Saraya made her name in WWE as the history-making Paige. The multi-time champion shocked the wrestling world by returning from a career-ending neck injury inside the AEW ring, but she is once again a free agent. New details on Saraya’s wrestling status and future have emerged.
Tony Khan signed the former Paige of WWE to major fanfare in 2022, while she was retired from in-ring action due to a December 2017 neck injury. Saraya wrestled for the first tie in 1,788 days when she defeated Britt Baker at AEW Full Gear. The controversial star held the Women’s World Championship for 44 days, but only worked 27 matches for the Jacksonville-based company. Saraya’s AEW run had its highlights, but many people were frustrated throughout, and disappointed with how it ended.
The Norfolk Doll recently spoke with The Orlando Sentinel to promote her memoir released on March 25, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, and her podcast that launched the same day, Rulebreakers with Saraya. The 32-year-old confirmed she is enjoying her hiatus from the ring, and that she’s hoping to return to in-ring action in 2026.
Saraya was described as “emphatic” about taking time to appreciate life away from the ring. She has not wrestled since the Fatal 4 Way won by Willow Nightingale during AEW Dynamite on October 8, 2024. Despite the hiatus, the second-generation talent is enjoying herself.
“It feels good to take a little break from wrestling and then see the outpouring of love from people saying they want me back. … I just want to get my feet wet outside of wrestling for a little bit and take care of myself this year. It’s consumed me my whole life. All 32 years of my life has been wrestling, so I just want to find myself a little bit outside it and next year, maybe come back,” Saraya said.
Saraya aka Paige Claims No Recent Talks With WWE
WWE fans have called on Triple H to make Paige’s comeback happen ever since she dished on her AEW contract and love for the Stamford-based promotion back in January while talking to TMZ. She talked positively about both companies and noted that her AEW deal was expiring this coming September. The UK star ended up announcing her departure on March 26.
The Anti-Diva has expressed interest in returning to WWE amid heavy rumors and speculation. In her new interview with The Orlando Sentinel, Saraya claimed she has not had any recent talks with WWE about a return. It should be noted that the interview was conducted on June 17 and was just published today.
“I haven’t had a conversation with them. I know, I always get tagged in everything, as soon as there’s a mystery going around, they’re like, ‘Hey, she’s coming back.’ But no. I love the WWE, but no,” Saraya said.
Saraya’s last singles bout took place two weeks before the aforementioned Fatal 4 Way on Dynamite. The Collision Grand Slam episode featured a Saraya’s Rules match, which saw Hayter get the win. Her last WWE match was the unfortunate non-televised live event bout on December 27, 2017 in Uniondale, NY.