Wrestling fans are buzzing with excitement as reports confirm that Paige, one of the most influential figures in modern women’s wrestling, is set for a dramatic return to WWE at WrestleMania 42. The English star, whose real name is Saraya-Jade Bevis and who has also competed under the name Saraya in AEW, is expected to step back into the ring for the first time in WWE since her forced retirement in 2018 due to a devastating neck injury. Multiple sources, including PWInsider and Fightful, have verified that Paige has signed a new contract with WWE and was recently spotted participating in rehearsals for the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way match.
This anticipated return comes amid last-minute changes to the WrestleMania card, as Nikki Bella, one-half of the iconic Bella Twins, has not been medically cleared to compete after suffering an ankle injury several weeks ago on SmackDown. Paige is slated to replace Nikki Bella, teaming with Brie Bella in the high-stakes tag team showdown. The match, scheduled for Night One of WrestleMania 42 on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, will see the Bella Twins, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, and defending champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend battle for the coveted titles. The event will be streamed live on ESPN Unlimited in the United States, with the first hour airing on ESPN 2.
Paige’s journey back to the squared circle is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Norwich, England, on August 17, 1992, Paige was raised in a wrestling family. Her mother, Sweet Saraya, was a staple of the British independent scene, and Paige herself began wrestling as a teenager in promotions like Shimmer before making a splash in WWE’s NXT developmental system. Known as “The Anti-Diva” for her distinctive look and hard-hitting style, Paige quickly garnered a loyal following and became one of the faces of WWE’s women’s wrestling revolution in the early 2010s.
Her main roster debut was the stuff of legends: on the Raw after WrestleMania 30, Paige stunned the wrestling world by defeating Divas Champion AJ Lee in an impromptu match, capturing the title on her very first night. She would go on to become the youngest Divas Champion in WWE history at just 21 years old and later became the first-ever NXT Women’s Champion, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer.
However, Paige’s meteoric rise was interrupted by a series of injuries and personal struggles. In December 2017, during a tag team match at Nassau Coliseum, she suffered a neck injury after taking a kick to the back from Sasha Banks. The impact left her unable to move her legs temporarily, and WWE’s medical team ruled her out of in-ring competition in January 2018. “It was believed she had suffered a stinger that caused her to lose feeling in her extremities,” according to one report. The decision to remove her from the ring was devastating, especially after she had just returned from neck surgery earlier that year.
Paige’s 2017 was turbulent, marked by neck surgery, two WWE Wellness Policy suspensions, and the public leak of personal videos. Despite these setbacks, she remained a visible presence in WWE, transitioning to roles as SmackDown General Manager and faction leader before her contract expired in June 2022. Her story was even immortalized in the 2019 film Fighting With My Family, produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and starring Florence Pugh as Paige.
After departing WWE, Paige found new life in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she wrestled under her real name, Saraya. Cleared by doctors for in-ring action in late 2022, she made a surprise debut in AEW that September. Her AEW tenure was highlighted by a memorable victory at the 2023 London edition of All In, where she captured the AEW Women’s World Championship in front of a home crowd by defeating Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm, and Britt Baker in a four-way match. She continued to compete in AEW until March 2025, with her last match taking place in October 2024 against Jamie Hayter, Nyla Rose, and Willow Nightingale.
Now, at age 33, Paige’s return to WWE marks a full-circle moment not just for her, but for the entire women’s division. Like Edge and Daniel Bryan before her, Paige is defying the odds by returning from a career-ending injury—a scenario that seemed impossible just a few short years ago. The timing couldn’t be more symbolic, as the women’s division is also set to feature another returning legend, AJ Lee, who will defend the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Becky Lynch on the same card.
WrestleMania 42 itself is shaping up to be a blockbuster event, with a card loaded with marquee matches. Night One will see Cody Rhodes defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, Stephanie Vaquer put the Women’s World Championship on the line against Liv Morgan, and a six-man tag featuring social media stars IShowSpeed and Logan Paul. Night Two promises even more fireworks, including CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship and Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship. The legendary John Cena is set to host the festivities, and the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17.
As for the Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship match, the field is stacked with experience and star power. The Bella Twins, despite Nikki’s absence, remain fan favorites, while Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss bring championship pedigree. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria are a formidable duo, and Nia Jax and Lash Legend have proven themselves as tough champions. Paige’s addition to the match adds an unpredictable element—will she be able to shake off the ring rust and recapture her former glory?
While the final outcome of the match remains to be seen, one thing is certain: Paige’s return is already being hailed as a landmark moment for WWE. Fans around the world will be watching closely as she steps back into the ring, ready to write the next chapter of her storied career. With WrestleMania 42 just hours away, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Will Paige’s comeback inspire another revolution in women’s wrestling? The world is about to find out.