Saraya Opens Up About Her Future and Longing to Be Paige Again in WWE
Saraya, once known as Paige in WWE, has once again become the center of speculation in the wrestling world. Now a free agent after ending her time with All Elite Wrestling, she recently opened up about the possibility of returning to WWE and revisiting the character that made her a star. During a candid appearance on the podcast Insight with Chris Van Vliet, she reflected on her departure from AEW, her admiration for her former WWE persona, and what might come next.
Her exit from AEW was not the result of controversy or creative disputes. In fact, Saraya praised AEW President Tony Khan for how professionally the situation was handled. She admitted that she felt there were no meaningful goals left for her in the company. Aside from a potential match with Mercedes Moné, she no longer saw a clear purpose in staying. Instead of remaining under contract without being used, she approached Khan and suggested parting ways. He agreed, allowing her to leave on her own terms.
With her future wide open, the conversation naturally turned to the idea of returning to WWE. When asked if she could appear at an upcoming event such as WWE Evolution, Saraya said she could realistically be back in WWE as early as tomorrow. Though she did not confirm any concrete plans, her openness fueled rumors that a surprise return could be imminent.
The most emotional moment of the interview came when Saraya was asked whether she would return using her current name or revive her old ring name. Without hesitation, she said she would choose to be Paige. According to her, Paige was not just a character but a powerful and elevated version of herself. She described Paige as fierce, loud, passionate, and unafraid. In contrast, she felt that her AEW persona was more comedic and self-deprecating, a creative decision she now regrets.
Saraya explained that she initially avoided resembling her WWE character in AEW because she wanted to avoid comparisons. However, she admitted that she eventually missed the intensity and depth of Paige. Reflecting on her time in AEW, she said the version of herself she portrayed there had limitations and did not allow her to fully embrace the strength and charisma that defined her WWE run.
Her time in WWE was cut short in 2018 due to a neck injury that forced her into retirement. Despite no longer being able to compete, she remained active in a managerial role and even appeared at the first WWE Evolution event that year. After being cleared to return to action in 2022, she joined AEW and made her comeback against Britt Baker at Full Gear. Her biggest AEW moment came in 2023 at Wembley Stadium, where she captured the AEW Women’s Championship in a four-way match.
Since announcing her departure from AEW in March, Saraya has shifted her focus to outside projects, including her autobiography titled Hell in Boots. Still, the idea of returning to WWE and stepping back into the role of Paige remains very much alive in her heart. Whether it happens this weekend or months from now, fans around the world are hoping that the anti-diva will rise again.