Former WWE Divas Champion Paige recently revealed that her current WWE run could be her last in professional wrestling. She returned at WrestleMania 42 after nearly four years away from the company.
Speaking on Stephanie McMahon’s What’s Your Story? Podcast, Paige explained her mindset for this comeback. She wants to experience marquee matches that didn’t exist during her first WWE tenure.
“I came in this time with a mindset where I just want to be happy and have fun, because I don’t think I’m going to be wrestling after this run. I want to just enjoy my time that I have here, embrace absolutely everything, just enjoy the journey.”
Making Up for Lost Time
Paige specifically mentioned wanting to compete in Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches. These stipulation matches were not available to women during her original run.
“That’s all I care about. But I do want to finally be able to be in the Royal Rumble that I got to not be a part of and do the Elimination Chambers and do, you know, all these stipulation matches that were not around.”
One-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions recalled a bittersweet moment watching the first women’s Royal Rumble from backstage. She sat in Gorilla Position as the match began, unaware if she would ever get the opportunity to participate.
“I had to be backstage in Gorilla when the Royal Rumble just started, and no one knew I was retired by that point, you know? And so I just sat there and I was just really sad. It was bittersweet. I was happy that the girls finally got this big match that we didn’t have before. But I was sad because I wasn’t a part of it, and I didn’t know if I was ever going to be a part of it again.”
Return to WWE
Paige returned at WrestleMania 42, replacing Nikki Bella in the Women’s Tag Team Championship match. She teamed with Brie Bella to capture the titles.
The former champion was part of the WWE women’s revolution in 2015. A neck injury two years later forced her into early retirement from in-ring competition. She was medically cleared and wrestled Britt Baker at AEW Full Gear 2022, her first match in five years.
“To have this moment where I’m back in WWE, my neck is good, I’m wrestling again, and there’s opportunities for me to be a part of these stipulation matches. I mean, man, I’m really excited. I’m really excited for the next couple of years.”