Saraya recently opened up about missing the 2026 Royal Rumble and her renewed passion for wrestling during an interview with Wrestling With Freddie.
The former WWE and AEW star addressed viral training videos that sparked speculation about a surprise Rumble appearance. With 18 million views across platforms, the overwhelming fan support moved her to tears.
I cried one day because of it cuz I'm just like, I can't believe people still love me," Saraya said. "I thought I had lost all that support because of like all my controversy.
Missing Her Rumble Dream
During the conversation, Freddie Prinze Jr. revealed his vision of Saraya returning to WWE as a surprise Rumble entrant. The moment carried extra weight — WWE held the first-ever women's Royal Rumble shortly before she announced her career-ending injury in 2018.
Backstage footage from that historic event shows Saraya crying in Gorilla position, devastated to miss the match she'd dreamed of competing in.
I was backstage in Gorilla, and you know, I'm really emotional, and they have images of me backstage just crying, just being like, 'This is what I've always dreamed of,'" she recalled.
"So that video was viral as well, and everyone's just like hoping that I was gonna be in this Rumble that I finally get to be a part of that I've always dreamed of being a part of.
Regarding her absence from this year's match, Saraya made it clear the decision wasn't hers to make.
I wish I was part of it, but there's more to it. I mean, WWE has to make that decision, you know, not me.
Falling Out of Love With Wrestling in AEW
Saraya candidly discussed losing her passion during her AEW tenure, despite enjoying aspects of her time with the company.
I loved being in AEW. I had so much fun, but you know, the character I was doing, I wasn't too happy with, and I wish I could have done certain matches and certain things, and it didn't come to be," she explained. "I just kind of fell out of love with it.
That realization sparked her commitment to serious training starting in January 2025. "I need to be the Paige that I was in NXT, but better, you know? I can do it at 33 still. You know, I still got it."
Saraya last wrestled on a Title Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite in October 2024, losing a No. 1 Contendership Fatal 4-Way bout. She parted ways with AEW in March 2025.
Training For Potential WWE Return
The former NXT Women's Champion emphasized she's approaching her training with complete seriousness, not just for social media attention.
I started training in January, and I had told people I was going to start doing that months ago, and everyone thought I was just posting it for the Rumble. I was like, 'No, I've been telling you guys, training in January. I'm doing this,'" Saraya said.
She made a bold promise about the quality fans could expect if she returns to wrestling. "If I was to come back, I'll be better than you've ever seen me. I can promise you that."
Whether Saraya will get her long-awaited opportunity to compete in a women's Royal Rumble match remains to be seen, but she appears open to the idea if WWE reaches out.
