Saraya (fka Paige) reflects on early WWE struggles to remain authentic in her gimmick

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya (fka Paige) established herself as a pathbreaker in the industry through her work in WWE. She recently opened up on her struggles to maintain her look during her early days in the sports entertainment juggernaut.

After signing a deal with WWE in 2011, Saraya debuted for the company’s then-developmental territory FCW the following year under the ring name Paige. The Anti-Diva proceeded to have star-making runs in NXT and afterward in the main roster until an injury forced her to retire in 2018.

During a recent interview with Knotfest, Saraya discussed being asked to change her unique style and presentation by former FCW trainer Bill DeMott so as to better fit the standard visual aesthetics of the ‘WWE diva.’ She claimed to have refused to make such alterations and supposedly was backed by the legendary Dusty Rhodes in her efforts at maintaining an authentic look.

“Once I got to FCW, the main trainer there tried to change the way I look too and I was so adamant about sticking to my guns when it comes to clothing and stuff. Dusty Rhodes, rest in peace, he was also an advocate for me for being like myself as well. So anytime Bill [DeMott] would tell me I need to be more divaish, I’m like, ‘Well, I didn’t get signed the first time for trying to be something different, I’m going to keep being myself.’”

Saraya also emphasized the importance of her presentation for the success she found in the promotion.

“I feel like I represented a lot of girls that were, I call them freaks and geeks, the outcasts, misfits, all that kind of stuff. The people that think they could never do something like that because of the way the girls were represented back then. So, that was very much my core message and I’m so happy that I stuck to my guns with that because If I would have changed in any way, I wouldn’t have been nearly as successful,” said Saraya. [H/T – Fightful]

Saraya returned to in-ring action following her AEW debut in 2022.

Ex-WWE star Saraya on her All Elite absence

Saraya has been missing from All Elite Wrestling television since her loss to Jamie Hayter on Grand Slam Collision last year. She also appeared on the October 8, 2024, episode of Dynamite, where she competed in a four-way #1 contender’s match. The Diva of Tomorrow inked a new deal with the Tony Khan-led company some time ago but has been on a hiatus from its programming for a while now.

Speaking toThe Buzzat the American Reality Television Awards in November 2024, Saraya revealed that she was “taking a little break” in order to focus on her other projects. She also discussed having finished filming for an episode of MTV’s Catfish.

It remains to be seen when the former WWE Divas Champion will be back in action in All Elite Wrestling.