2-time WWE Divas Champion and the leader of the Women’s Revolution, Saraya-Jade Bevis better known by her ring name, Paige announced her retirement from pro-wrestling on RAW After Mania in an emotional speech that left the fans in tears.
The former Divas Champion said, “Unfortunately due to neck injuries I can no longer perform as an in-ring competitor. This is one of the hardest things I’ll ever have to say in my entire career.”
“I would like to thank every single female superstar back there today,” she continued.
“Be proud to be a part of this division. We have all built this division to be something huge – into something we didn’t imagine it could ever be,” she said.
Paige made her WWE main roster debut on April 7, 2014 at the same arena in New Orleans on RAW After Mania (WrestleMania XXX) congratulating then-Divas Champion, AJ Lee on her successful title defense the previous night at WrestleMania. AJ Lee slapped Paige challenging her in an extempore match with the Divas Title on the line. Paige successfully defeated AJ Lee in that match to become the youngest WWE Divas Champion at the age of 21. The leader of the Women’s Revolution has a combined Divas Championship reign of 121 days.
Paige underwent surgery following a match against Sasha Banks in a WWE Live Event in New York which caused her to miss the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match on January 28, 2018 and led to speculations that the female superstar would not wrestle again.
Paige hasn’t wrestled since taking a kick to the back in December, 2017. She also cut ties with her former fiancé, Alberto Del Rio in December, 2017.
A leader. An icon. A trailblazer.@RealPaigeWWE is the #WomensEvolution. #ThankYouPaige #RAW #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/IhUB02VZsj
— WWE (@WWE) April 10, 2018
Her emotional retirement speech was received with “Thank You Paige” as the entire arena in New Orleans boomed into “Thank You Paige” chants. Paige further went on to say that it will “always be her house” and that she was “going to have to go and find something else” outside of wrestling.
The Women’s Locker Room and fans flooded social media paying their tributes to the Leader of Absolution.
— MELLA I$ MONEY (@CarmellaWWE) April 10, 2018
Thank you for the revolution. Thank you @RealPaigeWWE. We love you #RAW
— Queen Cathy (@catherinekelley) April 10, 2018
You’ve done so much for women’s wrestling at such a young age and accomplished so much @RealPaigeWWE . This is heartbreaking. #ThankYouPaige
— The Man (@BeckyLynchWWE) April 10, 2018
Thank you @RealPaigeWWE for being one of my all time favorite opponents I’ve ever worked with in the ring. I’m so proud of you for being so strong but I’m also so excited for so many incredible opportunities coming your way. You’re a star and you were born to shine! I ? you! pic.twitter.com/L1erOWqdlO
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 10, 2018
— Lana Day (@LanaWWE) April 10, 2018
Feelings are bittersweet right now .. @RealPaigeWWE has been such a mentor to me since the day I got here. She is insanely talented and I know whatever chapter is to follow will be just as amazing as this one. ? thank you Paige! #ABSOLUTION
— Daria Berenato (@SonyaDevilleWWE) April 10, 2018
Nooo…@RealPaigeWWE
I really appreciate your kindness.
It’s thanks to you that I am who I am today.#ThankyouPaige#Respect#RAWAfterMania https://t.co/knY1JsVENe— KAIRI SANE⚓️ (@KairiSaneWWE) April 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWEAleister/status/983518068348420097
— LIV Morgan ?? (@YaOnlyLivvOnce) April 10, 2018
