AEW shocks fans with debut of Saraya, formerly WWE’s Paige: Best memes, reactions

AEW fans were left in shock after seeing Saraya, the former Paige in WWE, make her debut at Dynamite: Grand Slam.

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

At Dynamite: Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY, Toni Storm retained her interim AEW Women’s World championship after pinning Dr. Britt Baker, DMD in a fatal four way match also including Athena and Serena Deeb. Following the match, Baker attacked Storm and Jamie Hayter, who teased a split from her stablemate, and Deeb attacked Athena.

AEW fans in attendance erupted when seeing Saraya, formerly known as Paige in WWE, walked onto the stage and into the ring.

Paige then celebrated with Storm and Athena in the middle of the ring, as 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, debuts in AEW: Best memes, tweets

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

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

Back in 2011, Saraya signed on with WWE, and in less than three years, she made her main roster debut. Her first appearance on Monday Night Raw is one to remember, as she defeated AJ Lee for the Diva’s Championship. She won the title twice and wrestled until 2018.

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

It will remain to be seen what the future holds for Saraya in AEW. Will she wrestle her first match since 2017? Whatever the case may be, her debut had wrestling fans talking.

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