Saraya Parts Ways with AEW, Opens Door to Future Return

ATLANTA, GA — Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya has officially announced her departure from All Elite Wrestling, a decision she revealed in the first episode of her upcoming podcast set to premiere Thursday, March 27.

In the podcast, Saraya, who previously performed as Paige in WWE, stated, “I’m here to tell you that me and AEW’s relationship has come to an end. I had an amazing time there. There’s no bad blood between us. I had such a magical time.”

The English wrestler explained that her exit was not due to any issues with AEW’s founder, Tony Khan, but rather her own feelings of displacement within the organization. “And then I got to thinking — what is there left for me to do in wrestling right now? Right now, there’s really no storylines where I would fit in,” Saraya added. She expressed concern about potentially taking a spot that another wrestler could use to shine.

Despite her departure, Saraya has not closed the door on a possible return to AEW. “That’s not to say I will never come back to AEW — I absolutely love it,” she said. “I’m taking a little step back and focusing on myself for a bit.”

She also took a moment to express her gratitude toward AEW and its fans: “Thank you, AEW. Thank you to the AEW fans — I loved my f—ing time there. Tony’s f—ing awesome.” Saraya noted she would miss the camaraderie of the women’s locker room, adding, “Don’t be a f—ing stranger! You know where I am.”

Saraya will shift her focus to her new podcast, “Rulebreakers with Saraya,” which will feature interviews with various guests including AEW wrestler Harley Cameron and comedian Brad Williams. The podcast aims to showcase “the rebels, the misfits, the ones who refuse to take the easy way out,” as described in a trailer.

In addition to her podcast, Saraya has recently published a memoir titled “Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives,” detailing her wrestling career, personal struggles, and challenges.

Saraya began her wrestling journey in WWE, becoming the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion in 2013. After a successful tenure, which included winning the Divas Championship, her in-ring career was cut short in 2018 due to injury. She joined AEW in 2022, where she captured the AEW Women’s Championship in August 2023, marking a return to professional wrestling.