Former WWE/AEW star Saraya took to Instagram today to mark a major personal milestone, celebrating seven years of sobriety. The announcement comes at a pivotal moment in her career, as she is currently one of the most prominent free agents in professional wrestling.
In her social media post, Saraya shared a message of gratitude and pride with her followers. “7 years of sobriety! 🥹,” she wrote. “Not gonna do my usual long ass post about it but I will say how incredibly proud I am of myself and I couldn’t have asked for a better life than I have right now. I have the perfect gaggle of people around me, I’m incredibly grateful and lucky ❤️”
A Journey of Resilience
The milestone is a significant marker in Saraya’s well-documented journey, which has seen her overcome numerous personal and professional obstacles. Her struggles with substance abuse and the mental health challenges that accompanied a career-threatening neck injury in 2017 were highly publicized. Her path to sobriety has been a central part of her story of resilience, inspiring many fans along the way.
That neck injury, sustained during a WWE live event, forced Saraya (then known as Paige) into an early retirement from in-ring competition at just 25 years old. She remained with WWE in non-wrestling roles, including serving as the General Manager of SmackDown, before her contract expired and she departed the company in July 2022.
AEW Run and Free Agency
In September 2022, Saraya made a surprise debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and shortly thereafter, it was announced that she had been medically cleared to return to the ring after nearly five years. Her run in AEW saw her compete regularly and eventually capture the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In at Wembley Stadium in August 2023. Her contract with AEW expired in August 2025, and she once again entered free agency.
What’s Next?
As a free agent, speculation has been rampant about Saraya’s next move, with many fans hoping for a return to WWE. Saraya herself has not ruled out the possibility, often stating in interviews a “never say never” attitude. A potential return would see her working under the creative direction of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who was instrumental in her initial rise as the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion.
For now, Saraya is celebrating a personal victory that stands as a testament to her strength and perseverance. Healthy, sober, and in full control of her career, her next chapter is one of the most anticipated stories in wrestling. Check out her Instagram post below.
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