AEW Shocks Fans With Saraya Ex-WWE Paige Debut: Best Memes, Reactions

AEW fans were shocked to see Saraya, the former Paige of WWE, make her Dynamite: Grand Slam debut.

This year in professional wrestling has been wild with debuts and returns. For AEW, they had added some huge star power to their roster, especially in the women’s division.

At the Dynamite: Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY, Toni Storm retained her interim AEW Women’s World Championship after beating Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, in a fatal four-way match that also included Athena and Serena Deeb. After the match, Baker attacked Storm and Jamie Hayter, who were teasing a breakup with their stablemate, and Deeb attacked Athena.

The AEW fans in attendance erupted as they saw Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, take the stage and ring.

Paige then celebrated with Storm and Athena in the center of the ring while Baker, Hayter, Deeb and Rebel looked on in shock.

AEW CEO Tony Khan made it official on Twitter, announcing that Saraya had signed with the company. Nothing is more official than a Saraya is All Elite graphic.

Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, makes her debut in AEW: Best memes, tweets

Fans took to Twitter to react to Saraya’s shocking debut on one of the biggest AEW TV shows of the year.

Saraya became a free agent after her The contract with WWE expired on July 7th and announced that she would not re-sign with the company. Over two months later she is in AEW.

In 2011, Saraya signed with WWE and in less than three years she made her main squad debut. Her first Monday Night Raw appearance is memorable when she defeated AJ Lee for the Diva’s Championship. She won the title twice and wrestled until 2018.

Saraya had dealt with neck issues with the company towards the end of her tenure in the ring. In early 2018, she announced her retirement from in-ring competition after sustaining a neck injury. She remained with the company in onscreen roles, most notably as general manager of Friday Night SmackDown in 2018.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Saraya at AEW. Will she play her first match since 2017? Whatever the case, her debut got wrestling fans talking.

Be sure to keep FanSided updated for all yours WWE, AEW and pro wrestling coverage from unique analysis to funny angles to viral content and more.