Paige, whose real name is Saraya Bevis, was once one of the most prominent and trailblazing female superstars in WWE. Her journey with the company, however, came to a close in July 2022 after a series of career-altering events, most notably severe injuries and a lack of creative direction for her character.
Meteoric Rise and Early Success
Paige debuted in WWE’s developmental territory NXT in 2011 and quickly made history by becoming the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion. Her main roster debut in 2014 was equally sensational: she defeated AJ Lee to win the WWE Divas Championship on her very first night, instantly establishing herself as a force in the women’s division. Over the next few years, Paige became a two-time Divas Champion and was central to the women’s wrestling revolution in WWE.
Career Setbacks: Injuries and Wellness Policy Suspensions
Despite her early success, Paige’s WWE career was marred by injuries and controversy. In 2016, she suffered a significant neck injury that forced her into hiatus. During this period, she also faced two suspensions for violations of WWE’s Wellness Policy. While Paige and her family stated these were due to prescribed medication for her injury, WWE maintained that she had tested positive for an illegal substance.
Paige underwent neck surgery in late 2016 and was eventually cleared to return to in-ring competition in 2017. However, her comeback was short-lived. In December 2017, during a live event, she suffered another neck injury after taking a kick from Sasha Banks. This injury was severe enough to force her into early retirement from in-ring competition, as announced on Raw in April 2018.
Transition to Non-Wrestling Roles
After her in-ring retirement, Paige remained with WWE in various non-wrestling roles. She served as the General Manager of SmackDown and occasionally appeared as a commentator or special guest. Despite her popularity, WWE did not have a consistent creative direction for her, and she was largely absent from major storylines in her final years with the company.
Departure from WWE
On June 10, 2022, Paige announced that she would be leaving WWE when her contract expired on July 7, 2022, ending her nearly 11-year tenure. She clarified that the decision was not hers, stating, “WWE doesn’t want to re-sign me. It’s not my decision. I don’t want anyone to think it’s my decision to walk away”. Paige expressed her desire to stay longer but acknowledged that WWE had no plans for her at the time.
Life After WWE
Following her WWE departure, Saraya (formerly Paige) joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she competed under her real name. In early 2025, she announced her departure from AEW as well, citing a lack of fitting storylines and a desire not to take up a spot that could go to someone else. She has since expressed openness to a potential WWE return if the right opportunity arises, but as of now, she is not active in WWE.
Legacy
Paige’s impact on WWE is undeniable. She helped usher in a new era for women’s wrestling, inspired a generation of female performers, and even had a feature film, Fighting with My Family, based on her life. Her story is one of resilience in the face of adversity, and her legacy continues to resonate with fans around the world.
In Summary: Paige is no longer in WWE primarily due to career-ending neck injuries and the company’s decision not to renew her contract when they had no creative plans for her. Despite her absence, she remains a beloved and influential figure in professional wrestling.
