Is a former WWE women's champion returning at WrestleMania 42?
A former women's champion has reportedly re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment -- and could already be in line to debut at WrestleMania 42.
Known as "Paige" in WWE and "Saraya" in All Elite Wrestling and other promotions, Saraya-Jade Bevis reportedly signed a new deal with the company that broke her into the spotlight more than a decade ago.
On top of this reunion, Paige could inherit active match duty by potentially replacing Nikki Bella, who's rumored to be injured and could miss the Women's Tag Team Championship fatal 4 way.
Following a successful career laden with gold but also shortened by injuries, Paige would be a welcomed returnee at the wrestling world's biggest event of the year. But should we believe rumors of her comeback?
Who is WWE's Paige?
Saraya-Jade Bevis was born in Norwich, England, on Aug. 17, 1992.
Her mother, known as "Sweet Saraya," was a well-known figure on the British independent wrestling scene.
Bevis rose to stardom in her early days as a teenager with Shimmer and other indie promotions before a true breakout in NXT, WWE's developmental and feeder system.
Known as "The Anti-Diva," she quickly earned a fan following for her unique style and wrestling approach. She was one of the originators of the early 2010s 'women's wrestling revolution,' due to her violent-looking and technically sound abilities that stood out from most other women in the WWE training pipeline.
She debuted in WWE on the Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania 30, defeating Divas Champion AJ Lee in a short impromptu match to win her first main-roster title immediately.
Is Paige returning to WWE at WrestleMania 42 to replace Nikki Bella?
The often-unreliable dirt sheets -- online wrestling rumor mills -- say Paige could return to take the place of her former in-ring rival and Total Divas co-star.
The Bella Twins have a place in the Fatal 4 Way match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss as well as Bayley and Lyra Valkyria to take on defending champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
Paige would have a lot of familiar faces and experienced opponents in the ring at the same time. In a multi-team tag match, Paige could hide or do little as she works her way back.
Of course, this spot could also go to Nattie, who has a long history with the Bellas and other competitors.
Regardless of Paige or Nikki Bella's status, I did not predict the Bella Twins to win during my WrestleMania 42 match picks roundup.
Why did Paige leave WWE?
Paige never retired from WWE, but the company did not renew her contract after its July 2022 expiration. She had been experiencing in-ring limitations and symptons from serious neck injuries that prevented WWE from clearing her to compete in matches.
She had long been an on-screen figure as a general manager before her departure.
Doctors cleared her for an AEW in-ring return in late 2022, and she remained with them until March 2025, after her contract expired. They parted ways on good terms.
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How many championships did Paige win?
She's won three main singles wrestling titles.
Paige was the first-ever NXT Women's Champion and won the WWE Divas Championship twice (defeating AJ Lee twice in 2014).
She also won the AEW Women's World Championship in front of her "home crowd" during the 2023 London edition of All In, defeating champion Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm, and Britt Baker in a four-way match.
Is this the same Saraya from the movie "Fighting With My Family?"
Yes, this is that same Paige.
She was portrayed by Florence Pugh in the ### movie produced by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson that dove into her family's history in the wrestling business.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 11:55 AM.