WWE Backlash 2023: Why Zelina Vega Threw Chancla (Flip Flop) At Rhea Ripley

WWE

Fans watching WWE’s premium live event, Backlash 2023 might have been a little confused about why Zelina Vega threw a flip flop at Rhea Ripley.

While Michael Cole on commentary sort of explained, noting:

“La Chancla, Ladies and Gentlemen. And for those of you that have Latino heritage, you will get the significance of this, that was handed to her from her Mom, Monique,” 

As Zelina Vega threw the flip flop at Rhea, Cole referenced that there were plenty of children who understood the reference.

But for those of you who do not, the short answer is that it is a common (and well earned) stereotype that Latino Moms will bust out ‘la chancla’ in regards to a naughty or mouthy child getting punished.

While there are usually two main routes by which one is smacked by la chancla, either through heat seeking missile-esq precision of a throw similarly to displayed by Zelina Vega during the match or even getting actually spanked with the shoe.

It should be noted that while the concept was made light of during this segment taking place in front of a thunderous San Juan, Puerto Rico crowd, there have been efforts in recent years to ‘end chancla culture‘ by abolishing the normalization of the corporal punishment technique exerted by generations of Latino Moms.

However also it should be noted, if anyone has ever truly ‘deserved’ la chancla, it is absolutely Rhea Ripley in this unique instance.

Elsewhere from tonight’s WWE Backlash, Zelina Vega had an emotional moment ahead of the big match against Rhea Ripley and afterwards, her real life husband, AEW star Malakai Black took to Twitter to comment on the match. 

To keep up with all the news coming out of tonight’s WWE premium live event, WWE Backlash 2023 you can click this link. 

The full card for Backlash was as follows:

San Juan Street Fight – Bad Bunny vs. Damian Priest

Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle vs. Solo Sikoa & The Usos

SmackDown Women’s Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Zelina Vega

Raw Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair (c) vs. IYO SKY

United States Championship – Austin Theory (c) vs. Bronson Reed vs. Bobby Lashley

Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs. Omos

ZELINA VEGA WITH THE CHANCLA #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/B8JUyQ1nPK

— Nope (@FAR5Blue) May 7, 2023

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• Chancla
• Zelina Vega
• rhea ripley
• wwe

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