Saraya, formerly known to WWE fans as Paige, recently opened up about her unexpected exclusion from the 2026 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble match. Speaking candidly on the Wrestling With Freddie podcast, she explained that the choice to exclude her was a WWE decision, not her own. Though many believed she would be the surprise number 30 entrant, the company ultimately made a different call.
Reflecting on the overwhelming fan support after she shared training videos online, Saraya became emotional, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of encouragement. Demonstrating her commitment to a wrestling comeback, she affirmed that she is training intensely and aims to return stronger than ever.
Emotional Response to Fan Support and Royal Rumble Memories
Discussing the fan backlash over her absence, Saraya revealed how deeply moved she was by the viral response to her training posts, which amassed around 18 million views across platforms. She recalled a poignant moment backstage during the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble, which coincided with when she was told she could no longer wrestle:
“So, you know, a lot of people were mad that I wasn’t in the Rumble. And a lot of people thought I was going to be number 30, too. And the amount I’ve never had — well, I’ve had that much support before, but I thought I had lost all that support because of like all my controversy, you know, but it was just absolutely bonkers. There was thousands of videos. There’s like across all platforms on just a couple of training videos, it was at 13 million a couple of days ago, and now it’s like 18 million. It’s at 18 million views now. Like, it is just absolutely insane. And I — I cried one day because of it cuz I’m just like, I can’t believe people still love me, you know, like this is crazy. And yeah, you know, I wish I could be in the Rumble and there was a viral video circulating of the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble. And it was the same year I got told that I couldn’t wrestle again, and no one knew it at the time. And then fast forward, I’d do my retirement speech day after WrestleMania, but no one knew at the time, so I wasn’t part of it. And I was backstage in Gorilla, and you know, I’m really emotional, and I was, you know, they have images of me backstage just crying, just being like, ‘This is what I’ve always dreamed of. This is what I want to be a part of. I hope you know, one day I can be a part of it again.’ So that video was it was viral as well, and everyone’s just like hoping that I was gonna be in this Rumble that I finally get to be a part of that that I’ve always dreamed of being a part of. So, yeah, it was incredible. I wish I was part of it, but there’s more to it. I mean, WWE has to make that decision, you know, not me.”
Rekindling Passion After AEW Disappointment
Saraya described how she temporarily lost enthusiasm for wrestling during her time with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She shared that although she enjoyed being part of AEW, dissatisfaction with her character and missed opportunities dampened her spirit. This downturn led her to step back and focus on improving herself physically and mentally.
She is now training again with renewed motivation, drawing inspiration from her time as Paige in WWE’s NXT, and confident she can still compete at a high level despite being 33 years old. Saraya assured fans that if she returns, she will surpass all previous performances.
“So, it’s like if you know, one day everyone obviously wants me to go back. I’m taking wrestling so seriously. I lost my passion for it for a second. I kind of fell out of love with it, and it was kind of making me miserable at one point, you know. I feel like the company I was in, I loved being in AEW. I had so much fun, but you know, the character I was doing, I wasn’t too happy with, and I wish I could have done certain matches and certain things, and it didn’t come to be, and it’s fine. Absolutely fine. That’s what was supposed to happen. But, yeah, I just kind of fell out of love with it. And so now I’m just like, I need to start training again. I need to get my *** back into shape. I need to be the Paige that I was in NXT, but better, you know? I can do it at 33 still. You know, I still got it. So, I started training in January, and I had told people I was going to start doing that months ago, and everyone thought I was just posting it for the Rumble. I was like, ‘No, I’ve been telling you guys, training in January. I’m doing this.’ And so, like, I do want to come back to wrestling. I do want to start getting in the swing of things again. And if I was to come back, I’ll be better than you’ve ever seen me. I can promise you that.”
Overcoming Addiction and Finding Strength in Sobriety
During her candid interview, Saraya revealed the darker period she faced while grappling with substance abuse. She recounted a time when she struggled heavily with drugs and alcohol, including failing drug tests and enduring intense personal crises. Despite a difficult low point that left people fearing for her life, she expressed gratitude for the experience and the lessons learned.
Her journey through recovery inspired many fans who reached out, crediting Saraya for motivating their own sobriety. She also discussed how WWE’s support played a crucial role in her turnaround.
“Yeah. Yeah. You know, I thought I mean, even when I, you know, I had that year and a half where I was just an absolute mess when it come to drinking, drugs, I was popping drug tests. I was like — there was leaks that happened to me, you know, all these crazy things happened, and I hit complete rock bottom. No pun intended with that rock bottom, but like I was in a really bad place and everyone did think I was going to die. I remember when I came back on the first day, and like Vince [McMahon] gave me a hug, Stephanie [McMahon], Hunter [Triple H], and they were like, ‘We thought we weren’t ever going to see you again. We thought you were going to die.’ You know, it was just it was a very rough patch that I went through. But again, I’m very grateful that, you know, some people wouldn’t say that they’re grateful for the bottom that they hit, but I’m very grateful for it cuz I feel like, you know, I’m the right person to take those things cuz I did come out the other side, and now I can help so many other people with it. And I get so many people talking to me about sobriety. And at my signings, people will come up to me and be like, ‘I got sober because of you.’ You know, and I just love that I’m inspiring people with, you know, the **** that I put myself through. And I’m grateful for it now, you know. I feel like I’m the perfect spokesperson. But yeah, no, I’m just I’m grateful. And you know, I wrote a book about it too, about everything.”
Title Inspiration Behind Saraya’s Memoir
Saraya named her book Hell in Boots, a phrase given to her by William Regal during her early wrestling days in FCW before it was renamed NXT. She was known for wrestling with a rough, aggressive style, standing out with her distinct look including Doc Martens boots, black hair, and piercings.
She shared how Regal’s nickname stuck with her and perfectly embodied her journey, which she described as a struggle through multiple near-death experiences, comparing herself to a cat with nine lives for her resilience.
“Hell in Boots. And it was called Hell in Boots because of uh William Regal, actually. And when I first got to FCW at the time, it wasn’t NXT. Um, you know, I was a little, you know, ass kicker. You know, I came in, I was very rough compared to the girls back then. And, you know, I was wearing Doc Martens. I had my black hair, piercings. I was very pale and stuff. And I used to wrestle like a guy, right? And so, William Regal used to say, you know, ‘Oh, she’s Helll in Boots,’ you know, so I loved that so much that I was like, ‘If I was to ever write a book one day, that is what I would be calling it.’ And it was just perfect. And then there was like a little subtitle, whatever, below, and it and I put, ‘Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives,’ because I think I’m like a cat in a previous life, you know? I always land on my feet somehow, and I survived so many different things.”
Turning Point: The Moment She Chose Sobriety
Saraya described a crucial experience in a grocery store that triggered her decision to get sober. A young fan’s admiration for her despite her visibly worn-down state made her confront the responsibility she held as a role model. This realization motivated her to make a significant change for the sake of her friends, family, and supporters.
“You know, for some people, like you can’t tell an addict they have a problem. They have to figure it out themselves, you know, but you can’t be there for them. And one of the most important things that I had is I got rid of all the toxic people in my life, and I surrounded myself — like that’s why I talked about in therapy. My therapist talks about this, is community is the most important thing that an addict needs, and also anyone going through depression and all that kind of stuff too. So, you know, I have my core group of people, my friends got sober with me, you know, and I thought that was amazing. They really helped me. My friends Joey and Raquel, who work with me on the podcast and stuff like that, too. They let me move in with them. I just decided one day I was like, ‘I can’t do this.’ And it’s because I went into a grocery store one day, and I was actually going to get liquor and stuff, you know, and I had this big mat in my hair cuz I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was really skinny, the skinniest I’ve ever been. And there was a little girl who was a fan of me in there, and she was just happy to see me. I was like a superhero to her, you know, and I thought, you know, being a role model, I had to be perfect. But she has no idea what I’m going through. She just thinks, ‘Oh man, this is Paige. You know, she was the Divas Champion kind of thing. She’s my, you know, she’s my hero, and I’m making her day.’ And something just clicked where I was just like, ‘Man, I want to be better for my friends, my family, my fans. Like, something needs to change.’”
WWE’s Role in Saraya’s Recovery and Comeback Efforts
Following her decision to change, Saraya contacted WWE, which immediately provided assistance by arranging drug and alcohol counseling and facilitating her return to training in Orlando. She expressed deep appreciation for WWE’s support, crediting them with helping save her life.
Her friends Joey and Raquel played a vital role by allowing her to live with them during the challenging early stages of sobriety. Though Saraya chose to quit substances cold turkey, she acknowledged that professional help is generally recommended for recovery. This network of support was a key factor in her turning point and ongoing progress.
“And so, I remember giving — and WWE helped me with this, too. I gave them a call, and they instantly was like, ‘Okay, let’s get you a drugs and alcohol counselor. Let’s bring you back to Orlando. Let’s like, you know, we want to help you, and we’ll get you back into training.’ And I thank them every day for that cuz they really helped save my life, you know. They never gave up on me and just appreciate that so much. And then I called my friends Joey and Raquel in Orlando, and they were like, ‘Come live with us,’ cuz they can keep an eye on me and make sure I’m doing the right thing, you know. And I went cold turkey with all of this, too. So it was really rough. And I wouldn’t recommend it to people to do cold turkey cuz it’s not healthy. I would like, you know, go get help, go to rehab, or whatever you need to do. But I went back to Orlando. I moved in with them straight away. They were like, ‘We’re going to get sober with you.’ And, you know, they’re still sober to this day. And so, it was really important to surround yourself with people that want to help you. And then also realize that you have a problem, you know, and so those are the things that clicked one day. It was like a light switch. It was such a weird feeling. I was just like, I don’t want to do this anymore, you know? I want to be better. And so, yeah, that helped change, and I thank WWE and my friends for that wholeheartedly.”
The Significance of Saraya’s Story and What Lies Ahead
Saraya’s vulnerability and honesty shed light on the difficulties faced by wrestling performers behind the scenes, including battling addiction, mental health challenges, and navigating career uncertainties. Her acknowledgment of WWE’s support and sincere desire to return stronger holds promise for a significant comeback.
Given her rigorous training and renewed mindset, Saraya’s eventual return could inspire both fans and fellow wrestlers. Her story underscores the importance of support systems and resilience within the high-pressure environment of professional wrestling. As WWE finalizes decisions regarding their roster and upcoming events, fans continue to hope for Saraya’s much-anticipated reappearance in the ring, especially at future Royal Rumble matches.
