Cena for Extended Match Time
A former WWE star acknowledged the contributions of Cody Rhodes and John Cena for providing additional time during a championship match against Giulia, which she regarded as one of her career highlights. Xelina, previously known as Zelina Vega, shared her experience on the 'Ring the Belle' podcast, detailing how the match on August 1, 2025, for the Women's United States Championship benefited from the stars' influence.
Initially, the match was allocated only seven to eight minutes, but as the event unfolded, Rhodes informed Xelina that he and Cena had saved an extra ten minutes for them. This unexpected change led to a moment of panic for Xelina and Giulia, who had not prepared for a longer match. Despite the surprise, they quickly adapted and executed their planned spots during the bout.
Xelina emphasized her close friendship with Giulia and their prior preparations, which included practicing together at Xelina's home. She noted that aside from her match at Backlash 2023, this championship bout was among her favorites.
