Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, has targeted current WWE star Rhea Ripley for a potential future match, noting the two have a history that could lend itself to an “edgy” stipulation. Saraya parted ways with AEW earlier this year and has spoken openly about a possible in-ring return to WWE. She cited the beginning of the “Divas Revolution” as a period when she missed out on certain opportunities, which she would like to rectify by facing Ripley.
A Desire for an Edgy Match
Speaking to PokerScout, Saraya looked back at the early stages of the “Women’s Evolution” (which she referred to as the “Divas Revolution”) in WWE, noting that her career was cut short before she could participate in gimmick matches that are now commonplace. She signed with WWE in 2009, but her in-ring career was unexpectedly halted by a severe neck injury that first occurred in 2016 and led to her retirement in 2018. Saraya spoke about her desire for an extreme match with Ripley.
“It has to be Rhea Ripley. When I was in WWE, we had just started getting the ball rolling with the Divas Revolution. So the matches like the Elimination Chamber and the Royal Rumble and stuff like that was only just starting to happen. So I didn’t get the opportunity to do those, at least in WWE anyway.”
She then suggested a stipulation that would fit her dark persona and Ripley’s hard-hitting style. “So I feel like it would be fitting for me and Rhea to do an Extreme Rules match or something like that. Something edgy for us!”
WWE Career Cut Short
Saraya’s first neck injury occurred in 2016, leading to surgery later that year. While she attempted a comeback in November 2017, a subsequent neck injury the following month led to her permanent retirement after WrestleMania in 2018. She was eventually cleared for an in-ring return in 2022, after which she signed with AEW and became the Women’s World Champion. She has since departed AEW and, while not currently scheduled for any matches.
