Saraya hasn’t competed inside the ring since 2017 but with her now signed to AEW could that all be about to change?
At AEW Dynamite Grand Slam Saraya became All Elite. The star walked out to a monster ovation from the New York crowd as she headed to the ring to confront Britt Baker, Serena Deeb and Jamie Hayter.
It was her first major appearance since her WWE contract expired on July 7th 2022. Although she had remained under contract, the British star hadn’t wrestled since December 2017 after suffering a second serious neck injury. Known as Paige at the time, she announced her retirement months later aged 25.
However, Saraya has made no secret of her desire to get cleared for an in-ring return. With her now outside of the WWE umbrella fans have wondered whether joining AEW could signal the re-starting of her in-ring career.
Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that AEW reached out to the star shortly after her contract with WWE expired. The report added that as of very recently, she still hadn’t been cleared to return.
“WWE kept her under contract until her deal expired on 7/7, and AEW had talked with her shortly after that. Tony Khan had promised a surprise or two in the days leading to the show. He had kept her name very quiet.
There is no answer to the question as to what role she will play, if she will wrestle regularly, sparingly, or not at all…
If she is going to wrestle, and can go at her prior level, she will be a good addition. But it was notable in her run-in she didn’t touch anyone, and with WWE, not only was she not allowed to wrestle, but nobody was allowed to touch her. We were told that she had not been cleared as of very recently, which would explain not touching anyone, but would like to be cleared.”
Just moments before the ex-WWE star’s debut, Toni Storm had successfully defended the Interim AEW Women’s World Title against Britt Baker, Athena and Serena Deeb.