Paige’s WWE contract has officially expired and she’s now a free agent, but Booker T doesn’t think it’ll be long before she’s back in the fold.
Paige surprised many when she revealed she’d be departing WWE. Announcing the shock development on 10 June, her free agency came into effect on Thursday, 7 July, ending the 29-year-old’s eleven-year career with the organisation.
Support has poured in for ‘The Anti-Diva over the past month, thanking her for the memories she had created. However, Booker T isn’t too sure she’s really gone for good, believing the real-life Saraya-Jade Bevis will one day return to WWE.
Speaking on his Reality of Wrestling podcast, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer claimed that he wouldn’t be shocked to see Paige return to the company, provided they clear her to compete again:
“She had a hell of a run as Paige. I thought that gimmick was over. I think being out there right now, she’ll still be able to do her thing and perhaps I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Paige back in WWE if circumstances work out for her getting back in the ring and proving that she can still do this thing from a safe perspective.
I hated it when Paige had to be sidelined because she was different and so unique – and you don’t find that every day in this business. For me, seeing Paige leave WWE will open up more doors for her, and like I said, I’m not going to be surprised if I see her back in the WWE within the next 12 months.”
Paige has been announced for her first post-WWE appearance at Starrcast V. A return to her old stomping grounds of World Association of Wrestling – founded by her parents – has also been scheduled for 15 October. By the looks of things, she’ll now be known simply as Saraya.
Whether or not she wrestles again remains to be seen. The inaugural NXT Women’s Champion was deemed medically retired from the ring due to neck issues, but she’s remained with WWE in a non-wrestling capacity for the past four years.