Saraya (Paige): A Pioneering Force in Women’s Wrestling
Saraya-Jade Bevis, known to the wrestling world as Paige, was born on August 17, 1992, in Norwich, England, into a family deeply rooted in professional wrestling. Her parents, Ricky Knight and Sweet Saraya, were both professional wrestlers, and her brothers, Roy and Zak, followed in the same path. Growing up surrounded by the wrestling industry, it was almost inevitable that Saraya would find her way into the ring. She made her wrestling debut at the tender age of 13 under the ring name Britani Knight, competing in her family’s World Association of Wrestling (WAW) promotion.
Saraya’s early years in wrestling were marked by a rapid development of in-ring skills. Her exposure to wrestling from a young age, coupled with the influence of her family, gave her a deep understanding of the business, both in terms of the athletic aspects and the storytelling elements crucial to professional wrestling.
The Move to WWE: Paige is Born
In 2011, Saraya signed with WWE, the world’s largest wrestling promotion. She began her WWE career in its developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which later rebranded as NXT. It was during this period that she adopted the ring name Paige, inspired by the character Paige Matthews from the television show Charmed.
Paige quickly made a name for herself in NXT, not only because of her in-ring abilities but also due to her unique persona. With her pale skin, jet-black hair, and gothic attire, Paige stood out in a roster that was still largely influenced by the Divas era, where female wrestlers were often more valued for their looks than their wrestling skills. Paige’s character was a breath of fresh air, presenting a more serious, no-nonsense competitor who was there to wrestle, not to be eye candy.
In 2013, Paige became the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion, defeating Emma in a match that is often credited with setting the stage for the Women’s Evolution in WWE. The match showcased Paige’s technical prowess, blending a mix of submission holds and strikes, demonstrating that women’s wrestling could be just as intense and compelling as the men’s matches.
Wrestling Style and Technique
Paige’s wrestling style is a hybrid of technical prowess, brawling, and submission grappling, making her one of the most well-rounded female wrestlers of her generation. Her in-ring technique was heavily influenced by her training in British wrestling, known for its emphasis on grappling and submissions, as well as the American style, which is more showmanship and character-driven.
- Technical Ability: Paige’s technical wrestling skills set her apart from many of her peers. She had a deep understanding of holds, counter-holds, and chain wrestling, which allowed her to control the pace of her matches. Her ability to transition smoothly between moves kept her opponents off balance and added a layer of unpredictability to her matches. Paige often utilized moves like snap suplexes, fisherman’s suplexes, and various pinning combinations that showcased her technical acumen.
- Submission Expertise: One of Paige’s most well-known moves is the PTO (Paige Tap Out), a modified Scorpion Crosslock. This move is a combination of a Boston crab and a double chicken wing, applying immense pressure on the opponent’s back and shoulders. The PTO is a visually impressive move that highlights Paige’s strength and her ability to lock in a submission that can end a match instantly. In addition to the PTO, Paige frequently used other submission holds like the guillotine choke and the leg trap sunset flip powerbomb, adding to her reputation as a submission specialist.
- Striking: Paige’s striking game was another significant aspect of her wrestling style. She employed stiff forearms, knees, and kicks that gave her matches a hard-hitting, realistic feel. Her running knee strike, often delivered with pinpoint accuracy to a seated opponent, became one of her signature moves. The intensity of her strikes helped convey the story of her matches, often making her the underdog who fought back with sheer aggression and willpower.
- Brawling: While Paige was known for her technical and submission skills, she was also adept at brawling. This aspect of her style was likely influenced by her early years in wrestling, where she competed in various independent promotions that often featured more hardcore, brawling-centric matches. Paige could hold her own in a slugfest, delivering and taking punches, and she wasn’t afraid to get physical outside the ring, using the environment to her advantage. This made her a versatile competitor who could adapt to different styles of matches.
- Ring Psychology and Storytelling: Beyond her physical abilities, Paige had a deep understanding of ring psychology and storytelling, which is the art of conveying a narrative through a wrestling match. Whether she was playing the underdog babyface or the ruthless heel, Paige knew how to engage the audience emotionally. Her facial expressions, body language, and timing were all tools she used to tell compelling stories in the ring. This ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level was one of the reasons Paige was so beloved by fans.
The Main Roster Debut and Immediate Impact
Paige’s debut on WWE’s main roster is the stuff of legend. On April 7, 2014, the night after WrestleMania 30, Paige made her debut on Raw, confronting Divas Champion AJ Lee. In a shocking turn of events, Paige defeated AJ to win the Divas Championship in her very first match on the main roster. This victory made her the youngest Divas Champion in WWE history at the age of 21.
Her victory sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe and solidified her as a force to be reckoned with. Paige’s reign as Divas Champion was marked by a series of intense rivalries, including those with AJ Lee, Naomi, and the Bella Twins. Each of these feuds showcased different aspects of Paige’s in-ring style and her ability to adapt to different opponents.
Paige’s rivalry with AJ Lee, in particular, is noteworthy for its intensity and the chemistry between the two. The matches were often a blend of technical wrestling and brawling, with both women pushing each other to the limit. Their feud was significant in that it helped elevate the Divas Championship to a level of prestige that it hadn’t seen in years, setting the stage for the Women’s Revolution.
The Role in the Women’s Revolution
Paige is often credited as one of the pioneers of the Women’s Revolution in WWE, a movement that sought to elevate women’s wrestling to the same level as men’s. Alongside other trailblazers like AJ Lee, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch, Paige helped to change the perception of women’s wrestling within WWE.
Her matches in NXT, particularly her bout against Emma for the NXT Women’s Championship, were pivotal in showing that women could deliver high-quality, main-event-caliber matches. This shift in perception was further solidified by her success on the main roster, where she continued to push the boundaries of what was expected from female wrestlers.
Paige’s influence extended beyond her in-ring work. Her unique persona, which was more aligned with alternative culture, appealed to a broader audience and demonstrated that female wrestlers didn’t have to fit into the cookie-cutter mold of previous eras. Paige’s success opened the door for more diversity in the women’s division, allowing for a wider range of characters and wrestling styles to flourish.
Challenges and Overcoming Adversity
Paige’s career was not without its challenges. Despite her early success, she faced numerous obstacles, both in and out of the ring. Injuries began to take their toll on her body, with her neck being a particular point of concern. In 2016, she underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc in her neck, which kept her out of action for several months.
In addition to her physical challenges, Paige also faced personal struggles. In 2016, she was suspended twice for violating WWE’s wellness policy, leading to speculation about her future with the company. During this period, Paige also faced a highly publicized hacking incident, where private photos and videos were leaked online, causing significant distress.
Despite these challenges, Paige showed remarkable resilience. She made her return to WWE in late 2017, leading a new faction called Absolution, alongside Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. However, her return was short-lived. In December 2017, Paige suffered a severe neck injury during a house show match, leading to her retirement from in-ring competition at the age of 25.
Life After Wrestling: A New Chapter
Although Paige’s in-ring career was cut short, she continued to contribute to WWE in various roles. She became the General Manager of SmackDown Live in 2018, a role that allowed her to remain a prominent figure on WWE television without the physical demands of wrestling. Her tenure as General Manager was well-received, with Paige bringing a sense of authority and fairness to the role.
Outside of WWE, Paige has pursued other ventures, including acting and streaming on platforms like Twitch. She has also been open about her struggles with mental health and addiction, using her platform to raise awareness and help others who may be facing similar challenges.
Paige’s life and career were the subject of the 2019 film Fighting with My Family, which chronicled her journey from a wrestling family in Norwich to becoming a WWE Superstar. The film was a critical and commercial success, further solidifying Paige’s status as a pop culture icon.
Legacy and Influence
Paige’s legacy in professional wrestling is undeniable. She was a trailblazer who helped usher in a new era of women’s wrestling, where female performers are given the same opportunities and respect as their male counterparts. Her unique
blend of technical wrestling, submission expertise, and striking ability made her one of the most well-rounded wrestlers of her generation.
Paige’s influence can be seen in the current generation of female wrestlers, many of whom cite her as an inspiration. Wrestlers like Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm, and Shotzi Blackheart have all mentioned Paige as a role model, particularly for her ability to stay true to herself and break down barriers in a male-dominated industry.
Her career, though cut short by injury, serves as a reminder of the physical and emotional toll that professional wrestling can take on its performers. Yet, it also highlights the resilience and determination required to succeed in such a demanding field. Paige’s story is one of triumph, adversity, and ultimately, redemption, making her one of the most compelling figures in the history of professional wrestling.
Saraya, known to the world as Paige, has left an indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling. From her early days in Norwich to her meteoric rise in WWE, Paige demonstrated a rare combination of technical skill, charisma, and toughness that made her a standout performer. Her contributions to the Women’s Revolution and her influence on the next generation of wrestlers ensure that her legacy will endure for years to come.
Paige’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself, both in and out of the ring. While her in-ring career may have been cut short, her impact on the industry is lasting, and her journey continues to inspire fans and wrestlers alike.
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