Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE has commented on her stunning AEW debut at Grand Slam.
On July 7th Saraya’s WWE contract expired making her a free agent for the first time in over a decade. Despite remining under contract with WWE, the star hadn’t wrestled since late 2017 as a result of a serious neck injury which forced her to announce her retirement.
However, following the expiry of her contract many expected the British star to make the jump to AEW, something she even teased herself in a Twitter back-and-forth with Britt Baker.
After months of speculation, the debut many fans hoped for finally came to pass as Saraya walked out at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam to a monster ovation from the New York crowd. The first-ever NXT Women’s Champion arrived as Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter, Rebel and Serena Deeb were putting a beating on Toni Storm and Athena. Although the star didn’t get physically involved, the heels scarpered from the ring.
Posting on social media in the hours after her debut, Saraya said that she “couldn’t be happier” to be in AEW.
“F*cking WOW! Absolutely blown away by the pop in the stadium and the reception outside of it. Been a long journey. Couldn’t be happier to be in @AEW thank you to everyone! and thank you to my babe @RonnieRadke for letting me use his song Zombified! LFG!!”
Fucking WOW! Absolutely blown away by the pop in the stadium and the reception outside of it. Been a long journey. Couldn’t be happier to be in @AEW thank you to everyone! 🥹🥹 and thank you to my babe @RonnieRadke for letting me use his song Zombified! LFG!! ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9czsEWUcot
— SARAYA (@Saraya) September 22, 2022
Just moment 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.