Saraya revealed that a male fan slapped her buttocks three times during a recent autograph signing in Chicago, and criticized security for failing to intervene in the moment. Speaking on the December 4 episode of her Rulebreakers podcast, the former AEW Women’s World Champion shared her frustration while discussing a broader pattern of fans crossing boundaries with female performers.
The conversation arose while Saraya and her guests were discussing Ariana Grande being accosted by a fan at the Wicked: For Good premiere.
Lately, I feel there’s been an influx of certain fans feeling way too comfortable to be grabbing on females,” Saraya said. “Just this past weekend in Chicago, a fan decided he wanted to slap my ass three times in a row because he thought it was funny, and security didn’t do a f**king thing.
Security only approached her after the incident had occurred.
They ended up coming up to me afterwards and were like, ‘Do you want us to escort him out?’ But it was already nearly done. It was just like—it’s too late in the day.
She was eventually assigned a dedicated security guard for the remainder of the event.
They did give me a security guard in the end and he was great, which is fine, but the fans are getting way too comfortable,” she said.
Not the First Incident
Saraya noted this was her second inappropriate fan encounter in 2025. “This is the second time this year a fan has touched me, tried to kiss me, and slap my ass,” she said, adding that while most fans are respectful, a recurring minority creates unsafe situations. “Nine times out of 10, all the fans are great, but you always get at least one per signing that gets a little too comfortable, a little too handsy, or thinks they have this parasocial relationship with you. But I feel like it’s happening to everyone.”
The 33-year-old’s comments add to a growing list of wrestlers speaking out about fan boundary issues in 2025. Rhea Ripley described a “scary experience” being mobbed by fans in Paris, CM Punk has addressed multiple fan incidents, Liv Morgan dealt with a stalker who was arrested at her home, and AJ Lee called out a fan who created an AI-generated video depicting them kissing.
Saraya has been a free agent since departing AEW in March 2025 and has not wrestled since October 2024. She recently revealed plans to resume in-ring training in January 2026.
