Paige: Top Moments From Her Wrestling Career

In a shocking turn of events, we learned Paige will not be medically cleared to compete; thus, ending her WWE wrestling career. As we say goodbye to Paige’s in-ring time, we look back at the memorable moments she created in a short time.

First NXT Women’s Champion

A funny wrestling story is that Paige’s mom did not know she pregnant at the time and was competing while her baby was in the womb. So, Paige has basically been wrestling her entire life. Let us jump ahead to 2013, when NXT was still new and they were missing a women’s champion. WWE used their top NXT superstars and some names from the main roster to construct a tournament. Paige defeated Emma in the finals to become the inaugural champion. She held it for 308 days, making her the second-longest reigning female champion in NXT history. She never even lost the lost as JBL striped it away since she recently won the Divas Championship. Clearly, WWE had lots of faith in Paige’s future.

Winning Divas Championship During Debut

We knew Paige was coming to WWE’s main roster and she did not disappoint in her debut. AJ Lee was easily the top female superstar at the time and an unknown Paige confronted her inside the ring the night after WrestleMania. We got an impromptu match, where Paige ended AJ’s reign to capture the title. Instantly, she was being seen as a top star and some believe Paige started the Divas Revolution. When WWE does one of those Top 10 shocking moments involving the Divas Championship, Paige toppling AJ should be somewhere in the Top 5.

Teaming With AJ Lee At WrestleMania 31

Heading into WrestleMania 31, AJ Lee had a major secret. After a year of speculation that she would retire from the business, she did so and few people probably knew. CM Punk knew, but WWE officials were not aware. If WWE knew that AJ was leaving, she would have been pinned in her final match. Instead, AJ & Paige defeated The Bella Twins and about a week later WWE confirmed that AJ left the company. It was a little sneaky on AJ’s part and fans never got to say farewell. Still, it is rare that a superstars leaves WWE with a win. After a program that lasted a year, it was fitting for Paige & AJ to share the ring one more time.

Getting Hacked & Downfall

Paige had some major moments in her career, but about 18 months were filled with troubling news. First, Paige suffered a back/neck injury and failed back to back Wellness Policy tests over the summer months to get suspended twice. She eventually got the surgery, which also set her back months. During that time, Paige had personal images and videos leaked online; plus, she had a turbulent relationship with Alberto El Patron. The couple was always in the news for fighting, which saw them end their engagement several times and even had a police report filed over a possible domestic violence issue.

Return After Injury

After everything negative that happened with Paige, many questioned if WWE would even bring her back. They could have released Paige or paid her the rest of her WWE contract to sit at home until it expired. She got rid of Alberto El Patron and returned to RAW with some allies. With Absolution by her side, Paige started to pick apart the women’s division for several weeks. The group had some recent setbacks heading into the first Women’s Royal Rumble Match; which some thought Paige would win. After everything that Paige went through, she returned and the fans still accepted her. The acceptance proved that everyone makes mistakes and can be forgiven if they truly mean it.